General Interface Solution (GIS) has secured an exclusive role in backend processing for the Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) in Apple’s foldable iPhone and iPad, with contributions starting in 2026, per TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. GIS will also remain the sole lamination supplier for Vision Air (the budget-friendly Vision Pro) and replace the current vendor as the exclusive supplier of Pancake lenses. This shift strengthens vertical integration and is expected to boost profits, with this business line contributing from 2027.
• Apple is projected to launch a foldable iPhone in 2026 and a foldable iPad in 2028, with UTG being a key component for both.
• GIS is collaborating with Corning, the exclusive supplier of raw UTG for the iPhone, to manage the backend processes. These steps include cutting, edge/corner treatment, inspection, inner/outer packaging, and shipping.
• UTG is highly sensitive to micro-cracks on the edges, surface particles, and stress fatigue. The complexity of its backend processing is substantially higher than that of conventional smartphone cover glass, with costs estimated to be 2–4 times greater.
• GIS has also exclusively won the orders for the foldable iPad’s UTG backend processing with shipments expected to start between late 2027 and early 2028.
• After backend processing, Corning will ship the iPhone UTG to downstream cutting facilities (e.g., Lens Technology) to be sized to foldable iPhone specifications. It will then be sent to the panel maker (SDC) for lamination.
• Apple recently revised its shipment forecasts for the foldable iPhone upward to 8–10 million units in 2026 and 20–25 million in 2027 (vs. previous estimate of 6–8 million and 10–15 million, respectively), which will significantly boost demand for relatively low-yield UTG.
• The foldable iPad is estimated to ship 0.5–1 million units in 2028. Due to its larger area, its UTG unit price will be considerably higher than that of the foldable iPhone.
• Apple is expected to launch Vision Air in 2027, which will address the high weight and price of the Vision Pro. The new device is estimated to be over 40% lighter and more than 50% cheaper.
Vision Air shipments are anticipated to reach one million unit in 2027 (vs. existing models with shipments below 400,000 units).• While GIS is only responsible for lamination for the current Vision Pro and its upcoming M5 version (expected in 2H25), it will become the sole supplier of Pancake lenses for Vision Air, replacing the incumbent. This vertical integration with its lamination business is poised to boost profitability.
MacDailyNews Take: The future is foldable – with an Apple logo on it.
Apple wasn’t first with fingerprint recognition, they were the first to do it right with Touch ID. Apple wasn’t first with facial recognition, they were the first to do it right with Face ID. Apple wasn’t first with contactless payments, they were the first to do it right with Apple Pay. — MacDailyNews, February 27, 2019
If and when Apple debuts a foldable iPhone, they’ll be showing the world how it should be done and what to copy going forward. As usual. — MacDailyNews, February 27, 2019
As with fingerprint and facial recognition, when Apple debuts a foldable iPhone, then foldable smartphones will have been done right. — MacDailyNews, January 17, 2019
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