Apple has run into “extra points than anticipated” with its foldable iPhone which will set again its launch, based on Nikkei. The engineering issues reportedly cropped up in the course of the system’s early take a look at manufacturing part and should delay first shipments by months, based on a number of sources briefed on the matter. Nonetheless, a separate report in Bloomberg refutes the gist of Nikkei‘s claims.
“The present state of affairs may put the mass manufacturing timeline in danger,” one in every of Nikkei‘s sources stated. “April will mark a vital stage of the engineering verification take a look at, and this month until early might is extraordinarily vital.” Part suppliers have supposedly been notified that the foldable iPhone’s manufacturing schedule will probably be delayed, and Apple is working to handle the issues.
In a separate article inBloomberg, nevertheless, the normally dependable Apple reporter Mark Gurman wrote that the system remains to be on monitor for a September 2026 launch. “The corporate is scheduled to introduce the foldable mannequin in September alongside the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max, stated the individuals, who requested to not be recognized as a result of the plans haven’t been introduced,” based on the report.
The complexity of the foldable iPhone’s show and different elements might “restrict preliminary provide for a number of weeks,” however Apple plans to place it on sale on the similar time or shortly after the opposite non-foldable units, Gurman wrote. That stated, the timing is not remaining and points may nonetheless crop up forward of manufacturing. Engadget has reached out to Apple, however to this point the corporate has declined to touch upon both the Bloomberg or Nikkei studies.
A foldable iPhone has been rumored since 2017, and Apple’s largest rival, Samsung, launched its first one again in 2019. Based on a number of sources, Apple was aiming to launch its debut foldable iPhone in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18. Nonetheless, as we detailed in an explainer final month, “the challenge may slip into 2027 if Apple runs into manufacturing or sturdiness points, notably across the hinge or show.”
Apple was reportedly prioritizing the foldable iPhone and different premium fashions for its September occasion this yr on account of constrained provides of elements like reminiscence chips. “Apple and the availability chain are working underneath a pressured timeline and the present options usually are not sufficient to fully remedy the engineering problem… extra time is required,” Nikkei’s supply acknowledged.
The issues reportedly arose throughout Apple’s manufacturing verification checks. That is the fourth of six steps the corporate’s new merchandise should undergo earlier than delivery, previous to the important thing pilot manufacturing and mass manufacturing phases. Because the foldable can be an all-new design, it might possible have to move every stage with flying colours earlier than continuing to the following.
Although prone to account for lower than 10 p.c of iPhone manufacturing, the foldable will probably be a key product for Apple designed to spice up curiosity in iPhones throughout its vary. Apple reportedly plans to supply seven to eight million of the units initially, Nikkei reported. Apple has but to announce the system.
Replace April 7, 2026 at 3:02 PM ET: The article has been up to date with data from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman stating that the foldable iPhone remains to be on schedule for a September 2026 launch.
