Reports from The Elec, as cited by MacRumors and Macworld, say Apple’s rumored book-style foldable iPhone—often referred to as “iPhone Ultra”—is preparing for mass production in late July and still targets a September launch. Earlier coverage suggested hinge-related concerns could cause delays, but more recent supply-chain reporting indicates the project is moving forward. The Elec describes earlier testing problems with a 3D-printed hinge module, including slight noise after durability tests involving millions of folding cycles and higher defect rates tied to manufacturing tolerances. Sources cited from Taiwan indicate these problems have largely been addressed, and that the device is entering preparation for mass production. 9to5Mac similarly reports that 3D-printed hinge issues appear solved and that recent reports point to an unveiling during the September keynote. The Elec also reports key component details: a Samsung-supplied 7.8-inch foldable OLED panel, and hinges sourced from Taiwan’s Shin Zu Shing and U.S.-based Amphenol. Mass production is expected to involve Foxconn for the initial batch, with Apple aiming for timing that remains aligned with its September plans.
iPhone Ultra foldable expected for September as 3D-printed hinge issues are largely resolved
Reports from The Elec, as cited by MacRumors and Macworld, say Apple’s rumored book-style foldable iPhone—often referred to as “iPhone Ultra”—is preparing for mass production in late July and still ta...
- Apple’s foldable iPhone, often referred to as “iPhone Ultra,” is expected to launch in September.
- Multiple reports say mass production is set to start in late July.
- Earlier hinge concerns from durability testing (including slight noise and some defects) are described as largely resolved.
- The foldable display is reported to use a Samsung-supplied 7.8-inch OLED panel with a thinner design approach.
- Hinges are reported to be supplied by Shin Zu Shing (Taiwan) and Amphenol (U.S.).
Apple's rumored foldable iPhone "Ultra" is expected to begin mass production at the end of July, according to a new report by The Elec. Although some recent reports suggested the book-style device could be delayed due to hinge-related issues, the Korean outlet's sources indicate that Apple is still targeting a September launch as planned. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in March that the new foldable iPhone won't ship to customers in the same September timeframe as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. A month later, Gurman said that the foldable iPhone remained on track for a September debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, and that Apple is aiming to put it on sale at roughly the same time or slightly later. Gurman noted at the time, however, that "the release is six months away and production has yet to ramp up" and "the timing isn't final." The foldable iPhone will use a foldable 7.8-inch OLED panel supplied by Samsung. The display uses a newer design that eliminates one of the traditional screen layers and instead builds the color-filtering layer directly into the display stack, making the screen thinner, lighter, and more power-efficient. The hinge will reportedly be supplied by Taiwan's Shin Zu Shing and U.S.-based Amphenol. Both companies are said to be providing hinges manufactured using 3D-printing techniques. The Elec's latest sources said Apple did encounter some challenges with the hinge during testing. After undergoing durability tests involving millions of folds, the mechanism reportedly began producing slight "noise," while wider-than-expected manufacturing tolerances in parts of the assembly process contributed to higher defect rates. However, most of these issues have since been addressed, according to one Taiwan-based industry source cited by the outlet. In addition to the inner display, the foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 5.5-inch cover display, as well as Apple's A20 chip and C2 modem, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and two rear cameras, with pricing rumored at around $2,000. Apple's book-style foldable could launch as the "iPhone Ultra," as suggested by reports.Tags: Foldable iPhone, The ElecThis article, "Foldable iPhone 'Ultra' Set for Production in July Despite Hinge Issues" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
1 day agoTalk of a delayed launch for the upcoming iPhone Ultra now seems to have faded away, with all recent reports pointing to Apple’s foldable being unveiled during the September keynote. The latest supply-chain report says that earlier issues with the 3D-printed hinge module have now been resolved, with the device now entering the next stage of production …
1 day agoMacworld The highly anticipated iPhone Ultra appears to be back on track for a September launch. Sources in Apple’s supply chain indicate that the company’s first foldable phone will enter mass production next month, despite concerns surrounding the performance of the device’s hinge in durability tests. The Elec this week reports that Apple has finalized the Ultra’s key specifications, including its display, case, and mechanical components, and that the device has entered the preparation phase for mass production. Citing interviews with supply-chain officials in Korea and Taiwan, the site says mass production is likely to begin in late July, with Foxconn handling the initial batch, and that a September unveiling is “expected to proceed without major issues.” There may not be major issues, but the project has not been without its fair share of minor ones. For the past couple of months, pundits have blown hot and cold between predicting delays and insisting it’s on track. Trial production has been underway since April, and the results of this phase are crucial for the timing of later stages of production. The Elec’s sources are cautiously optimistic, but they do note that the iPhone Ultra’s hinge has caused some worries. It cites one Taiwanese source as saying that “slight noise occurred in the hinges after durability tests involving millions of cycles” and that “in some assembly processes, tolerances were larger than expected, resulting in a slightly higher defect rate.” As with all foldables, the success or failure of the iPhone Ultra depends to a large extent on the performance of its hinge. Apple’s customers will be asked to pay roughly twice as much for the Ultra as for a top-end non-folding iPhone, while accepting an additional point of mechanical failure. Apple thought it had solved that part of the equation, having bought worldwide exclusive rights to a zirconium-based alloy in 2010, but it will only take a few hinge failures in the wild to spark another Bendgate-level controversy. Speaking about the hinge concerns, the Taiwanese official insisted that “most of these issues have now been resolved.” This is Apple’s biggest product launch of the year, and the company will hope it can do rather better than that. For all the latest news and rumors, bookmark our regularly updated iPhone Ultra superguide.
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