Reports suggest that Apple is considering using polyimide film to manufacture the iPhone Fold foldable phone to enhance screen durability.

Apple is considering using polyimide (PI) film as a protective layer on the ultra-thin glass (UTG) surface for its foldable iPhone planned to be released later this year, according to Korean media outlet TheElec.

Sources say that Apple is currently evaluating two options: PI film and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film. However, it is more likely that Apple will ultimately choose transparent PI film.

In comparison, Samsung currently uses a “UTG glass + PET film” combination for its foldable phones. In fact, when Samsung launched the first Galaxy Fold in 2019, it used PI material. It wasn’t until the second generation that Samsung switched to PET. Compared to PI, PET has advantages in transparency and visual clarity but is less durable.

Therefore, if Apple opts to pair PI film with UTG, it is likely to differentiate itself from Samsung in terms of foldable screen structure and material combination. PI film costs more than PET but offers higher surface hardness and better scratch resistance.

In terms of supply chain, Korean manufacturer Kolon Industries is believed to have the opportunity to become a supplier of transparent PI film. The company refers to its product as “colorless PI.” Kolon Industries had already established a PI film production line before 2020. However, as UTG has become the mainstream solution for foldable screens, the use of PI film has significantly decreased and is now only used in a few models. For comparison, Samsung’s initial Galaxy Fold in 2019 used PI film supplied by Sumitomo Chemical of Japan.