Las Vegas, January 2026 — Samsung Display showcased a crease-less foldable OLED panel at CES 2026, addressing one of the most persistent limitations of foldable smartphones and reinforcing its lead in flexible display technology.
The new panel, demonstrated alongside Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z TriFold device, drew significant attention on the show floor and received top honors from several technology outlets. Analysts said the display breakthrough could accelerate wider adoption of foldable devices later this decade.
Crease-Less OLED Display Nears Commercial Readiness
The centerpiece of Samsung Display’s presentation was its Advanced Crease-less OLED prototype, branded internally as Mont Flex with LEAD technology. The panel uses laser-drilled metal support plates combined with a redesigned optical clear adhesive layer to evenly distribute folding stress across the screen.
Hands-on demonstrations showed no visible crease, even under direct lighting or from off-axis viewing angles. Reviewers noted that text and images flowed smoothly across the fold, resembling a traditional flat glass display rather than a flexible panel.
Samsung Display also highlighted durability testing, including impact demonstrations using automated robotic systems. Company representatives indicated the technology is production-ready and could debut commercially as early as the Galaxy Z Fold 8, expected in mid-2026.
Industry sources say Apple is closely monitoring the development and may adopt similar panels for a first foldable iPhone, which has reportedly been delayed until a crease-free solution becomes viable.
Galaxy Z TriFold Expands Foldable Form Factors
Samsung Electronics also displayed the Galaxy Z TriFold, a tri-fold smartphone-tablet hybrid that launched in South Korea in late 2025 and is expected to reach additional markets, including the U.S., in early 2026.
The device unfolds into a roughly 10-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, using three folding segments. While two fold lines remain visible, they were described by reviewers as subtle and less distracting than earlier foldable designs.
Samsung said the TriFold supports three-app split-screen multitasking and targets productivity use cases alongside media consumption. Hardware specifications include a thin unfolded profile of approximately 4mm, a 5,400mAh battery, IP48 water resistance, and a 200-megapixel camera system.
Early hands-on reviews characterized the device as bulky but functional, noting improvements in software optimization and build quality compared with earlier experimental foldables.
Implications for the Foldable Market
Analysts said Samsung’s CES 2026 announcements signal a shift from experimental foldables toward more mature, consumer-ready products. Eliminating the visible crease has long been considered critical to broader acceptance of foldable phones, particularly at premium price points.
With flexible display manufacturing yields improving and competition expected from Apple and Chinese smartphone makers, Samsung’s latest developments may help define the next phase of the foldable market.
CES 2026 underscored Samsung’s continued dominance in flexible display technology, even as the category moves closer to mainstream adoption.
