Samsung and LG gear up for possible industry boom following Apple's first foldable OLED MacBook in 2025-26

Rumors of Apple's foldable plans are not exactly new. While it looks like we may not be seeing a foldable iPhone anytime soon, rumors about Apple's plans of introducing a foldable iPad and even a 20-inch MacBook are not unheard of.

BusinessKorea is reporting that Apple is in talks with display manufacturers including Samsung Display and LG Display. The Cupertino-giant is apparently planning a 2025 announcement for a foldable MacBook and a 2026 launch time frame.

Currently, the Asus ZenBook 17 Fold OLED is the only foldable OLED on the market, but it uses a BOE panel. Apple's foray into the foldable laptops segment, even if it's a niche product, will certainly provide the impetus for other OEMs to follow suit. Therefore, suppliers are pumping a lot of money to cater to the mushrooming foldable laptop market.

According to the Korean publication, Samsung Display has invested 4.1 trillion won or US$3.1 billion for producing OLED panels between 2025 to 2026. LG Display, too, is investing in medium-sized OLEDs for tablets and laptops. Both companies are "coordinating development and production plans for foldable OLED panels for laptops". 

Samsung Display owns the trademark for foldable OLEDs, so the first foldable MacBook can be expected to sport a Samsung panel. The report notes that foldables for laptops are more profitable than foldables for smartphones owing to the larger screen sizes of the former. Apple's impetus could see the Korean OLED manufacturers make a decent profit.

Buy the 2022 Apple MacBook Air M2 on Amazon