Apple is preparing to bring a new type of OLED screen to its upcoming iPhone Fold and iPhone Air 2 models, using advanced technology developed by Samsung.
This new display method is called CoE, which means Color Filter on Encapsulation. It is designed to make screens thinner, lighter, and much brighter than the ones used right now.
Normally, OLED displays use an extra polarizer layer to reduce reflections and improve color contrast, but that layer also adds thickness and blocks some of the light, which reduces overall brightness.
With CoE, the color filter is placed directly on the protective encapsulation layer. Because of this change, the screen no longer needs the polarizer. Removing the polarizer lets more light pass through the OLED panel, which results in higher brightness without using extra battery power. It also helps make the device slimmer.
Samsung has already used a similar approach called OCF, or On-Cell Film, in its own foldable phones. This method is important for foldables because they need thin screens, strong brightness, and good power efficiency due to limited internal space.
Reports from South Korean publication The Elec say that Apple is very interested in using CoE for its next devices because it works perfectly for very thin phone designs. The iPhone Fold is expected to be the first Apple device to feature this technology, likely launching alongside the iPhone 18 series in late 2026.
This would position it as one of the top premium devices of the year. The iPhone Air 2 could follow in 2027, which also marks the 20th anniversary of the first iPhone. Apple is expected to use this display upgrade to make the device even slimmer while keeping it lightweight and powerful.
Samsung is also planning to launch its own CoE-based screen in the Galaxy S26 Ultra early next year, giving Samsung a lead before Apple introduces the feature. This type of technology gives phone makers more freedom to design thinner models without reducing battery life or screen quality.
Even though supply chain plans can sometimes change, the introduction of CoE panels could play a big role in shaping the future of foldable phones and ultra-thin flagship devices for both Apple and Samsung.