Foxconn To Begin Manufacturing In Late July As Apple Targets September Launch Alongside iPhone 18 Pro
According to The Elec, Apple has finalized key specifications for its first foldable iPhone and entered the final preparation phase for mass production, with Foxconn set to begin manufacturing in late July and the September launch schedule expected to proceed largely as planned.
The device encountered real challenges during testing. After durability tests involving millions of folding cycles, the hinge produced slight noise, and manufacturing tolerances in some assembly processes ran wider than expected, resulting in a higher defect rate. However, most of those issues have since been resolved, according to a Taiwan-based supply chain source.
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover display, Apple’s A20 chip, a C2 modem, two rear cameras, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and pricing of around $2,000.
The report also signals a broader shift in Apple’s launch strategy: this year’s September event is expected to focus on the Pro, Pro Max and Ultra models, while the standard iPhone model may be delayed until spring 2026.
Samsung’s eighth-generation foldable is already shipping. Apple is about to launch its first. The pressure to get the hinge right on version one could not be higher.
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