Apple’s foldable iPhone is having “more problems than expected”, which may cause its release to be delayed nikki. According to multiple sources briefed on the matter, engineering problems reportedly surfaced during the early test production phase of the device and may delay the first shipments by months.
“The current situation could jeopardize the mass production timeline,” one of the sources said. “April will mark a critical phase of engineering validation testing, and this month through to early May is extremely important.” Component suppliers are believed to have been informed that the production schedule for the foldable iPhone will be delayed, and Apple is working to resolve the problems.
A foldable iPhone has been rumored since 2017, and Apple’s biggest rival, Samsung, released its first iPhone in 2019. According to multiple sources, Apple was aiming to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026 with the iPhone 18. However, as we detailed in a explainer last month, “If Apple runs into manufacturing or durability issues, particularly around the hinge or display, the project could slide to 2027.”
Apple was reportedly prioritizing foldable iPhones and other premium models for the September event this year due to limited supply of components like memory chips. However, the foldable’s engineering issues may put a halt to those plans. “Apple and the supply chain are working under pressured deadlines and existing solutions are not sufficient to fully solve the engineering challenge… more time is needed,” the Nikkei source said.
The problems reportedly arose during Apple’s production verification tests. It is the fourth of six stages that a company’s new products must go through before shipping, major pilot production, and mass production stages. Since the foldable will be a completely new design, it will have to pass each stage gracefully before moving on to the next one.
Although its share of iPhone production is likely to be less than 10 percent, the foldable will be a key product for Apple designed to drive interest in its entire range of iPhones. Apple reportedly plans to produce seven to eight million devices initially, nikki Informed. Apple has not yet officially announced the device and declined to comment on the reported engineering issues.
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