Apple to Begin Foldable iPhone Production in July After Resolving Hinge Issues
2026.06.24
Apple Inc. will begin mass production of its first foldable iPhone in late July. Despite recent speculation that hinge-related issues could delay the launch, the company is moving ahead with a September unveiling as originally planned.
According to THE ELEC’s interviews with Apple supply chain sources in Korea and Taiwan on June 24, Apple has finalized key specifications for the foldable iPhone, including the display, enclosure and mechanical components, and has entered the final production preparation stage. Initial production will be handled by Foxconn. The company conducted its first engineering production run in April, with mass production expected to begin around late July. The September launch schedule is also expected to proceed largely as planned.
Trial production is a process used to verify product design, components, assembly procedures and quality standards under actual manufacturing conditions before mass production begins. It signals that product development has moved beyond the final validation phase and into production readiness. For devices such as foldable smartphones, which require precise integration of components including the display panel, hinge, cover glass and frame, trial production results are a key factor in determining launch timing.
Apple’s foldable iPhone will incorporate a foldable organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel supplied by Samsung Display Co., along with hinge modules, cover glass and other mechanical components. Samsung Display recently received Apple’s approval for the initial production volume of foldable OLED modules at its Vietnam facility. The company has completed preparations for mass production through the module stage, where drive circuits, flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) and protective components are attached to the OLED panel.
The foldable iPhone’s hinges will be supplied by Taiwan’s Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd. and US-based Amphenol Corp. The companies are providing hinge modules manufactured using 3D-printing technology. The hinge is a critical component that determines opening and closing feel, crease performance and durability. Because it has no equivalent in conventional bar-type smartphones, it plays a central role in defining the overall quality of a foldable device.
Industry sources said hinge-related issues did emerge during development. “After durability testing involving several million folding cycles, minor noise was detected in the hinge,” a Taiwan-based industry source said. “In some assembly processes, manufacturing tolerances were larger than expected, resulting in somewhat higher defect rates.” The source added that most of those issues have now been resolved.
Siri AI recognizes on-screen content to provide nutritional information or explanations. (Source: Apple)
Recent industry speculation suggested that hinge-related concerns could delay the foldable iPhone’s launch. While Apple could still hold a September product event, some observers had argued that commercial availability might be postponed. As the company’s first foldable smartphone, Apple is widely expected to apply especially stringent quality standards during the final stages of development.
Apple also appears likely to adjust its iPhone launch strategy. With the addition of a foldable model, the focus of its September product event could shift toward the Pro lineup and the foldable device, while the standard model may be moved to a separate launch schedule.
“This year’s lineup will center on the Pro, Pro Max and Ultra (foldable) models,” an Apple supply chain source said. “With the foldable iPhone joining the portfolio, there is a possibility that the standard iPhone model could be pushed back until next spring.”
