Foxconn begins trial production of Apple’s foldable as supply chain runs early test units
- Foxconn has started trial production of Apple’s first foldable iPhone, according to China Securities Journal, moving the device from design work into factory testing ahead of a reported second-half 2026 launch. - Supply-chain reports say Apple’s foldable is a book-style model with a roughly 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen, while some forecasts put pricing near $2,000. - Apple has not confirmed the device, but supplier reporting points to a late-2026 debut and new orders for glass, hinge and display parts. (trendforce.com)
Foxconn has begun trial production of Apple’s first foldable iPhone, according to China Securities Journal and follow-on supply-chain reports. (yicaiglobal.com) (technode.com) Trial production is the stage where a factory builds early units to test assembly, yields and parts fit before a full manufacturing ramp. The reports say Apple has told suppliers to prepare for a second-half 2026 launch window. (yicaiglobal.com) (gadgets360.com) The device described in the reports is a book-style foldable, closer to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line than to a flip phone. TechNode said the inner display is expected to measure 7.7 to 8 inches, with an outer cover screen for closed use. (technode.com) (gadgets360.com) The supply chain is already naming parts makers. Lens Technology said at an investor briefing that it is supplying ultra-thin glass, polyethylene terephthalate film, glass brackets and three-dimensional glass covers for the foldable iPhone project. (yicaiglobal.com) TrendForce said Samsung will supply the foldable panel, Shin Zu Shing will provide hinge parts, Largan is expected to supply camera lenses, and Foxconn is set to handle final assembly. The same report said Apple is keeping the OLED material set aligned with the iPhone 17 Pro Max rather than introducing a new stack. (trendforce.com) One of the main engineering targets is the crease, the visible line that can appear where a foldable screen bends. MacRumors, citing TrendForce, reported that optically clear adhesive is a key part of Apple’s effort to make that crease less visible. (macrumors.com) Price is one reason the launch is being watched closely. TechNode said the foldable could become Apple’s most expensive iPhone yet, while several follow-on reports have repeated estimates around $2,000, though Apple has not confirmed any pricing. (technode.com) (gadgets360.com) Apple has not announced a foldable iPhone, a launch date or a price. For now, the clearest signal is that Foxconn is building early test units, and the next milestone is whether those factory trials turn into a mass-production schedule later this year. (yicaiglobal.com) (trendforce.com)
