Published: January 10, 2026
A new wave of supply-chain reporting is putting display technology—not cameras or chips—at the center of Apple and Samsung’s next big smartphone moves. The headline idea: Apple’s long-rumored iPhone Fold could debut a next‑gen OLED stack called CoE (Color Filter on Encapsulation), and that same tech may later enable a more refined iPhone Air 2—potentially timed for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary year. Meanwhile, Samsung is expected to bring its own version of the tech to mainstream flagships, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra rumored as the first non‑foldable Galaxy to adopt it.
Key takeaways
- CoE OLED reportedly removes the polarizer film, making displays thinner, brighter, and more efficient.
Apple is said to debut CoE on the iPhone Fold (possibly late 2026) before expanding it to a 2027 iPhone Air 2.
The iPhone Air 2 is rumored to address the first Air’s biggest criticisms with a second rear camera and better battery life, helped by a thinner display stack.
Samsung may use the tech first in a “bar” flagship: Galaxy S26 Ultra, with launch timing rumors pointing to late February for the announcement and March 11 sales in parts of Europe.
CES 2026 also added fuel to the foldable narrative after Samsung Display showcased (and then removed) a crease‑free foldable OLED concept—exactly the kind of display Apple’s foldable is rumored to chase.
What is CoE OLED—and why are Apple and Samsung so interested?
In today’s OLED smartphone displays, a polarizing film typically sits above the panel to reduce reflections and improve contrast. The downside: that film can also absorb some of the OLED’s own light, reducing brightness and efficiency.
CoE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) is described as a redesign of that stack:
- The polarizer is removed.
- The color filter is applied directly to the OLED’s encapsulation layer (the protective top layer of the OLED stack).
- Some reporting also notes a switch to a black Pixel Define Layer (PDL) to help maintain OLED’s contrast characteristics after removing the polarizer.
The practical result, if the reporting holds: a thinner display assembly that lets more light pass through, meaning manufacturers can hit the same (or higher) brightness while using less power—or use that saved space and efficiency budget for other hardware.
Samsung’s internal term for a related implementation is often cited as OCF (On‑Cell Film), and multiple outlets say Samsung already uses a version of this approach in its foldables—where thinness and battery constraints are especially unforgiving.
iPhone Fold: the rumored “first CoE iPhone” (and Apple’s biggest 2026 hardware swing)
Today’s reporting converges on one idea: Apple’s first foldable iPhone—often referred to as iPhone Fold—is where Apple could introduce CoE OLED first. MacRumors, citing a Korean industry report, says Apple plans to debut CoE with its foldable iPhone, which could launch as soon as late 2026.
Mainstream coverage today also reinforces that 2026 window. Fast Company writes that Apple is expected to launch a foldable iPhone this year and frames it as one of Apple’s “big 2026 plans,” describing a book-style design.
India Today’s January 10 update similarly points to a fall 2026 target and repeats the common rumored sizing: around 5.5 inches on the outside and ~7.8 inches inside (tablet-like when unfolded).
The crease-free angle: CES 2026 adds a real-world clue
Foldables live or die on the display experience—especially the crease. At CES 2026, Samsung Display showed a foldable OLED prototype that appeared to lack the obvious center crease seen on current foldables. The Verge reported the panel was an R&D concept with no confirmed commercialization timeline, but its very existence aligns with multiple iPhone Fold rumors calling for a “crease-free” display.
That matters because Samsung Display is widely expected to be a key supplier for Apple’s foldable display efforts, and a credible “crease-free” concept is the kind of technology bridge Apple would likely demand before entering the category.
iPhone Air 2: a 20th anniversary sequel designed to fix the “thin phone compromises”
The iPhone Air concept has been positioned as Apple’s thin-and-light statement phone—yet the trade-offs (especially battery and cameras) have remained a recurring theme in coverage.
Now, multiple outlets say Apple is considering an iPhone Air 2 that’s not just thinner, but better balanced—potentially arriving in 2027, the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone launch in 2007.
NotebookCheck reports that Apple is preparing a sequel “designed specifically” for that anniversary year, and that the company has asked display suppliers Samsung and LG to support the plan with new OLED tech.
Two upgrades readers keep asking for: camera and battery
One of the most consistent rumored fixes is straightforward: add another rear camera.
- 9to5Mac says iPhone Air 2 could add a second camera and a bigger battery, specifically to address the most common buyer concerns.
NotebookCheck echoes that expectation, saying technological improvements in 2027 could enable both an extra camera and a larger battery (including mention of higher silicon content) while still keeping the design slim.
Android Headlines also reports Apple is planning a dual rear camera and battery improvements, framing them as a response to the first model’s compromises.
How CoE OLED could help iPhone Air 2 without making it thicker
Even if Apple’s goal is “thinner,” the more interesting angle may be what CoE enables inside the chassis.
9to5Mac argues that if CoE removes a layer from the display stack, the most likely benefit is extra internal volume that can be repurposed for battery capacity—plus efficiency gains that reduce battery drain at the same perceived brightness.
That approach aligns with the broader supply-chain framing: CoE makes the display thinner and brighter by removing the polarizer and changing where the color filter sits.
Galaxy S26 Ultra: Samsung’s flagship may preview the display upgrade Apple wants
While this story centers on Apple rumors, Samsung is a major character—because Samsung Display is deeply involved in OLED supply, and Samsung’s own phones are often where new display approaches mature first.
MacRumors reports Samsung plans to apply CoE not only to Galaxy Z foldables but also to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, calling it Samsung’s first non-foldable smartphone to use the tech (referred to internally as OCF).
NotebookCheck goes further and suggests Apple will be watching how the technology performs on Samsung’s 2026 flagship and how the market receives it—before Samsung potentially expands equipment investment in preparation for iPhone Air 2.
Galaxy S26 timing: February reveal, March sales (per current leaks)
As of today’s reporting, NotebookCheck cites a leak suggesting Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S26 series at an Unpacked event on February 25, 2026, with European sales beginning March 11, 2026.
If accurate, that would put Samsung in position to test-drive thinner, more efficient OLED stack changes in a mass‑market flagship well before Apple’s rumored iPhone Air 2 timeline.
Why this display shift matters: “Thin phones” need better trade-offs, not just thinner frames
Thin phones are easy to market and hard to perfect. If buyers believe thinness automatically means worse battery life or weaker cameras, the category stalls.
PhoneArena makes this point directly: the recent push toward slimmer devices hasn’t been a runaway sales success, but better display efficiency and reclaimed internal space could reduce the “compromise tax” that thin phones currently carry.
CoE OLED is compelling here because it doesn’t just promise a thinner phone—it promises a thinner component that can be traded for:
- More battery volume
- Higher brightness at the same power
- Potentially better thermal or internal layout flexibility (even if the phone stays the same thickness)
In other words, CoE could help Apple and Samsung chase “thin” while quietly improving the things buyers actually care about day-to-day.
What to watch next (as of January 10, 2026)
Here are the next milestones that matter if you’re tracking iPhone Fold, iPhone Air 2, and Galaxy S26 Ultra rumors:
- Q3 2026: A decision point is rumored for whether CoE will be used and whether iPhone Air 2 will move forward on schedule.
February 25, 2026: Leaks point to Samsung’s Galaxy S26 reveal event.
Late 2026 (possibly fall): Multiple sources continue to point toward an iPhone Fold launch window.
2027: The iPhone Air 2 is repeatedly linked to the iPhone’s 20th anniversary year, with CoE OLED positioned as the display enabler that could help Apple add a second camera and stronger battery life without losing the “Air” identity.
Bottom line
Today’s iPhone rumor cycle isn’t just about a new model—it’s about a new display foundation.
If CoE OLED delivers what the reporting suggests—thinner panels, higher efficiency, and more internal design flexibility—it could be the quiet upgrade that unlocks Apple’s two biggest bets at once: a premium iPhone Fold in 2026 and a more capable, less compromise-heavy iPhone Air 2 in 2027. And if Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra adopts the tech first, it may offer the earliest real-world signal of whether this “polarizer-free” display approach is ready for the mainstream.
