Apple’s foldable iPhone is reportedly prone to delay

Apple has run into “extra points than anticipated” with its foldable iPhone which will set again its launch, in accordance with Nikkei. The engineering issues reportedly cropped up through the machine’s early take a look at manufacturing part and will delay first shipments by months, in accordance with a number of sources briefed on the matter. Nonetheless, a separate report in Bloomberg refutes the gist of Nikkei‘s claims.

“The present scenario may put the mass manufacturing timeline in danger,” one in all Nikkei‘s sources mentioned. “April will mark an important stage of the engineering verification take a look at, and this month until early could is extraordinarily important.” Element suppliers have supposedly been notified that the foldable iPhone’s manufacturing schedule can be delayed, and Apple is working to deal with the issues.

In a separate article inBloomberg, nevertheless, the normally dependable Apple reporter Mark Gurman wrote that the machine remains to be on observe for a September 2026 launch. “The corporate is scheduled to introduce the foldable mannequin in September alongside the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max, mentioned the individuals, who requested to not be recognized as a result of the plans haven’t been introduced,” in accordance with the report.

The complexity of the foldable iPhone’s show and different elements could “restrict preliminary provide for a number of weeks,” however Apple plans to place it on sale on the identical time or shortly after the opposite non-foldable gadgets, Gurman wrote. That mentioned, the timing is not last and points may 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. Nonetheless, as we detailed in an explainer last month, “the venture may slip into 2027 if Apple runs into manufacturing or sturdiness points, significantly across the hinge or show.”

Apple was reportedly prioritizing the foldable iPhone and different premium fashions for its September occasion this yr attributable to constrained provides of elements like reminiscence chips. “Apple and the availability chain are working below a pressured timeline and the present options aren’t sufficient to utterly remedy the engineering problem… extra time is required,” Nikkei’s supply acknowledged.

The issues reportedly arose throughout Apple’s manufacturing verification exams. 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. Because the foldable could be an all-new design, it might probably 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 can 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 data from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman stating that the foldable iPhone remains to be on schedule for a September 2026 launch.