Apple has run into “extra points than anticipated” with its foldable iPhone which will set again its launch, in line with Nikkei. The engineering issues reportedly cropped up through the machine’s early check manufacturing part and will delay first shipments by months, in line with a number of sources briefed on the matter. Nevertheless, a separate report in Bloomberg refutes the gist of Nikkei‘s claims.
“The present state of affairs might put the mass manufacturing timeline in danger,” considered one of Nikkei‘s sources stated. “April will mark an important stage of the engineering verification check, and this month until early might is extraordinarily important.” Element suppliers have supposedly been notified that the foldable iPhone’s manufacturing schedule will likely be delayed, and Apple is working to handle the issues.
In a separate article inBloomberg, nonetheless, the normally dependable Apple reporter Mark Gurman wrote that the machine 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,” in line with 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 gadgets, Gurman wrote. That stated, the timing is not last and points might nonetheless crop up forward of manufacturing. Engadget has reached out to Apple, however to date the corporate has declined to touch upon both the Bloomberg or Nikkei experiences.
A foldable iPhone has been rumored since 2017, and Apple’s largest rival, Samsung, launched its first one again in 2019. In response to a number of sources, Apple was aiming to launch its debut foldable iPhone in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18. Nevertheless, as we detailed in an explainer last month, “the mission might 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 because of constrained provides of elements like reminiscence chips. “Apple and the provision chain are working beneath a pressured timeline and the present options should not sufficient to utterly resolve the engineering problem… extra time is required,” Nikkei’s supply acknowledged.
The issues reportedly arose throughout Apple’s manufacturing verification assessments. That is the fourth of six steps the corporate’s new merchandise should undergo earlier than transport, previous to the important thing pilot manufacturing and mass manufacturing phases. For the reason that foldable can be an all-new design, it could seemingly must go every stage with flying colours earlier than continuing to the following.
Although more likely to account for lower than 10 p.c of iPhone manufacturing, the foldable will likely 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 gadgets initially, Nikkei reported. Apple has but to announce the machine.
Replace April 7, 2026 at 3:02 PM ET: The article has been up to date with info from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman stating that the foldable iPhone remains to be on schedule for a September 2026 launch.
