Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone is still running into production hurdles, leaving its exact launch schedule uncertain, according to a new report. Foxconn — responsible for the final tuning of mass-production — is leading the last-stage manufacturing efforts.
Production delays and technical blockers
The report says the engineering validation phase may have caused a one- to two-month delay. The main technical roadblocks are the hinge architecture and display durability testing — two critical areas for the reliability of any foldable device. Those unresolved issues help explain why Apple has not fixed a launch date.
A choppy production timeline
The supply chain has seen several production milestones in recent months: trial production kicked off in April, and Apple reportedly increased orders to roughly 10 million units after addressing hinge and PCB problems. Earlier coverage suggested a smooth ramp-up with no delays; the new report tempers that view and indicates the timeline remains fluid.
Foxconn at the helm
Apple has reportedly handed Foxconn responsibility for steering the project from new product introduction (NPI) through mass production, leveraging the assembler’s expertise in precision structural components and large-scale adjustments. An industry source cited by the report believes Foxconn is the only partner likely to hit Apple’s production targets.
Expected design and market positioning
Despite timing uncertainty, the foldable iPhone is still expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September. The rumored design is a book-style foldable with an inner display of about 7.7–7.8 inches, an outer display near 5.5 inches, a thickness around 4.5 mm, and a starting price above $2,000.
Bottom line
Technical validation around the hinge and the display remains the primary constraint. If those issues are resolved, Apple and Foxconn appear positioned to scale production — but the launch window is not yet set in stone.
