iPhone Fold might have the upper hand over Galaxy Fold7 in this key area, but not for long

According to a recent report by the well-known Apple and industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the upcoming foldable iPhone, likely to be named the iPhone Fold, will apparently boast a major upgrade over the foldable smartphones that currently populate the market segment.

To be specific, the iPhone Fold might sport a display that is completely "crease-free", thanks to a metal plate that will help alleviate the 'bending stress' that is the primary reason behind foldable display creases. Without it, repeated bending creates stress concentration zones along the fold line of the display, resulting in visible creasing found in modern foldables, including the latest Samsung Galaxy Fold7 (pre-order at $1,999 on Amazon).

The report adds that Samsung Display will be supplying the custom crease-free foldable displays to Apple, which might imply that the next major update to Samsung's Galaxy Fold lineup, possibly the Fold8, will also sport crease-free designs. Apple's iPhone Fold is rumored to hit the scene sometime later next year at the earliest, which indicates that the Fold8 might indeed launch with this display tech before the iPhone.

Of course, Apple's plans are always subject to change. It is a well-known fact that, unlike its software, Apple likes polishing its hardware to the maximum before releasing it to the public. As indicated by Mark Gurman, the iPhone Fold will pack admirable hardware improvements compared to current-gen foldables, including a much higher-quality hinge.

A recent report also reveals that the iPhone Fold might have a lower cost to manufacture than previously thought, which may or may not trickle down to the end consumer. Either way, how Apple manages to price its much-awaited foldable iPhone will likely dictate the extent of its success.