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At CES 2026, Samsung Display quietly stole a lot of the spotlight with a foldable panel that appears to eliminate the telltale crease. Images shared by a well-known tipster show a prototype that could reshape expectations for foldable phones from Samsung and even Apple.
A foldable that looks truly crease-free
Photos circulated by Ice Universe of Samsung's new panel suggest the company has dramatically reduced—the company says "minimized"—the visible fold line that has dogged foldable screens for years. Imagine opening a phone and seeing an almost seamless sheet of glass where a crease used to interrupt the view. That’s what these early images promise.
Prototype tech, real improvements
This isn’t just cosmetic. The new panel reportedly pairs the reduced crease with higher overall panel quality. Manufacturers have long battled the trade-offs between thin flexible materials and long-term durability; Samsung’s demo hints at progress on both fronts. Still, remember these are prototype photos from a trade show—commercial performance and long-term reliability remain to be proven.
Under-display camera and other features
Alongside the crease improvements, the display appears to include an under-display camera (UDC). That means a cleaner full-screen canvas without the usual punch-holes or notches. Early reports say the UDC and image quality have been improved compared with earlier under-panel attempts, though optical transparency and camera clarity often require production tuning.
Who might use this panel?
Speculation jumped quickly: the tipster suggested this panel could be destined for an "iPhone Fold" if Apple opts to source from Samsung Display. It could also land on Samsung’s own foldable devices—possibly the Galaxy Z Fold8 or the rumored Wide Fold—if Samsung MX decides the price premium is worth it.
- Apple: Apple has reportedly explored foldable designs for years; a crease-free Samsung panel would be an obvious option if Apple wants a high-quality foldable without developing the entire supply chain itself.
- Samsung: Samsung could adopt the panel for premium Galaxy foldables, though internal cost considerations will factor into any rollout timeline.
In short, the demo at CES 2026 gives a clear signal: foldable hardware is still evolving, and the next generation may finally address one of the most visible drawbacks. But until these panels move from the show floor into high-volume production, cautious optimism is the right stance.
Source: gsmarena
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