Apple (AAPL.US) “folding screen blueprint” released: folding iPhones equipped with ultra-thin glass are expected to ship 25 million units in 2027

The Zhitong Finance App learned that consumer electronics industry analysts generally expect Apple (AAPL.US) to release iPhone and iPad smart devices with folding screens starting in 2026. At the same time, an Apple industry chain analyst who has received widespread investor attention believes that these upcoming foldable smart devices will all use so-called “ultra-thin glass.”

“General Interface Solution (GIS) is collaborating with Corning (GLW) — the exclusive supplier of iPhone's original rawUTG (ultra-thin flexible glass) to take charge of and manage the post-production process.” Guo Mingyi, an analyst from TF International Securities (TF International Securities), said in a recent blog post. “The general processes for these back-end steps that GIS is responsible for include cutting, edge/corner treatment, inspection, inner/outer packaging, and shipping.”

Guo Mingyi added that General Interface Solution (GIS) has received a so-called “exclusive role” to help make Apple's ultra-thin glass, and related contributions will begin next year. Guo Mingyi focuses on “fruit chain” and consumer electronics industry research, and has accurately predicted Apple's next-generation iPhone, iPad and other product line updates many times.

Guo Mingyi said that ultra-thin glass is “highly sensitive” to cracks at the edges, as well as to particles and stress, which makes it more difficult to manufacture than traditional smartphone glass. It's also more expensive, probably two to four times that of traditional smartphone glass. Once Corning has finished processing, it will send the glass to its large cutting base to be cut to the exact size of the folding screen iPhone, and then sent to the panel factory for lamination and lamination.

Despite related supply chain and manufacturing process issues, Guo Mingyi said that Apple management and consumer electronics industry analysts seem very confident about the sales prospects of the folding screen version of the iPhone.

Guo Mingyi said that expectations for the latest Apple folding screen smartphone devices have risen sharply. The shipping forecast for 2026 has risen significantly from the previous 6 million to 8 million units to 8 million to 10 million units, and is even expected to be in the 2027 shipment range of about 20 million to 25 million units, far higher than the previous market forecast of 10 million to 15 million units.

The analyst added that the folding screen iPad is expected to ship approximately 500,000 to 1 million units in 2028.

Apple is scheduled to release the latest version of the iPhone series products and other new Apple products on September 9.

What is “raw UTG” (raw UTG)? Why did Apple choose Corning and GIS to create ultra-thin glass?

UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) is a special type of ultra-thin glass that can be bent. The thickness is usually tens of microns. After chemical strengthening and post-processing, a very small bending radius can be achieved. It is used as an “inner screen cover/cover substrate” layer for folding screens. Corning (Corning) and SCHOTT (SCHOTT) are among the leaders in this field.

“Original UTG” refers to an uncut, untrimmed, and unlaminated glass masterpiece/substrate produced by an upstream glass factory; after that, “post-processing” processes such as cutting, edge treatment, inspection, packaging and shipping are required, and then left to the panel factory to complete lamination (lamination) and stacking with the whole machine. According to Guo Mingyi's latest research report, Corning is the exclusive supplier of the “original UTG” for iPhone folding models, and General Interface Solution is responsible for the ultra-thin glass process described above.

Compared with ordinary cover glass, UTG is more afraid of edge cracks and concentration of particles and stress. These microdefects become the starting source of cracks during repeated folding, directly affecting life and yield, so cutting and chamfering/polishing are particularly critical, which is the value of “post-processing”. In order to achieve the unification of the four elements of “glass feel + folding life + low crease + high yield”, folding screens place significantly higher requirements than traditional covers for uniformity/strengthening depth of the UTG body, clean cutting and stress management in the back section, and lamination and coating systems.

Compared to traditional covers, UTG has a longer process, higher cost, and more sensitive yield. In Apple's history, before mass production of a new type of product, it is common to “unpack and manage” the key points of raw material-back-fit, and research and iterate with leading suppliers with global mass production capabilities.

The “crease visibility” and “crease rebound” of folding screens are related to glass thickness, stress distribution, adhesive/OCA and module lamination strength. To achieve small creases, low orange peel, low birefringence, and maintain high transmittance/low haze, it is necessary to start with the uniformity and residual stress of the original UTG, and complete cutting, trimming, stress relief, and bonding in an ultra-clean environment in the later stage. Apple's consistent standards for display and touch (including potential demand for brush/handwriting, anti-fingerprint and anti-reflective coating uniformity) mean that the material and process window must be narrower.

Panels in a folded form are most afraid of point impact + bending load superposition, and fine edge cracking is the primary cause of failure; therefore, edge treatment and chemical strengthening depth/distribution are critical processes. Apple introduced the division of labor “Corning for the original UTG+ GIS to be responsible for post-processing”, precisely to control edge strength/microfracture to a replicable level of mass production.