Apple pays Samsung $250 per foldable panel in exclusive iPhone Duo deal

Apple has reportedly signed a three-year exclusive supply agreement with Samsung Display for the foldable OLED panels used in its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo. The deal, first reported by Chinese leaker Instant Digital and later corroborated by Korean industry officials, makes Samsung Display the sole provider of the critical component that enables the device's folding form factor. Under the agreement, Apple is said to be paying Samsung approximately $250 for each inner foldable OLED panel. This high per-unit cost reflects the advanced technology involved, including Samsung's latest M16 OLED material set, which is described as a native 10-bit panel using blue phosphorescent material for improved efficiency. The iPhone Duo's inner display is constructed with the OLED panel sandwiched between two layers of Ultra-Thin Glass and custom viscoelastic adhesives. The iPhone Duo was unveiled by Apple at a starting price of $1,999. Industry analysts note that the exclusive supply arrangement creates a significant dependency for Apple on a single Korean supplier for its most innovative component.