The Pixel 12 Pro Fold and several other Android foldables are reportedly preparing to adopt the same display technology set to debut on the first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Ultra. The foldable iPhone is due to be officially announced within a week at Apple’s Surprise and Shine event, yet its influence on rival manufacturers is already becoming apparent.
Ahead of the launch, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in a comparable form factor, and now further manufacturers appear to be seeking the same panel design.
Android makers set to adopt dual-UTG design
Devices such as the Pixel 12 Pro Fold may use the same display technology Apple will employ in the upcoming iPhone Ultra. Google, Oppo and Vivo all plan to adopt the dual ultra-thin glass (UTG) display, which will be used first by Apple.
Although the technology may premiere with the foldable iPhone, dual UTG OLED panels are manufactured by Samsung Display. The Korean company is already producing prototypes tailored to specifications provided by Google, Oppo and Vivo. Mass production of the displays is expected to begin next year, timed to each manufacturer’s new product releases.
How the dual-UTG display works
The dual UTG technology places one sheet of ultra-thin glass above and another below the OLED panel. The upper layer is only tens of micrometres thick and protects the screen from scratches and other damage. The lower UTG supports the OLED panel from beneath and dissipates stress around the hinge when the display is folded and unfolded. Together, the two layers help reduce the central crease and the deformation caused by repeated opening and closing.
By contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra use a single UTG layer above the OLED and a titanium alloy with a reinforced plate beneath it. The titanium structure replaces the lower UTG layer, which is said to improve yields and reduce costs. Samsung has achieved strong results with its titanium approach, with the crease said to have practically disappeared on the Galaxy Z Fold 8.
When Android foldables with dual-UTG arrive
The first Android foldable with a dual UTG display is likely to be the Oppo Find N7, expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027 as the successor to the Find N6. The Vivo X Fold 7 is anticipated in the first half of next year. The Pixel 12 Pro Fold, meanwhile, is not expected to arrive before the second half of next year, most likely in August.
The technology arrives on devices that can cost around £1,550, where display durability remains a central consideration alongside the reduced crease.
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Image: phonearena.com
