The disliked crease in foldable phone screens might finally be disappearing.

      It appears that 2023 will see a significant advancement in foldable phone technology. Interestingly, Samsung, which initiated the foldable phone trend in 2019, will not be leading the charge. Instead, it will be Oppo from China and its sister brand, OnePlus.

      Today, Pete Lau, the founder of OnePlus and product chief at Oppo, shared images of the forthcoming Find N5 alongside a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. The emphasis is on the crease, or more accurately, the nearly non-existent crease on the Oppo device compared to the pronounced ridge on Samsung’s foldable phone.

      “No crease detected,” Lau noted. This is a remarkable display, as nearly every foldable phone available today features a crease. While manufacturers like Samsung have made significant advancements in the underlying Ultrathin Glass technology since the early days of foldables, the visible crease remains an issue. It becomes particularly noticeable against dark backgrounds or in low-light conditions, and you can definitely feel the recessed line when you touch it.

      The crease is not only unattractive, but it also poses a functional problem. The first signs of pixel deterioration on the inner flexible screen typically appear along the crease of foldable devices.

      The Oppo Find N5 appears to be addressing this persistent issue, as evidenced by the images shared by Lau. Whether it will maintain a crease-free appearance after several months of use remains to be seen.

      There is much to be excited about regarding this phone, especially with its global launch just two weeks away. It will be the first foldable in the world to feature full-grade waterproofing with IPX6, IPX8, and IPX9 ratings.

      The Oppo Find N5 will also be equipped with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC and support 50W wireless charging. Notably, it is set to be the slimmest foldable phone ever. According to leaks, it will measure only 4.2mm when unfolded, making it slimmer than even Apple’s M4 iPad Pro. Although it won’t be available in the US, it is expected to be released as the OnePlus Open 2 for American consumers.

      Reports suggest that Samsung will take a more conservative approach to foldable phones this year. The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 is likely to be a rebranded version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition, which was introduced in China a few months back. While it is slimmer, it does not offer any significant enhancements.

      In terms of slimmer devices, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will soon hit the market, competing against Apple's own slim model, which is rumored to be the iPhone 17 Air and is expected to launch in the Fall.