Apple’s first foldable iPhone has run into serious engineering problems. A new report from Nikkei Asia says the issues are more complex than Apple expected. The company may not be able to resolve them in time for a 2026 launch.
This is the most significant setback yet for a device that Apple fans have been waiting years to see.
What the Nikkei Asia Report Says
According to Nikkei Asia, Apple has encountered multiple issues during the engineering test phase of the foldable iPhone. These are not minor bugs. The problems are described as complex and time-consuming to fix. Component suppliers have already received notifications that the production schedule may be pushed back.
One source familiar with the matter said: “More issues than expected have emerged during the early test production phase, and additional time will be needed to resolve them and make necessary adjustments. The current situation could put the mass production timeline at risk.”
In the worst-case scenario, the report says the launch could be delayed by several months — potentially into 2027.
Bloomberg Pushes Back: September Is Still On
Not everyone agrees that a delay is coming. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has a strong track record on Apple leaks, published a report soon after saying the iPhone Fold is still on track. According to Gurman, Apple plans to announce the device in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Gurman did acknowledge that the device’s complexity may limit initial supply. But he said Apple is still aiming to launch the foldable phone at roughly the same time as, or shortly after, the standard iPhone 18 models.
So the two reports are in direct conflict. Nikkei points to risk; Bloomberg says it is business as usual.
A Separate Theory: It Is About the Hinge
A Chinese leaker called Fixed Focus Digital offered a different explanation. According to this source, the delay is not caused by the display or components. Instead, it comes down to pricing negotiations with manufacturing partners and an unresolved decision about the hinge material.
Apple has been working on a liquid metal hinge design. This type of hinge is harder and more durable than traditional materials, and it plays a key role in how thin the phone can be when folded. If Apple and its suppliers cannot agree on cost or specs, that alone could delay the timeline.
What We Know About the iPhone Fold (iPhone Ultra)
If and when it does launch, the iPhone Fold is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious products Apple has ever made. Recent leaks suggest it may actually be called the iPhone Ultra rather than iPhone Fold.
Here is a summary of what has been reported so far:
- Display: A 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch inner screen when open, similar in proportions to an iPad mini
- Design: Around 4.5mm thin when open, making it Apple’s thinnest device ever
- Chip: Apple’s A20, built on TSMC’s 2nm process — up to 15% faster than the A19
- RAM: 12GB, supplied by Samsung
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations
- Battery: Reported to be between 5,400mAh and 5,800mAh
- Crease: Apple says it has solved the visible crease problem that affects most Android foldables
- Colors: Possibly only black and white at launch
- Price: Leaks suggest a starting price around $2,000 to $2,320, going up to $2,900 for the top storage tier
For a deeper look at everything that has been confirmed so far, check out our full roundup: Apple Foldable iPhone: Every Rumor and Leak Confirmed So Far.
Why the Delay Rumor Makes Sense
Foldable phones are genuinely difficult to make. Samsung has been building them since 2019, and even it still deals with durability and crease complaints. Apple is attempting to enter the market with a device that is thinner, crease-free, and more premium than anything currently available. That is an extraordinarily high bar.
The hinge alone is a major engineering challenge. Making something that folds and unfolds hundreds of thousands of times without developing a crease, while also keeping the whole phone under 10mm thick when closed, requires precision that takes time to get right.
It is also worth remembering that Apple has been known to delay products when they are not ready. The original AirPods were delayed by weeks. Apple Intelligence features have been rolled out in stages rather than all at once. Getting the foldable iPhone right matters more than getting it out fast.
What This Means for You
If you are planning to buy the iPhone Fold at launch, here is the honest picture: the September timeline is still possible, but it is no longer certain. A late 2026 launch or even a 2027 slip cannot be ruled out.
If you are thinking about the iPhone 18 Pro instead, that device appears to be on a normal schedule. You can read everything we know about it here: iPhone 18 Pro: Every Rumored Feature Confirmed So Far.
We will update this story as more information comes in. Given how much is riding on Apple’s first foldable phone, you can expect more leaks and counter-leaks in the weeks ahead.
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