IT Home (IT之家) reported on June 24 that South Korean media outlet The Elec announced today that Apple's first foldable iPhone will begin mass production at the end of July. Amid recent rumors of delays due to hinge issues, Apple still plans to launch the new device in September as originally scheduled .

Supply chain sources say Apple has finalized key specifications for the foldable iPhone, including the display, casing, and structural components , and the product has entered the mass production preparation stage. The first batch will be produced by Foxconn (富士康) . Apple completed its initial trial production in April, and mass production is expected to start around the end of July, with the September launch plan largely on track.

The foldable iPhone requires precise assembly of multiple components including the panel, hinge, cover glass, and frame, so trial production results will directly affect the release timeline.

The foldable iPhone will feature a foldable OLED panel supplied by Samsung Display (三星显示), and will be equipped with components such as hinge modules, cover glass, and structural parts. Samsung Display has recently received Apple's approval to supply the first batch of foldable OLED modules from its factory in Vietnam.

According to IT Home (IT之家), after installing driver circuits, flexible printed circuit boards, and protective parts, the OLED panel forms a complete module. Samsung Display has completed mass production preparation for this stage.

The hinges will be supplied by Shin Zu Shing (新日兴) and Amphenol (安费诺), both adopting the 3D printing process.Producing hinge modules. The hinge not only affects the smoothness of opening and closing the screen but also determines crease control and long-term durability. Since regular bar phones do not require this component, the hinge is also a key factor in the overall completion of foldable phones.

Industry insiders revealed that after millions of durability tests, the hinge exhibited slight abnormal noise. The tolerances in some assembly steps also exceeded expectations, leading to an increase in the defect rate. Currently, these issues have mostly been resolved.

Previous reports suggested that hinge issues could delay the foldable iPhone. Some analysts believe that even if Apple releases the new device as scheduled in September, it may postpone the official sales. As Apple's first foldable phone, the company may enforce stricter quality standards before mass production.

After adding foldable models, Apple may adjust the iPhone release rhythm. The September new product launch event is expected to focus on the Pro series and foldable models, while the standard iPhone might be moved to a different time for a separate launch.

An Apple supply chain source said: "This year's launch lineup will mainly include Pro, Pro Max, and Ultra (foldable) . With the foldable iPhone joining the existing product line, the standard iPhone may be postponed to next spring for release."

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