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Hinge Failures Reportedly Stall Testing of Apple’s Foldable iPhone

A Weibo leak says the hinge fails durability tests, putting Apple’s strict quality bar in conflict with launch timing.

Overview

  • Multiple reports Monday cite Weibo leaker Instant Digital saying trial runs of Apple’s foldable iPhone have stalled because the hinge fails quality checks after rapid, repeated opens and closes.
  • The same leak claims Apple’s inner screen now looks crease‑free in tests with what is described as long‑term visual stability.
  • Release timing remains uncertain, with some outlets repeating talk of an indefinite delay while others note a September debut still looks possible if Apple fixes the hinge in time to ramp production.
  • Earlier supply‑chain notes point to a hinge built with Liquid Metal, an amorphous alloy from supplier Dongguan EonTec that resists bending and wear, yet the current design reportedly still falls short in stress testing.
  • These details are unconfirmed and come from leakers with mixed records, and separate reporting has floated later timelines, including a push to 2027, so expectations should be tentative.