Apple's foldable iPhone, iPad likely to have ultra-thin glass: analyst

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is expected to release a foldable iPhone and iPad in the next couple of years, and a widely-watched analyst believes the upcoming devices will have ultra-thin glass.

“[General Interface Solution] is collaborating with Corning (GLW), the exclusive supplier of raw UTG for the iPhone, to manage the backend processes,” TF International Securities' analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a blog post. “These steps include cutting, edge/corner treatment, inspection, inner/outer packaging, and shipping.”

Kuo added that General Interface Solution had secured an “exclusive role” to help create the ultra-thin glass, with contributions set to start next year. 

Ultra-thin class is “highly sensitive” to cracks on the edges, as well as particles and stress, making it harder to create than conventional smartphone glass. It's also more expensive, with costs likely between two and four times higher than conventional glass, Kuo said. Once Corning works on it, it will send it to its cutting facilities to be sized for the foldable iPhone and then sent to the panel maker for lamination.

Despite the issues related to it, Apple appears confident in the selling prospects of the foldable iPhone. The company recently revised its shipment forecasts for the device to between 8M and 10M devices in 2026, up from a previous estimate of 6M to 8M, Kuo said. It also now expects shipments in 2027 to be between 20M and 25M, up from a previous forecast of 10M and 15M.

The foldable iPad is estimated to ship between 500,000 and 1M units in 2028, the analyst added.

Apple is set to announce the latest version of the iPhone on Sept. 9.