Samsung Display has reportedly taken a major step toward supplying components for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, with a new report claiming the company has officially started OLED panel production for the device.

Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone, widely expected to launch as the iPhone Ultra, is currently anticipated to debut in September. Earlier reports suggested that Samsung Display had been selected as the exclusive supplier of foldable OLED panels for the project, and the latest information indicates production is now moving forward.

According to the report, Samsung Display received approval to begin manufacturing after achieving production yields exceeding 80%, a key milestone for large-scale panel production. The company’s facility in Vietnam has reportedly already commenced operations to support the upcoming device.

Apple is said to have requested an initial production run of approximately 3 million foldable OLED panels this year, signaling confidence in the launch plans for its first foldable smartphone.

Previous reports indicated Apple would use Samsung Display’s M14 display stack, but the latest information suggests the company has instead selected the newer M16 luminescent material. The upgraded display technology is reportedly capable of delivering higher brightness levels, improved color accuracy, greater power efficiency, and enhanced long-term durability.

The foldable OLED panels are also said to feature Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology, a display solution designed to improve efficiency while helping reduce panel thickness, an important factor in foldable device design.

Although Apple has yet to officially confirm any details regarding its foldable iPhone plans, reports of panel production beginning suggest development is progressing steadily. If the rumors prove accurate, the iPhone Ultra could become one of the company’s most significant product launches in recent years, marking Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone segment.