Overview
- A Weibo leaker known as Instant Digital reported over the weekend that the foldable’s hinge fails Apple’s high‑frequency open‑close tests, halting trial production.
- The same posts say the inner screen now looks crease‑free in testing, with claims of long‑term stability.
- Reporting ties Apple’s hinge design to liquid metal parts, an amorphous alloy suppliers like Dongguan EonTec were tapped to provide, yet reliability still falls short.
- Release timing remains uncertain, with some coverage keeping a September debut possible if a fix lands soon and others warning production or customer availability could slip.
- Hinges are a known failure point in foldables, and Apple’s higher bar for durability raises the risk that even a fixable issue could delay mass production.