Samsung Display is accelerating efforts to commercialize a next-generation technology that selectively thins the central portion of the key cover window component to address the persistent “crease” problem in foldable smartphone displays. Industry sources suggest the technology could be applied to Samsung Electronics’ next foldable phone as early as next year.

According to industry sources on Monday, Samsung Display is jointly developing “CTG” (Center-etched Thin Glass) technology with partners for use on top of foldable OLED panels. CTG involves selectively etching only the folding central area of the ultra-thin glass (UTG) used as the foldable panel’s cover window. It is also referred to as “Hybrid UTG.”

A thinner center makes the panel easier to fold, while the non-folding areas remain relatively thicker, preserving screen tautness and durability. Display industry experts view this as a key technology for mitigating the central crease — widely considered the biggest weakness of foldable phones.

However, CTG commercialization faces a significant hurdle. The step difference (height gap) between the etched central portion and the non-etched surrounding areas of the UTG could make the screen appear uneven to the user’s eye, which is cited as the core challenge.

To resolve this step-difference issue, Samsung Display has been developing a technique to fill the etched central area with a filler material to level the overall UTG height. The company is also reportedly working to match the optical characteristics between the filled region and the surrounding areas.

Industry projections indicate that CTG could be adopted in some models of Samsung Electronics’ next-generation foldable phone, the “Galaxy Z9” series, slated for release next year. The move reflects the need for technological advancement to maintain market leadership against Apple, which is preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone in the second half of this year. Apple has also reportedly shown interest in the technology of thinning the center of UTG.

A display industry official said, “Samsung Electronics is moving to accelerate the adoption timeline for next-generation foldable technologies, including CTG, to counter key competitors. However, the final decision on adoption is expected to be finalized around the fourth quarter of this year.”

Separately, Apple is known to have applied a glass-based “G-Barrier” layer not only on top of the panel (the UTG cover window) but also beneath the panel to prevent creasing in its foldable product launching this year. The G-Barrier sits between the OLED and the titanium backplate, helping reduce wrinkles in the foldable panel. The core idea is to replace the backplate’s reinforcing material — which supports the panel — from the existing plastic film to UTG, thereby enhancing panel rigidity and durability.

Samsung Electronics applied a titanium alloy film between the OLED and titanium backplate in this year’s “Galaxy Z Fold 8” and “Ultra” models. Apple’s G-Barrier effectively serves a similar role to Samsung Electronics’ titanium alloy film.

This technological rivalry is intensifying amid shifting dynamics in the foldable phone market. According to global market research firm Counterpoint Research, global foldable phone shipments are projected to grow 21% year-over-year this year. With Apple’s market entry imminent, the existing market order centered on Samsung Electronics and Huawei is expected to undergo significant change.

Samsung Electronics has restructured this year’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 series into a three-model lineup — base, Ultra, and Flip — with the base Fold 8 adopting a passport-style 10:16 aspect ratio design instead of the previous tall, narrow screen. This segment-diversification strategy is part of the company’s market response. However, with memory costs rising due to surging AI semiconductor demand — the so-called “chipplation” effect — the price of the highest-spec model has surpassed ₩3 million (approximately $2,094), and consumer resistance is mounting.