Overview
- A well‑known Weibo leaker called Fixed Focus Digital said Tuesday that surface‑mount technology (SMT) problems during PCB pre‑assembly are limiting production yields for Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
- That update disputes an earlier leak blaming hinge durability by saying the hinge is not the primary source of the current production bottleneck.
- Accessory listings and dummy units published across late May have continued to converge on the device’s likely design, showing a dual‑lens rear camera, an outer 5.5‑inch screen and an inner ~7.8‑inch foldable display.
- Bloomberg and other supply‑chain reports still list a September debut as the target, but sources describe the situation as pessimistic and warn that unresolved SMT issues could push availability later or shrink initial supply.
- Foldable displays and hinges require new materials and tight tolerances, so problems at SMT and PCB mounting can slow mass production and may give existing Android foldable makers more time to consolidate market share while consumers wait.