Apple supplier Foxconn has reportedly begun trial production of the upcoming iPhone Fold, according to Chinese leaker Instant Digital.
This early manufacturing phase comes ahead of full-scale mass production, which is currently expected to begin in July—provided there are no significant issues during testing and validation.
Trial production is a key step in Apple’s hardware development process, allowing the company and its partners to fine-tune assembly, quality control, and component integration before ramping up output for launch.
Apple is still on track to launch its first foldable device, the iPhone Fold, in 2026, but new rumors suggest the release timeline may not follow the typical September iPhone launch schedule.
While Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models alongside the iPhone Fold at its September event, the foldable itself could arrive later—potentially as late as December—marking a split between announcement and availability.
The iPhone Fold will be Apple’s first entry into the foldable smartphone market, and it’s expected to feature a roughly 5.5-inch display when closed and a larger 7.8-inch screen when opened. Reports suggest Apple is using a wider 4:3 aspect ratio, giving it a shape closer to an iPad than many existing foldable phones.
Design constraints driven by its ultra-thin build—reportedly as slim as 4.5mm when unfolded—mean Apple is making notable compromises. The device is expected to forgo a triple-lens camera system, meaning no Telephoto lens, and it may also skip Face ID due to internal space limitations. Instead, Apple is rumored to adopt an iPad-style Touch ID power button.
One of Apple’s key engineering goals is minimizing the visible crease, with reports claiming the company has made significant progress toward a nearly seamless fold when the display is open.
More details are expected to emerge as Apple moves closer to production and its official announcement timeline becomes clearer.