Apple has for the first time publicly explained Samsung Display’s role in the iPhone Duo’s foldable screen, saying the panel is a custom-built OLED made to Apple’s specifications rather than a pre‑built, off‑the‑shelf part.
During an interview with YouTuber MrMobile (Michael Fisher), Rich Dinh, Apple’s VP of Hardware Engineering, and JP Guillou, Senior Director of Display Technology, described how Apple defines internal design goals and the desired end‑user experience before taking those requirements to manufacturing partners such as Samsung. They said that, despite similar screen sizes, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the iPhone Duo do not use identical panels.
iPhone Duo display: custom design, not off‑the‑shelf
Guillou explicitly stated that the iPhone Duo does not use a pre‑built OLED panel from Samsung Display; instead, Apple commissioned a custom part built from the ground up to meet its strict requirements, because standard OLED panels from vendors do not meet those standards. Some reports claim Apple has a three‑year exclusive deal with Samsung Display for the iPhone Duo’s foldable screen.
The executives also addressed durability and camera choices. The iPhone Duo carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and uses an under‑display camera (UDC) on the inner folding screen to offer a more expansive, uninterrupted view, accepting some sacrifice in camera quality to achieve that goal. While Samsung has used UDCs on earlier Galaxy Z Fold models, it has not achieved an IP68 rating for its foldables, the Apple executives noted.
Apple said the iPhone Duo includes functionality similar to Flex Mode, a feature that the source Galaxy Z Fold 8 leaves out in its standard model and reserves for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The iPhone Duo’s folding screen also applies a more aggressive matte finish than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to make the crease less visible. By contrast, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 is substantially lighter and thinner, and is significantly cheaper, including repair costs.
The source material also referenced Samsung Display’s “Crease‑less” foldable OLED panel showcased at CES 2026, while underscoring that Apple’s iPhone Duo panel is a distinct, custom design.
