According to the latest display industry research from TrendForce, the foldable phone market is expected to see Apple (AAPL.US) enter the competition as early as the second half of 2026, drawing attention to related technological innovations. Optimization of the screen crease is shifting from reliance on hinges and support structures—a "mechanical counteraction" approach—toward "stress management engineering" centered on material layering. Crease management has become a core metric for evaluating a brand’s display technology integration capabilities. TrendForce estimates that, leveraging its brand image and consumer anticipation, Apple will capture nearly 20% of the foldable phone market share by 2026, compressing the combined share of Samsung and Huawei to around 30%. From Samsung’s demonstration of a crease-free phone panel at CES 2026 earlier this year to OPPO’s recent launch of the Find N6, marketed with a "seamless fold" claim, expectations for crease improvement and breakthroughs in material technology are clearly rising.

The crease issue originates from the neutral layer in the panel's laminated materials deviating from key structural positions, leading to excessive tensile stress in localized areas. This stress concentration can cause micro-cracks or permanent deformation. Addressing this challenge hinges on precise control of stress distribution and neutral layer positioning within the multi-layer structure. Analysis of the new generation of foldable phones reveals that Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) is no longer just a surface protective layer. Through non-uniform thickness design and chemical strengthening processes—referenced in Apple’s patents—the folding area can be precisely compressed to enhance bendability, while non-folding areas maintain greater thickness for impact resistance.

However, the key breakthrough for foldable screens in 2026 lies in the evolving role of Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA). OCA is not merely an optical bonding material; through elastic modulus design and material composition optimization, it can also exhibit significant viscoelasticity. Elastic modulus reflects a material’s ability to resist deformation under stress. Optimized OCA helps adjust the panel’s mechanical response: during slow bending, the material remains soft to reduce fatigue stress, while under sudden external force, its modulus can temporarily increase to provide localized support. Through these mechanisms, OCA helps stabilize the neutral layer’s position, significantly reducing stress concentration during folding. Additionally, OCA possesses micro-flow characteristics that can fill microscopic unevenness in the folding area caused by long-term use, further reducing optical scattering and minimizing the visual perception of the crease.

TrendForce notes that although material technology leads crease improvement, mechanical structures still play a critical role. For example, OPPO’s Find N6 incorporates precision machining and 3D printing to greatly enhance the hinge flatness of the support structure. Polymer materials are then used to fill structural gaps, avoiding localized suspension and stress concentration, thereby ensuring stable deformation of the flexible display material through repeated folding. As for the metal support plate behind the screen, supplier Samsung Display has adopted laser drilling to reduce pore spacing in the bending area, balancing rigid support with improved flexibility to deliver a visually seamless folding experience.

Overall, the key to crease improvement has shifted from hinge design to the coordinated interplay of material modulus, thickness distribution, and stress release. This transformation, driven by materials science, represents the final stretch toward achieving a "crease-free" visual experience.