Samsung used CES 2026 to quietly demonstrate a foldable display that addresses one of the category’s most persistent weaknesses: the visible and tactile crease. The panel, shown privately to attendees and later highlighted by industry leaker Ice Universe, appeared smooth even when viewed from an angle, with no obvious fold line at the center. That detail alone makes the display notable, as creases remain a common compromise across current foldable phones.
The display also incorporates under-display camera technology, further reducing visual interruptions on the panel. According to Ice Universe, overall panel quality was described as excellent, suggesting the solution goes beyond cosmetic improvements and into structural changes in how the display folds and distributes stress. While Samsung has not published technical specifications, the absence of a crease even under side lighting points to changes in the internal support layers rather than surface treatment alone.
BREAKING！
— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) January 6, 2026
Samsung showcased a foldable display with no visible crease at CES 2026.
The panel looks excellent in terms of overall quality and also adopts under-display camera technology. Most importantly, there is no crease at all.
This display technology is expected to be used… pic.twitter.com/BuL1gke9AZ
Speculation has quickly linked this technology to Apple’s long-rumored foldable phone. The display shown by Samsungis widely believed to be a candidate for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, often referred to as the iPhone Fold. Apple has long been rumored to be working closely with Samsung Display on next-generation panels, and reports over the past year have suggested Apple was unwilling to enter the foldable market until the crease issue could be meaningfully reduced.
The iPhone Fold is expected to debut in September 2026, alongside other flagship models from Apple. Current rumors point to a book-style design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, with a roughly 5.5-inch outer display and an internal screen approaching 7.8 inches. The under-display camera demonstrated at CES aligns with speculation that Apple plans to hide a 24MP front-facing camera beneath the main foldable panel.
Other rumored design choices suggest Apple may simplify biometrics by removing Face ID in favor of Touch ID integrated into the power button, a solution already used on recent iPad models. Power is expected to come from a battery in the 5,400mAh to 5,800mAh range, reflecting the higher energy demands of a larger, dual-screen device. Pricing rumors place the device well above current iPhone models, with estimates starting around $2,400.
Foldable creases have been tolerated by many users but rarely embraced. On book-style devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line, the crease runs vertically and can be both seen and felt. On flip-style phones, it runs horizontally across the center. Various engineering solutions have been explored over the years, including redesigned hinge systems and reinforced internal plates. Some reports point to laser-drilled metal support layers as one method for allowing the screen to fold without forming a permanent groove.
If the display Samsung showed at CES 2026 can scale reliably to mass production, it could represent a turning point for foldable phones. Whether it appears first in a Samsung device, an Apple product, or both remains unclear. What is clear is that reducing or eliminating the crease removes one of the most obvious barriers to wider foldable adoption, especially among users who have so far viewed the form factor as an interesting but compromised alternative to conventional smartphones.
