Advances in optically clear adhesive (OCA) technology are expected to play an important role in Apple’s efforts to minimize the display crease on its first foldable iPhone, which is widely anticipated to launch later this year, according to industry research firm TrendForce.
OCA is a specialized material used to bond display layers together while maintaining high optical clarity. In foldable devices, it is particularly important because it helps preserve display quality while also influencing how visible the crease appears where the screen bends.
According to TrendForce, improvements in this adhesive technology could allow Apple to achieve a significantly smoother folding display surface, potentially resulting in a near-invisible crease—a long-standing challenge in foldable smartphone design. Reducing or eliminating the visible fold line has been one of the biggest technical hurdles for manufacturers working on foldable OLED devices.
Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone is expected to focus heavily on both durability and display refinement, and advancements in materials like OCA are seen as a key component in reaching that goal. If successful, these improvements could help Apple differentiate its device in a market where crease visibility remains a common drawback among existing foldable smartphones.
While Apple has not officially confirmed details about the device, ongoing supply chain reports suggest development is progressing, with display technology and material engineering playing a central role in the final product design.
A new report from supply chain intelligence firm TrendForce highlights the key technologies expected to shape Apple’s first foldable iPhone, with a particular focus on how the company may achieve a significantly reduced—or even near-invisible—display crease.
According to the report, creases in foldable displays are primarily caused when internal layers of the panel become misaligned during repeated bending. This misalignment concentrates mechanical stress along the fold area, which can eventually lead to micro-cracks, visible deformation, or a permanent crease over time.
One of the key materials involved in addressing this issue is ultra-thin glass (UTG). Apple’s patent filings have previously described display designs where the glass is engineered with varying thickness—thinner at the fold area to improve flexibility, and thicker in other regions to enhance durability. This approach aligns with earlier reports suggesting Apple has been testing uneven-thickness display structures, as well as more recent speculation that a dual-layer glass system could be used to distribute stress more evenly across the panel.
However, TrendForce emphasizes that the most critical component in reducing crease visibility is optically clear adhesive (OCA). Modern OCA formulations go beyond simple bonding between display layers. Instead, they are engineered to remain flexible during gradual bending while also temporarily stiffening under sudden impact, helping to maintain structural stability. Over time, these adhesives can also flow into microscopic surface irregularities, reducing light scattering and making the crease less noticeable to the human eye.
Structural engineering of the hinge mechanism is also a crucial factor. For example, Samsung Display has used laser-drilled metal support plates behind foldable panels to better balance flexibility and rigidity. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously reported that Apple’s foldable design may adopt a similar approach through supplier Fine M-Tec. Meanwhile, Samsung has demonstrated a crease-free foldable display concept at CES 2026, though it later clarified that the technology remains in the research and development stage rather than being ready for mass production.
Apple is reportedly taking an aggressive approach to display refinement, with sources claiming the company is aiming to eliminate the crease “regardless of cost.” Leaker Fixed Focus Digital has also suggested that Apple’s production targets include a crease depth of under 0.15mm and a crease angle of less than 2.5 degrees, indicating a strong emphasis on minimizing visible distortion.
Market projections from TrendForce estimate that Apple could capture close to 20% of the foldable smartphone market in its first year, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape and putting pressure on established players such as Samsung and Huawei, each of which currently hold significant market share.
Production timelines also appear to be taking shape. The foldable iPhone is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September. Reports indicate that Foxconn has already begun trial production, while Samsung Display is expected to start mass production of OLED panels for the device as early as May, signaling that Apple’s long-rumored entry into the foldable market may finally be approaching reality.