Apple’s first foldable iPhone is experiencing mass production yield issues at the pre-assembly stage, claims the leak known as “Fixed Focus Digital.”
In a post today on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital said that Apple’s problems are not related to hinge reliability, as has been previously reported, but rather to surface mount technology (SMT) during pre-assembly, with production yields failing to increase. The leaker called the situation somewhat concerning, but stopped short of suggesting the fall launch is in jeopardy.
The update comes days after another leaker known as “Instant Digital” reported that the device’s hinge consistently failed to meet Apple’s quality control standards under prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing conditions. Instant Digital described this issue as one that “must be fixed with absolute perfection”, although a follow-up article suggests that the hinge difficulties are unlikely to affect the expected release window.
DigiTimes reported in April that production was already about one to two months behind schedule, while asserting that a fall 2026 launch remained on track, with mass production expected to begin in July. Fixed Focus Digital reported in April that pricing negotiations with Apple’s assembly partner were a potentially disruptive factor.
Whatever the precise nature of the problems, the picture that has emerged in recent weeks across several supply chain sources is one of unusual production difficulties. That said, a fall launch doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy; BloombergMark Gurman of Mark Gurman reported in April that the foldable iPhone remained on track for a September launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, and that Apple was aiming to put it on sale around the same time or a little later. Gurman noted at the time, however, that “the release is six months away and production has not yet ramped up” and that “the timing is not final.”
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, the A20 chip and C2 modem, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and dual rear cameras, with an estimated price of around $2,000.
