Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone may be closer to reality than ever. A fresh wave of supply-chain chatter claims the so-called iPhone Fold has entered mass production at Foxconn, signaling that Apple’s first foldable smartphone is moving beyond prototypes and internal testing. If accurate, it’s a major step that could reshape the foldable phone market—especially since Apple has reportedly cleared one of the biggest technical hurdles in foldables: hiding the crease.
The toughest part of building a foldable phone isn’t the outer frame or hinge design—it’s delivering a clean, premium inner display that doesn’t show a distracting fold line under normal lighting. Most foldable phones still reveal a crease from certain angles, particularly when light hits the screen directly. The latest rumor suggests Apple has finally solved that problem, with reports claiming the iPhone Fold will offer a crease-less viewing experience on its main screen.
Leaked images circulating on social media have also teased a wider aspect ratio and a book-style folding design, a familiar approach among foldables because it balances portability with a larger internal display. While a book-style form factor is relatively straightforward to execute compared to the screen engineering, the inner panel is where Apple has reportedly spent the most effort.
According to the same rumor thread, Apple has experimented with multiple approaches to achieve a crease-less display, including using Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) in different thicknesses. There’s also talk that Apple may layer polyimide film on top of the UTG to improve scratch resistance. That kind of build would likely raise component costs, but it could also help Apple deliver a more durable foldable screen—one of the common concerns buyers still have with foldable devices.
Another leak from a separate tipster previously suggested Apple’s foldable would enter manufacturing around July, so claims that production is now underway could mean Apple accelerated its schedule. One possible reason: foldable devices usually require far more careful inspection than traditional slab-style smartphones. The inner display, hinge mechanics, and long-term durability checks can slow down the ramp to retail availability, which may limit early supply if Apple intends to ship globally at launch.
That supply challenge could also affect the release window. Even with production starting, it’s possible Apple may target a later launch period to ensure enough inventory is ready for major markets. Some speculation points to early 2027 as a more realistic timeframe for broad availability, especially if the device requires stricter quality control than standard iPhones.
Price expectations remain steep. Current rumors suggest a starting price around $2,000, which would place the iPhone Fold at the ultra-premium end of the smartphone market. Still, forecasts believe Apple could ship around 20 million units worldwide, a number that—if it happens—would immediately put pressure on competitors who have spent years trying to push foldables into the mainstream without truly breaking through.
If the iPhone Fold really is entering mass production now, the bigger story isn’t just that Apple is joining the foldable race—it’s that it may be arriving with the kind of refined hardware experience many buyers have been waiting for, especially if the crease-less display claim holds up in real-world use.
