I've tested the latest folding phones and this is what Apple has to do to really stand out
It's probably not what you think
Apple's entry into the folding phone market is already causing a stir. The iPhone Ultra is thought to arrive with a slightly different format, with every expectation that Samsung will launch a competitor device of its own in the coming weeks.
While we'll have to wait until September to see Apple's model, there's no shortage of devices to choose from. I've been testing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Honor Magic V6 and Motorola Razr Fold which will be among the iPhone Ultra's biggest rivals and there's one area where Apple really needs to improve on the experience.
That comes down to the display, but it's not - as many will suspect - anything to do with the crease. All folding phones have creases, they're all noticeable when you run your finger over the centre of the display, but only really visible when viewing from a strange angle or when the display is off.
That's because brightness makes the display look flatter. From the first-gen folding phones, through to these latest models - some in their seventh iteration - I've felt the same about the crease.
No, my problem with folding phone displays is how poorly they compare to traditional smartphone screens and indeed their own exterior display.
The challenge facing the iPhone Ultra's folding screen
When Apple's faithful pick up the iPhone Ultra, they're undoubtedly going to marvel at the slick folding design. Just hand someone a Galaxy Z Fold 7 and they'll do the same. Samsung's industrial design, with its thin and light build, really is remarkable.
The first instinct is to open these phones, where iPhone users will be greeted with a familiar interface. Whether it looks like the iPhone or looks more like iPadOS remains to be seen, but it's here that the big difference to the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be obvious.
I don't mention the iPhone 17 Pro Max by accident: I really believe that iPhone Ultra is going to appeal to those who like a big screen. But the big difference is what that screen looks like.
Across the Motorola, Honor and Samsung phones - all of which are flagship models - the structure of the display is basically the same. Samsung's screen comes from Samsung Display, while Moto and Honor both turn to BOE Technology for their screens, but they all have the same problem.
And that comes down to the top polymer layer.
Folding screen protection needs to change
Before Samsung launched its first folding phone in 2019 there was a lot of talk about ultra thin glass. The assumption was that flexible glass would be the top layer that you touch when using the phone. But that's not the case: instead, you're touching and looking at a polymer (plastic) layer.
This is designed to protect the folding display, which isn't as robust as typical smartphone screens. When these phones arrive in their boxes, you're told not to remove it as that can void the warranty.
They can be removed and on some of the folding phones I have tested that top layer separates (often at the fold) after some months of use. Some people tear off this layer against advice, but the manufacturer doesn't recommend it. Once removed, you'll find it's just a plastic sheet.
On an iPhone 17 Pro you have Ceramic Shield 2 (co-developed with Corning), on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra you have Corning Gorilla Armor 2 and both are undeniably strong, they shake off fingerprints and they dissipate reflections, which is something that folding phones struggle with.
As I've been testing the latest folding phones and comparing them to existing models, I've spent a lot of time cleaning the screens, noting the reflections in brighter conditions and finding that the visual quality of the folding screen doesn't match the outer screens.
Flexible displays do not look as flat, as solid or as sharp as glass, and some of that comes down to that top polymer layer.
Of the phones I've seen recently, the Honor Magic V6 seems to handle reflections a little better, while it also looks brighter and flatter.
This is where Apple can improve the experience: for all the clever engineering that goes into the hinge of these phones, the careful packing of internal components to give long battery life in a slim design, the constant cleaning, increased reflections and loss of sharpness is what everyone sees because of that film protecting the screen.
The folding iPhone UItra is expected to launch in September 2026.
