Part of the innovative technology going into the upcoming folding iPhone is supposedly an internal hinge that will play an important role in ensuring that the flexible display won’t be marred by an unsightly crease.
An analyst who’s a respected source of Apple information reported Tuesday that the component will begin shipping to Apple at the beginning of 2026.
Folding iPhone will not be marred by screen crease
Although Apple has so far stayed out of the foldable handset market, that’s about to change, according to an ever-increasing number of rumors and leaks coming from reliable sources.
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities, is the source for the latest of these. It focuses on the internal hinge that’s part of Apple’s efforts to prevent a crease from forming in the flexible screen that’s the centerpiece of the device.
“The primary cause of creasing in foldable phone displays is stress concentration at the fold points during repeated bending, which leads to material fatigue and permanent deformation. A metal plate helps distribute and control bending stress, preventing the display material from exceeding its elastic limit and thereby minimizing the likelihood of creases,” said Kuo on a new blog post. “The metal plate must be highly integrated with the display design.”
An alternative name for the plate is an internal hinge, and Fine M-Tec will make one for the bendable screen going into the iPhone fold, according to Kuo. The component will actually originally be supplied to Samsung Display, as it’s reportedly the only company up to making the crease-free screen that Apple requires.
Getting into the nitty-gritty of Apple’s supply chain can make one’s eyes glaze, but if nothing else, Tuesday’s report adds weight to the growing pile of leaks that Apple really is making a folding iPhone, and that its screen will not include an ugly crease — unlike so many foldable Androids that came before.
Coming in 2026
There’s a consensus that the first folding iPhone will launch in 2026. Kuo said Tuesday that he thinks the product will launch in the second half of that year.
Previous reports indicate Apple picked a book-style design, not a flip-phone design. And it’ll supposedly also have a large external display that can be used without opening the clamshell. Don’t expect the unit to be overly thick, though, as recent foldables aren’t as clunky as their predecessors.
Why you want a folding iPhone
A handset with a flexible screen offers the best of both worlds: it can function like a compact smartphone when folded and transform into a larger tablet-like display when unfolded. This extra screen real estate is great for multitasking, watching videos or reading, while still being pocketable and portable. For users who want more screen space without carrying a separate device, a foldable phone is a convenient and versatile option.
On the other side of the coin, published reports indicate the price for the folding iPhone could be around $2,000. That’s typical for a foldable handset, though.
