

Quick Summary
Reports from China suggest that Apple is having issues with foldable OLED panels.
It is claimed that displays provided by Samsung aren't holding up to Apple's strict testing standards.
There has been a lot of recent talk about Apple working on its own foldable devices, but it seems that the company has suffered a setback. New reports claim that it has suspended plans due to an issue with bendable displays.
An influential tech blogger from China claims that Apple has had to press pause on its foldable iPhone tests due to problems with the OLED panels – they don't meet Apple's strict standards.
"The project has been temporarily suspended because displays failed the screen tests," wrote Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo.
"Apple's requirements are too high and require folding screens to pass display [standards], which is really difficult."
He goes on to suggest that the panels that have been used so far are manufactured by Samsung, with one even breaking within "a few days".
Samsung, of course, has no such issues with its own foldable phones.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 have both been commended for their durability. However, it also doesn't come as a surprise to learn that Apple isn't at that level yet. After all, Samsung has been releasing foldables for more than half a decade.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
It could be that it's not the OLED panels at fault, but the hinge design.
Either way, a foldable iPhone now seems a long way off. We doubt we'll see a foldable iPad mini any time sooner, neither.
That was always more likely to appear first anyway, with rumours pointing to a larger form factor for Apple's first folding device.
In the meantime, there are plenty of excellent folding phone rivals on the market today, with several more on the horizon. Mobile World Congress starts this coming weekend and we expect a couple of new devices, at least.
Tecno plans for a Galaxy Z Fold 5 rival, for example, in the shape of the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2. We'll bring you all the news from the show as it happens.

Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.
Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.
-
Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam review: solid performance for always on use
The always-on appeal of the Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam is a big draw, but this affordable model also delivers some irritations
-
Android phones are getting a Dynamic Island... sort of
Android 16 is bringing an iPhone feature to millions of phones
-
Android phones are getting a Dynamic Island... sort of
Android 16 is bringing an iPhone feature to millions of phones
-
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses under threat from an old rival – have two years to prepare for battle
Will they be as stylish though?
-
Google Maps gets an iPhone update that'll become an everyday essential for many
This will make trip planning much easier
-
You'll have to wait for iPhone 18 Pro for Apple's rumoured under-display camera, but it could be worth it
The rumoured design is totally mid-2010's Android and we love it
-
iPhone 18 Air already in development, says expert – and it'll come with a big screen upgrade
There's a long life ahead of Apple's new slim handset
-
I tried Apple’s fastest Mac and it blew my mind
How much faster really is the Mac Studio M3 Ultra?
-
iPhone gets a major AI update, but not from Apple Intelligence
It comes from a major rival
-
I must admit, if the iPhone 17 Air is this thin I'd never stop worrying
Newly leaked images show an iPhone that's so slim I'd be concerned about breaking it