Apple has entered an exclusive supply agreement with Samsung Electronics for folding displays used in its iPhone Duo foldable phone. Under the contract, Samsung receives $250 for each main folding panel installed in the device, according to reports from leaker Instant Digital shared on Chinese social network Weibo.
The supply deal extends for three years and covers the current iPhone Duo model as well as any foldable iPhone models Apple releases during that period. Samsung secured the exclusive contract after Apple determined that no other manufacturer could meet its requirements for the flexible display technology.
LG Display, a key Apple screen supplier, lacks the capability to manufacture flexible screens at the required specifications. BOE Technology Group, which supplies folding panels to Huawei, was considered but Apple rejected its version as insufficient for its standards. Samsung emerged as the only supplier meeting Apple's technical requirements.
The $250 per-panel cost covers only the folding display component and does not include additional expenses for assembly, testing, or the cover display. The production complexity of the flexible screen contributes to the higher cost compared to standard iPhone displays.
The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable phone, designed with a book-style format that provides an outer screen when closed and a larger flexible panel when opened. The device is planned to start at $1,999 and features an inner panel built for higher brightness, extended usable life, and a minimized crease.
Samsung has been manufacturing foldable phones since 2019. The company's latest model, the Galaxy Z Fold8, features a 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch inner display, matching the inner screen size of Apple's Duo but weighing 201 grams compared to the iPhone Duo's 254 grams.
