Apple's Entry into Foldable Smartphones Could Capture Approximately 20% Market Share; Stress Management Emerges as the Key to Reducing Creases, Says TrendForce

TAIPEI, April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TrendForce's latest research on the display industry reveals that the foldable smartphone market is expected to see Apple enter as early as the second half of 2026, drawing significant attention to related technological advancements.

Notably, efforts to reduce display creases are shifting from traditional mechanical solutions—relying on hinges and support structures—to a materials-driven approach centered on managing structural stress. Crease mitigation has become a key benchmark for evaluating a brand display's integration capabilities.

TrendForce estimates that Apple, leveraging its strong brand positioning and consumer anticipation, could capture nearly 20% market share in 2026, compressing the share of competitors such as Samsung Electronics and Huawei to around 30% each.

Industry developments highlight growing expectations for crease reduction and material innovation. At CES 2026, Samsung showcased a crease-free display panel, while OPPO recently introduced the Find N6, marketed with a "virtually crease-free" design.

Creases originate from the misalignment of the neutral layer within the panel stack, which causes localized tensile stress, leading to micro-cracks or permanent deformation under stress concentration. The core solution lies in precise control of stress distribution and neutral layer positioning within the multilayer structure.

In next-generation foldable devices, ultra-thin glass (UTG) is no longer just a surface protection layer. As indicated in Apple's patents, a variable thickness design combined with chemical strengthening allows the folding area to be locally thinned at the bending axis to improve bendability, while non-folding regions retain greater thickness for impact resistance.

However, the key breakthrough for foldable displays in 2026 lies in the evolving role of optically clear adhesive (OCA). No longer limited to a bonding function, OCA now exhibits pronounced viscoelastic properties through optimized modulus design and material composition.

Since elastic modulus determines a material's resistance to deformation under stress, an optimized OCA enables dynamic modulation of the panel's mechanical response. It remains soft during gradual bending to reduce fatigue stress, while under sudden external force, its modulus temporarily increases to provide localized structural support.

OCA uses these mechanisms to help stabilize the neutral layer and significantly reduce stress concentration during folding. Its micro-flow characteristics also allow it to fill microscopic irregularities formed over long-term use, reducing light scattering and further minimizing the visible crease.

TrendForce notes that while material innovation now leads crease reduction, mechanical structures remain critical. For example, the OPPO Find N6 incorporates precision machining and 3D printing technologies to enhance hinge flatness, while polymer materials fill structural gaps to prevent localized suspension and stress concentration, ensuring stable deformation during repeated folding.

Meanwhile, for the metal support plate behind the display, Samsung Display has adopted laser drilling technology to reduce hole spacing in bending areas, achieving a balance between structural rigidity and flexibility, and enabling a near crease-free visual experience.

Essentially, the key to crease improvement has shifted from hinge design to the synergistic optimization of material modulus, thickness distribution, and stress release. This transition, driven by material science, marks the final milestone toward achieving a truly "crease-free" foldable display.

For more information on reports and market data from TrendForce's Department of  Display Research, please click here, or email the Sales Department at DR_MI@trendforce.com.

For additional insights from TrendForce analysts on the latest tech industry news, trends, and forecasts, please visit https://www.trendforce.com/news/.

About TrendForce

TrendForce is a global leader in technology industry analysis and consulting services. With deep expertise spanning foundry, DRAM, HBM, NAND Flash, AI servers, robotics, near-eye displays, display panels, LEDs, MLCC, and green energy, it also offers in-depth research into key market drivers such as AI, automotive  technologies, 5G/6G communications, LEO satellites, and the IoT.

Backed by a team of top industry professionals, TrendForce has been at the forefront of global market research for over 25 years. More than 60% of its clients are among the world's top 500 companies.

TrendForce's global footprint includes Taipei, Shenzhen, Silicon Valley, New York, and Tokyo. With timely and strategic industry analysis, TrendForce delivers the critical information that empowers businesses to make smarter, faster decisions.

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Apple's Entry into Foldable Smartphones Could Capture Approximately 20% Market Share; Stress Management Emerges as the Key to Reducing Creases, Says TrendForce

Apple's Entry into Foldable Smartphones Could Capture Approximately 20% Market Share; Stress Management Emerges as the Key to Reducing Creases, Says TrendForce

HONG KONG, April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lingnan University today, 13 April, hosted its University Assembly with guest of honour Prof Arieh Warshel, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry in 2013 and widely recognised as one of the founding figures of computational chemistry. In his lecture Electrostatic Basis of Biological Actions, Prof Warshel shared insights from his decades of research and presented an integrated account of his life's work, from fundamental physical principles and the laws governing electrons to the construction of the "microscopic world" of biological systems. He further extended this framework to the study and application of biomolecules, and highlighted the role of computational tools and artificial intelligence in advancing medical and pharmaceutical research.

The University Assembly was held in the Chan Tak Tai Auditorium on the Tuen Mun campus. There was an audience of around 600 people, including Lingnan's senior management, staff, students, and young scholars.

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University, warmly welcomed Nobel Chemistry Laureate Prof Warshel, in honour of his visit to engage with Lingnan students and learn about the University's latest developments. He said, "Leading scholars are a cornerstone of Lingnan's competitiveness and help drive the University's academic development and international exchange. Following Nobel Laureate in Physics Prof Samuel C.C. Ting's joining Lingnan, we are delighted to host world-class scholar Prof Warshel at one of our signature academic events. This initiative enhances the campus internationalisation, providing faculty and students with invaluable opportunities to interact with outstanding scholars and to advance interdisciplinary inquiry. It not only inspires students to combine frontier research with societal needs, but also facilitates the translation of research outcomes into practical applications that deliver tangible benefits for society and sustainable development."

In his lecture Electrostatic Basis of Biological Actions, Prof Warshel provided a systematic overview of more than four decades of research on biological reactions. He also shared how his interest in chemistry began. When he first entered university, he was uncertain about his academic direction. Encouraged by a friend who recognised his keen observational ability, he chose to study chemistry, a decision that sparked his lifelong passion for the field.

Prof Warshel is best known for developing multiscale molecular modelling of complex chemical systems, enabling the simulation of biomolecular systems and protein reactions at multiple levels. This work transformed the understanding of biochemical processes and led to his award of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2013.

Prof Warshel guided the audience from fundamental physical principles, tracing the development from classical theories such as Maxwell's equations and energy models to modern computational approaches. He emphasised that the key to understanding the complexity of biological systems lies in translating microscopic electronic interactions into macroscopic dielectric environments. The electrostatic models he pioneered have enabled scientists to calculate electrostatic free energy within proteins with remarkable precision.

These computational approaches have advanced the understanding of enzyme catalysis and the molecular basis of cancer-related mutations. Enzymes, as highly efficient natural catalysts, accelerate reactions not primarily through mechanical strain, but through electrostatic preorganisation that lowers activation barriers. Using the Ras protein (Rat sarcoma protein) as an example, Prof Warshel explained that mutations can disrupt electrostatic balance in GTP hydrolysis (Guanosine Triphosphate hydrolysis), leading to uncontrolled cell growth and contributing to tumour formation.

The influence of electrostatic interactions extends beyond reaction rates to energy transport and macromolecular dynamics in living systems. Processes such as proton transfer within cells and ion transport across membranes are governed by electrostatics. At the molecular level, systems such as ATP synthase (Adenosine Triphosphate synthase) operate under strict electrostatic constraints. These insights have been applied to the study of complex biological processes, including protein folding and cardiac hypertrophy.

Prof Warshel concluded that the missing link between the structure and function of biological macromolecules lies in electrostatic interactions. This highlights the fundamental role of physical principles in biology and underscores the importance of electrostatics in guiding future developments in precision medicine and bioengineering.

During an in-depth discussion session with students and faculty, Prof Warshel encouraged young people to pursue excellence, and integrate knowledge and translate it into a meaningful contribution to society.

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Nobel Chemistry Laureate Prof Arieh Warshel speaks at Lingnan University Assembly