Apple is reportedly working on its first foldable iPhone, and in the past few months, we've started hearing more and more about this mysterious phone. Now, industry insider and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims he knows how much the phone's hinge may cost.
Foldable iPhone hinge may cost lower than expected
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the hinge for the foldable iPhone is constructed in such a way that it may actually be cheaper than current expectations. In fact, around $20 to $40 cheaper.
The hinge is super important when we're talking about a foldable phone. That's actually the key aspect of such a phone. The foldable display is flexible in order to be opened and closed, but it requires the support of a solid and functional hinge mechanism.
Hinges for foldable smartphones are generally hard to get right, so this pretty much means there may be a high cost of production. But Ming-Chi Kuo seems to believe otherwise for the hinge that Apple plans to use in its first foldable iPhone.
Kuo states that when the hinge enters mass production, he predicts an average production cost for it of around $70 or $80 a piece. Kuo believes that the cost per piece will drop considerably in comparison to the current market expectation, which is now $100 to $120 and even higher.
Recommended For You
Image Credit - ConceptsiPhone
Two companies are said to produce the hinge
Reportedly, the production duties of the hinge will fall to two companies. Foxconn, which is a long-term partner of Apple and a part of its supply chain, and Shin Zu Shing will reportedly collaborate on making the hinge.
It seems that this collaboration has managed to score a big share of hinge orders from the Cupertino giant: about 65% of the total orders. The remaining number of hinges is said to be produced by Amphenol.
What kind of foldable would you want Apple to make first?
A book-style one (like Galaxy Z Fold)
53.3%
A clamshell one (like Galaxy Z Flip)
20.83%
Something completely new
15.97%
I’d stick with a regular iPhone
9.9%
Rumor has it that there may be a third manufacturer to step in (Luxshare), but that would depend on how successful the first foldable iPhone would be, and Luxshare may join after 2027.
Previous rumors have indicated that the foldable iPhone may have a frame made of a combination of titanium and aluminum in order for the phone to be thin and durable. That recent rumor contradicts earlier Kuo claims, which indicated stainless steel may be used for the phone.
As of now, the first foldable iPhone is expected to be announced in late 2026.
It's hard to predict, however, whether the lower cost of the hinge's production may mean the foldable iPhone will be cheaper. Apple takes other considerations into account when picking a price for its phones, and the same will most likely apply to the foldable iPhone as well. At the moment, rumor has it that the foldable iPhone may cost around $2,000, or even $2,500.
A foldable iPhone is what I've been waiting for
I've been holding my horses on upgrading for a while now because of how much I think a foldable iPhone will bring to the table. I'm generally a fan of foldables, but I don't rock one as my daily driver simply because Apple hasn't made one, and I'm used to iPhones.
I'm quite eager to see what Apple manages to do with its first foldable iPhone, and I may be on the line for an upgrade, even though I'd prefer a clamshell foldable instead of a book-style one. Nevertheless, I can't wait to hear more about this phone.
Unlimited plans for $15/mo at Mint!
$180
$360
$180 off (50%)
Mint Mobile is also offering an incredible bargain for those seeking unlimited data! The carrier's latest deal lets you grab any unlimited plan for just $15/mo, bringing the 12-month Unlimited plan to $180 instead of $360.
Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master's degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She's also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it's walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: