Reported issues in the engineering testing phase for the iPhone Fold could delay the launch of Apple's most expensive phone by several months, possibly pushing it back to next year. Multiple sources indicate that suppliers have been warned that they may have to delay production of components for the new device.
See also: iPhone Fold enters test production phase
Apple had originally planned the iPhone Fold to launch sometime after the iPhone 18 Pro, with a Barclays analyst suggesting a December launch instead of a simultaneous launch with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models in September.
This pattern is not unprecedented. It was first seen with the iPhone X in 2017 and has been repeated with the iPhone XR and iPhone 14 Plus. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman later backed up this view, stating that there is no doubt about the launch delay. A new report from Nikkei Asia says that Apple has encountered problems during the engineering testing phase for the iPhone Fold. The complexities surrounding the engineering development of foldable iPhones are taking longer to resolve than Apple had anticipated and, in a worst-case scenario, could delay the first shipment by months.
See also: Apple is preparing the 'Biggest Changes' in iPhone History
The issue has been partially revealed through notifications to component suppliers about potential delays in their production schedules, with Nikkei citing sources within Apple. One of the sources noted: “It is true that more issues than expected have arisen during the early test production phase, and it will take additional time to resolve and make the necessary adjustments. The current situation could jeopardize the mass production schedule.” There is a possibility that this is simply a new report on a delayed release schedule that was already expected.
In other words, Barclays and Bloomberg may have identified the expected timeline, while Nikkei has gathered more details. It makes sense that Apple would have planned a later release of the new model to maximize production capacity for both the Pro models and the iPhone Fold. If that’s the case, this report suggests possible delays to that phased release plan.
See also: Foldable iPhone uses double layer of glass to reduce bending
Given that Barclays had estimated a December launch for the iPhone Fold, any delays that the company cannot resolve quickly could easily push the launch to next year.
