Apple faced more obstacles than expected during the engineering testing phase of its first foldable iPhone, which could lead to the device’s launch being postponed until 2027. A new report indicated that the engineering issues that emerged during the early test production phase appear to be more complex and take longer to resolve compared to Apple’s expectations, as the device is currently undergoing engineering verification tests, which is a crucial stage to approve the new design before moving to mass production, and component suppliers have been informed of the possibility of delaying production timelines.
It was expected that this phone would be launched later after the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro phones during next September, but these engineering setbacks increase the risk of postponing the launch for a longer period. Informed sources confirmed to the agency that the current problems may threaten the timetable for mass production, stressing that the period extending from the current month of April until early May is considered very crucial, as Apple and the supply chain are working under great time pressure, given that the solutions currently available are not sufficient to fully address the engineering challenges.
The leaks indicated that the delay is also due to the ongoing negotiations over prices with manufacturing partners and the lack of a decision regarding the materials used in the hinge. Apple is currently choosing between using liquid metal, which enhances durability and reduces screen wrinkling, and 3D-printed titanium alloy. The final decision is expected to be made during the production verification testing phase in July or early August, while pending discussions about costs may affect the final production schedule.
