On February 2, CNMO learned from Korean media that Apple is considering releasing a folding screen device that is "7-inch late to 8-inch early (literally, it can be understood as about 8 inches)". The product is expected to be launched as early as 2026-2027. There are also observations that this product has the potential to become Apple's first folding screen device, which may replace the 83-inch iPad mini model.
According to industry insiders, Apple is considering launching a folding screen product of about 8 inches. If the launch of the product is confirmed, it will be Apple's first foldable screen device. It is reported that Samsung Display and LG Display have respectively submitted 6-7 inch folding screen panel samples to Apple last year.
For the folding screen products that Apple is considering, the industry** it will be a folding screen iPhone or folding screen iPad model. Product properties and specifications have not yet been finalized.
It is reported that the starting point of Apple's folding screen products is to replace 83-inch iPad mini model. In the current iPad lineup, 8The 3-inch mini model is the smallest. But there is also an opinion that Apple's folding screen products will not be a replacement for the iPad mini, because Apple is also working on an OLED development project for the iPad mini model.
The prevailing view in the iPad mini industry is that if Apple decides to mass-produce folding panels by 2026, only Samsung Display will respond. This is because Samsung Display has the advantage of providing panels for Samsung Electronics for folding screen phones released in 2019 for several years, accumulating mass production experience.
On the other hand, since Apple's folding screen product specifications have not yet been determined, and Apple will not develop folding screen panels with Samsung Display alone, LG Display has been developing folding screen panels with Apple since Apple's first folding screen product, and there is speculation that it will achieve final mass production.
In addition, there is news that Apple is preparing for 20The release date of the 25-inch folding screen product is expected to be later than the aforementioned folding screen products. Korean media speculate that if Apple releases its first OLED iPad this year and a folding screen product around 2026-2027, then it is expected that OLED MacBook and 20 will be launched next25-inch folding screen products.