Reports have emerged suggesting that Apple’s highly anticipated foldable iPhone may face delays in its release, originally slated for the latter half of this year.
According to industry insiders, Taiwan’s United Daily News (UDN) has reported that Apple’s supply chain partners have raised concerns about potential setbacks in the launch of the foldable iPhone.
Apple is sourcing many components for this innovative device from Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers, including industry giants like Foxconn, TSMC, Shin Zu Shing, Chi Hong, and Largan Precision.
In a recent earnings call, Largan Precision’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lin Enping, hinted at a busier-than-usual fourth quarter due to shifts in major clients’ product launch schedules. He noted that while some new products are expected to debut in the third quarter, others might be pushed back to early 2027.
Industry experts speculate that Apple is the major client Lin alluded to. The third-quarter launches likely refer to the iPhone 18 Pro series, while the products facing delays until 2027 are believed to be the foldable iPhone.
Adding to the uncertainty, Shin Zu Shing, the expected supplier of hinge components for the foldable iPhone, confirmed that Apple has yet to finalize the release timeline.
This isn’t the first time rumors of delays have circulated. Back in April, Japan’s Nikkei Asia reported that Apple had notified suppliers about potential postponements in component delivery, citing technical hurdles in the foldable iPhone’s development process.
However, not all analysts are convinced that the foldable iPhone’s debut will be pushed as far back as 2027.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests a different scenario: The foldable iPhone might still be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in September, with its actual release potentially delayed by just one to two months.
This staggered release strategy could be a calculated move to prevent the foldable iPhone from cannibalizing sales of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. It’s worth noting that Apple employed a similar tactic in 2017, unveiling the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X simultaneously in September, but delaying the iPhone X’s release until November.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its release date, many industry watchers remain optimistic about the foldable iPhone’s potential to catalyze growth in the foldable phone market.
Market research firm IDC projects that the launch of the foldable iPhone could boost global foldable phone shipments by 30% year-over-year in 2026. The firm believes that Apple’s entry into this space will mark a significant turning point for the foldable phone market.