Apple’s foldable iPhone is taking a big step forward, and the company may have solved the one issue that has haunted every foldable phone for years. According to a new report, Apple has now produced around 100 early “iPhone Fold” units after a major breakthrough in eliminating the crease entirely.
If true, this would instantly put Apple ahead of every other foldable on the market.
Apple and Samsung Team Up, But Apple Reworks the Panel Itself
The foldable display is being manufactured by Samsung, but the report makes it clear that this is no simple parts order. Apple has allegedly redesigned core components of the panel, hinge system and manufacturing process to achieve a crease-free display.
As UDN reports:
“It is rumored that Apple has made breakthrough progress in the development of folding iPhone, solving the most criticized crease problem of non-Apple folding machines in the past, achieving a ‘crease-free design’
The inner screen is exclusively supplied by Samsung, but the panel structure, material processing process and laminated pressing method are all designed by Apple, and the key component bearings are also shared by Apple and two suppliers, New Rixing and Amfeno. Development, so that when the panel and bearing are integrated, the permanent creases of the traditional folding machine in the middle of the screen can be avoided.”
In other words: Apple didn’t just request better samples — it rebuilt the foldable panel from the inside out.
Foldables Have Been Around for Years, but Creases Still Haven’t Gone Away
Foldable phones have been on the market for seven years now, but two problems have stuck around:
- Dust getting trapped in the hinge and damaging the screen
- A visible crease running straight down the center when unfolded
Earlier this year, reports claimed Apple had finally approved Samsung’s latest samples after rejecting previous designs. If this new “breakthrough” is accurate, that approval now makes sense.
The iPhone Fold Enters EVT With Around 100 Units Built
The project has reportedly moved into EVT (engineering validation testing) one of the biggest milestones before full production. This step comes after the early prototype stage and is where Apple builds a batch of devices that function like the real product and look close to final hardware.
UDN says:
“It is reported that Honghai Group has established an exclusive production line for folding iPhone, which shows that folding iPhone is no longer in the experimental stage, but has entered the engineering verification and pre-production process.”
Typically, Apple makes roughly 100 units at EVT to test durability, hinge reliability, display behavior and day-to-day usability. If those units perform well, the device moves closer to mass production.
An Ultra-Premium Device With an Ultra-Premium Price
Rumors suggest Apple may brand the device as iPhone Ultra, reflecting its position above the Pro and Pro Max models. And it won’t be cheap, one recent analysis expects pricing to land around $2,400, easily making it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released.
When Will It Launch?
Current expectations point to a release sometime next year, assuming EVT goes smoothly and Apple signs off on the final hardware.
If Apple truly ships a crease-free foldable, it could be the biggest leap the category has seen since the first Galaxy Fold launched. Now it’s just a matter of seeing whether the breakthrough holds up and whether buyers are ready for a $2,400 iPhone that folds in half.
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