Is Samsung manufacturing the screen for the iPhone Duo? Why has Apple been accused of copying?

Apple has finally joined the race for foldable smartphones with the launch of its first foldable device, the iPhone Duo. Samsung is a veteran in the foldable smartphone space, having launched its first foldable model nearly six years ago. Now, Samsung has taken a dig at Apple for its late entry into this market, not only mocking the delay but also accusing the company of copying ideas.

Following the launch of the iPhone Duo, Samsung shared a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter). Samsung took a jab at Apple for arriving late to a trend that Android companies have been driving forward for years. The post that garnered the most attention read: "Let us know when you're done reusing our old ideas." In another post, Samsung wrote, "This all looks familiar.

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In yet another post, Samsung stated, "Kept us waiting? That's okay. We're here with a tri-fold phone." Through this, Samsung highlighted that while Apple is introducing its first foldable phone, other companies have already moved beyond that to work on innovative designs like tri-fold screens. Samsung also poked fun at the phone's accessories in one post, while another simply read, "So far, so same."

When did Samsung launch its foldable smartphone?
The primary reason behind Samsung's taunts is its significant head start in the foldable phone market. The South Korean company launched its first Galaxy Fold in 2019. Since then—over the past seven years or so—companies like Google and Motorola have also launched various foldable phones alongside Samsung. These companies have also gradually mitigated many of the issues associated with foldable phones. Early models faced significant challenges such as screen creases, fragile hinges, and excessive weight; over time, manufacturers have endeavored to address these shortcomings.

Does the iPhone Duo feature a Samsung display?
According to the South Korean outlet *The Korea Herald*, Apple has entrusted the responsibility of manufacturing the foldable display component exclusively to a single supplier: Samsung Display. Consequently, the iPhone Duo’s supply chain profile is somewhat unique. While Apple continues to source essential components globally, replacing the component most critical to this new form factor with a non-Korean alternative would be an extremely difficult task.

Citing an official from the Korean display industry, reports suggest that without Samsung Display’s foldable panel, the phone's foldable design would not be feasible. This crucial component—central to the new foldable design—is difficult to source or replace outside of South Korea. However, this does not mean Apple is simply purchasing off-the-shelf screens from Samsung for its phones; rather, the company manufactures the screens according to Apple’s specific requirements and design, after which Apple designs the rest of the phone to integrate with that display.

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