Samsung basically just told us when the folding iPhone is going to ship

Since Apple hasn’t commented on rumors or said anything that would make anyone believe that the folding iPhone is actually a thing, we have to rely on rumors and speculation to learn about the company’s plans to release a folding iPhone. But a major supplier of iPhone displays might have just spilled the beans.

In a report by ChosunBiz in South Korea, Samsung Display president Lee Cheong announced that it is making “preparations for mass production of OLED for foldable phones to be supplied to a North American client.” Later on in the article, the reporter claims that “Samsung Display is known to be the exclusive supplier of OLED to be installed in Apple’s foldable phone to be released next year.”

Cheong also said that “The second half (of the year) is when key clients release flagship new products,” which aligns with Apple’s annual iPhone event in September. Without mentioning Apple by name, it certainly sounds like Cheong has confirmed that the folding iPhone will be available next year. There aren’t many other companies big enough to warrant an announcement like this other than Google, which already makes a folding phone and has no reason to be secretive.

Apple recently released the iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone the company has produced. There’s a perception that the iPhone Air is essentially half of a folding iPhone; stack two iPhone Airs together, and you basically have a closed folding iPhone. Reports have said that the folding iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch internal display, and a 5.5-inch external display that’s used when folded.

And if you want one, start saving now, because it’s expected to be very expensive.