Apple’s Foldable iPhone Reportedly Faces Major Hinge Problems, Launch Could Slip to 2027
Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone may not arrive as soon as some fans hoped. A fresh supply chain report claims that the company’s first foldable smartphone, often referred to as the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra, has run into a serious production challenge that could delay its launch.
The good news is that Apple appears to have made strong progress with one of the biggest concerns in foldable phone design: the display crease. According to the latest information, Apple’s internal testing has produced a foldable screen that remains nearly crease-free even after extended use. That would be a major achievement, as visible creasing has been one of the most common complaints about foldable smartphones.
However, the display is reportedly not the main problem anymore. The bigger issue is the hinge.
Apple is said to be unhappy with the durability of the hinge mechanism after repeated folding and unfolding tests. While the screen itself may be holding up well, the moving internal parts are reportedly showing wear that does not meet Apple’s strict quality requirements. For a device expected to carry a premium price, Apple appears unwilling to release a foldable iPhone unless the hardware can survive long-term daily use without reliability concerns.
This could create a major setback for Apple’s foldable plans. Trial production has reportedly stalled while engineers work to improve the hinge design. If the issue is solved quickly, Apple could still introduce its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, potentially in September 2026.
The device is expected to feature Apple’s next-generation 2nm A20 Pro chip and deep integration with Apple Intelligence, making it one of the company’s most advanced iPhones to date. A foldable design would also mark one of the biggest changes to the iPhone lineup in years, giving Apple a direct competitor in the growing foldable smartphone market.
Still, Apple has a long history of waiting until it believes a product is ready rather than rushing into a new category. If the hinge problem continues, the foldable iPhone could easily be pushed into 2027 or later. The company is reportedly prepared to delay the device rather than risk launching a model with mechanical weaknesses.
For now, the iPhone Fold remains one of Apple’s most exciting upcoming products, but also one of its most technically challenging. A nearly creaseless display could give Apple a major advantage, but the hinge must be just as reliable. Until that part of the design meets Apple’s standards, the foldable iPhone’s release date will likely remain uncertain.
