Apple fans may have to wait longer to get hold of the company’s first foldable iPhone. According to a Nikkei Asia report, the Cupertino-based company is facing g setbacks in the engineering test phase of its first ever foldable iPhone, which could lead to delays in its mass production and product shipment schedule.
According to previous rumours, the foldable iPhone was expected to debut later this year alongside the iPhone 18 series. The report said that issues identified during the engineering test stage could push back mass production and shipments of the device. In a worst-case scenario, the launch timeline could be delayed by several months.As per the report, Apple is encountering more complex issues than expected during early test production.
“It’s true that more issues than expected have emerged during the early test production phase, and additional time will be needed to resolve them and make necessary adjustments,” a person familiar with the matter told the publication.“April will mark a crucial stage of the engineering verification test, and this month till early May is extremely critical,” the person added.Nikkei Asia previously reported the company has adjusted its iPhone launch strategy for 2026, pushing back production of the standard model to early 2027 in order to prioritize premium models, including foldable iPhones, and to better allocate constrained supplies of memory chips and other key resources.
But a source told the publication that the delay is not linked to supply shortages but to engineering difficulties. “Apple and the supply chain are working under a pressured timeline and the current solutions are not enough to completely solve the engineering challenges. … More time is needed”. The report said some component suppliers have been informed that production schedules could be pushed back. However, not all suppliers have received such updates.
Apple and its partners are continuing to work on resolving the issues, as any delay could affect the company’s broader launch plans and marketing strategy.
Apple foldable iPhone: Expected design and features
According to previous reports, the foldable iPhone will include an external screen about the size of a small iPhone display. The internal foldable screen will open to a larger display.Apple has reportedly worked on reducing the crease that appears when the screen is folded.
The company has used a different display technology that may reduce the crease, though it may still be visible.The device is also designed to improve durability by increasing the number of times the screen can be folded and unfolded before wearing out. The external display will include a hole-punch cutout for the front camera. This will replace the pill-shaped notch used on current iPhones.Apple is expected to remove the Face ID system on this device and instead include Touch ID in the side button. This would mark the first iPhone with a fingerprint sensor since the third-generation iPhone SE released in 2022.The foldable iPhone is expected to include two rear cameras. Reports suggest the device may be priced at around $2,000 and positioned at the top of Apple’s iPhone lineup.
