Apple's First Foldable iPhone Reportedly Hits Trial Production at Foxconn

Foxconn may have begun trial assembly for Apple's first foldable iPhone, according to a post from leaker Instant Digital on Weibo. The move would mark a shift into early production testing, where Apple evaluates yield rates and assembly speed ahead of a potential launch.



The leaker claims that if these trial runs go smoothly, Apple will begin full-scale mass production in July. That timeline suggests a launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro this fall. It also aligns with earlier signs that Apple is prioritizing premium hardware in 2026 while potentially pushing the standard iPhone 18 back to 2027.


The "iPhone Fold" is expected to sit at the top of Apple's lineup. To support Apple Intelligence features, it is rumored to use the 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM. The hardware design is also pushing limits. Apple is reportedly using a side-mounted Touch ID sensor built into the power button, avoiding the added thickness of a Face ID system.

We have also seen reports of a revised button layout that moves the volume keys to the right side to make room for a larger battery.

Apple's focus appears to be reducing the crease on the internal display. The current target is a 0.15mm crease, which depends on tight integration between the hinge and flexible glass. Starting trial production now gives Foxconn time to refine that process before the July ramp.