Samsung Display is developing a new foldable-panel technology called center-etched thin glass (CTG) that could reduce crease visibility and improve screen durability on Galaxy Z devices, according to tipster Ice Universe on X.
Samsung’s foldable displays have evolved from colorless polyimide (CPI) to ultra-thin glass (UTG). Compared with CPI, UTG delivers a flatter, smoother surface, reduces crease visibility and increases durability. Still, UTG falls short of a conventional smartphone cover glass: the crease can remain visible under certain conditions, and the surface is not as hard or as smooth as traditional cover glass, limiting both premium feel and long-term durability.
How CTG could improve foldable displays
Unlike UTG, which uses a single uniform thickness across the glass sheet, CTG is designed to give different sections of one sheet different thicknesses and physical properties. Under that approach, non-folding areas would remain thicker to maximize strength, produce a flatter, smoother glass-like surface and improve durability, while the folding section would be made thinner to enhance flexibility. In theory, that combination would make the display stronger and smoother overall, make the crease less visible and reduce stress on the folding area to help prevent microcracks over time.
Manufacturing challenges and outlook
Developing CTG at the scale required for mass production is an extremely demanding engineering challenge. Manufacturing a single sheet of glass with varying thicknesses and material properties must be executed precisely; otherwise it could produce inconsistent surface texture, uneven reflections and optical distortions. Because of those technical hurdles, CTG is not expected to arrive in Galaxy Z phones imminently. If Samsung Display can overcome the production challenges, CTG could represent the next major advance in foldable-display technology.
