Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone is back in the spotlight, and this time the talk is all about the one thing foldable phone buyers notice first: the crease. New chatter suggests Apple is pursuing extremely tight manufacturing standards to make the fold line far less visible than what most current foldables show, potentially delivering what some are already calling a “crease-less” look.
According to the latest rumor shared on Weibo by the tipster Fixed-focus digital cameras, Apple’s first foldable flagship is moving closer to a critical milestone. The device is said to be on track for mass production to begin in July, and one production line has reportedly already received orders for the foldable display panels. If accurate, it’s a meaningful hint that Apple’s foldable iPhone project is progressing beyond prototypes and toward real manufacturing preparation.
The most attention-grabbing part of the rumor is the claimed crease specification. The fold area is reportedly being held to under 0.15mm, with an angle of less than 2.5 degrees. In practical terms, that would mean the crease could be significantly harder to see during normal use, especially when viewing content head-on. The same leak also suggests the display quality will be “exceptional,” aligning with Apple’s typical focus on materials, consistency, and tight hardware tolerances.
Pricing is mentioned as well, with the tipster describing it as “conservative,” though it’s unclear whether that refers to the cost of the display panels themselves or the final retail pricing of the foldable iPhone. The rumor doesn’t name the panel maker, either, leaving open questions about which supplier is meeting Apple’s requirements.
The idea of Apple minimizing the crease has circulated for a while, with past reports suggesting the company is willing to use more advanced and potentially more expensive components to reduce fold visibility. At the same time, other reports have claimed Apple has been testing different approaches, including experimenting with Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) in various thicknesses to improve the fold area. UTG can help with a cleaner foldable display appearance, but it can also be prone to scratches, which is why Apple is rumored to consider adding a polyimide film layer on top for extra durability.
If these newest claims are accurate, Apple could be aiming to solve one of the biggest compromises in today’s foldable phone designs—while entering the market later than rivals that have been refining their foldables for years. Still, until supply chain movement, final specifications, and an official launch window are confirmed, it’s best to treat the details as unverified. For now, the rumors paint a picture of a foldable iPhone that’s pushing hard to make the crease nearly disappear—and that alone will keep attention locked on what Apple does next.
