iPhone Ultra: the secret behind the foldable screen without a visible crease

The very first foldable iPhone should finally be released at the end of 2026, a delay compared to the competition explained by Apple's desire to offer a "perfect" product, notably devoid of the visible crease that disfigures screens at the fold. iPhone Ultra: Apple aims for perfection with a crease-free screen despite mechanical constraints. We have already reported several times on the technical details that will allow us to achieve such a level of quality. The firm Trendforce recently mentioned a new area of development on this subject that could be exploited by Apple, but also by its competitors. Until now, to reduce stress on the screen and avoid the visible crease, manufacturers of foldable smartphones have focused on evolving the hinge, in order to better distribute the tension on the screen. While Apple mentions this aspect in its patents, the company also refers to the specific materials used for the screen itself, an additional factor in slowing its deformation from repeated folding. iPhone Ultra: a material that fills micro-defects and reduces light dispersion. The iPhone Ultra could thus utilize a new technology called Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA), used as an adhesive between the layers that make up a screen. New versions of OCA behave more like a flexible shock absorber, remaining soft during folding and helping to redistribute stress across the screen surface. This results in slower screen wear over time, limiting the formation of a visible crease. Furthermore, the material's movement fills micro-imperfections over time, reducing light dispersion on the screen, another factor that causes unsightly creases.