Slowly but surely, Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone is inching closer to its release, and a report reveals it has just passed another major milestone. After finalizing a crease-free display design earlier this year, Apple has supposedly locked in a vapor chamber cooling system as well.
Apple finalizes vapor cooling chamber and prepares for production
The main technical obstacle in the development of the foldable iPhone has been the display. Apple reportedly rejected multiple hinge and panel designs over the last two years, insisting on a crease-free solution, which is something Android phones have improved but not completely solved yet.
According to the latest report, Apple has now finalized the display design and moved the device into the pre-production phase. At this stage, the company should only have some adjustments left remaining before being able to start the mass manufacturing for the iPhone Fold.
Suppliers are said to be fully prepared. Component partners across the chain — including panel makers, hinge producers, and assembly partners — are now waiting on Apple’s final green light.
The latest interesting tidbit about the iPhone Fold is that Apple plans to equip the foldable with the same vapor chamber cooling system it used in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. This should help manage heat during more demanding scenarios such as gaming, multitasking, or utilizing apps that require high chip performance — an area where foldable phones typically struggle.
Apple aims to ship up to nine million units in the first year
Rumor has it that Apple is quite optimistic about the iPhone Fold's market potential. Early projections estimate between 7 and 9 million units shipped in the first 12 months, which is higher than the first-year targets for most Android foldables.
A wide network of Apple’s core partners is expected to benefit including Samsung, TSMC, Foxconn, Shin Zu Shing, and Largan Precision — all are positioned within the production pipeline for the foldable iPhone.
The phone is also expected to debut with Apple’s first 2nm chipset, the A20 Pro. Both the A20 and A20 Pro are rumored to power the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup, with an expected jump in performance and efficiency.
A milestone moment for Apple’s foldable vision
Apple's first foldable iPhone will be its most ambitious product since the release of the Apple Vision Pro. While the company is definitely behind on the trend, it will be bringing a brand-new option to its loyal fan base, and introducing a medium that might draw even more people towards iOS and the Apple ecosystem.
However, there is also major pressure on Apple to deliver a stellar product with its first jab at a foldable phone. The company has proven that people don't care that you are late if you introduce something remarkable and truly well-made, so while the iPhone Fold (or however it ends up being called) can be a big win for the company, it can also be a major hit to its reputation.
Recommended For You
Most reports expect Apple’s first foldable iPhone to cost between $2,000 and $2,500 in the U.S., positioning it as the most expensive iPhone ever. The price estimates that analysts have given tend to vary, though. UBS predicts $1,800 to $2,000, while Fubon Research suggests around $2,399.
Ming-Chi Kuo — one of the more trusted Apple insiders — says the hinge, which was initially thought to cost more than $100, will instead come in at $70 to $80 thanks to design optimizations and Foxconn’s manufacturing scale. Whether that cost drop lowers the final retail price or simply improves Apple’s margins is unclear.
The biggest questions now are pricing, durability, and how Apple positions the foldable next to the regular iPhone 18 models. These are all factors that could determine whether Apple can reshape the foldable market the same way it reshaped smartphones.
Travel Easy with Nomad eSIM – 25% Off
25% off eSIM data-only plans & global coverage - enter code IPHONE25, sign up required
Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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: