Apple is once again encountering the same hurdle that has long separated foldable phones from truly well-rounded mobile devices: durability. The iPhone Ultra, also leaked for months as the iPhone Fold, is reportedly in the trial production phase at Foxconn, but this stage has brought a specific problem to light. While the foldable screen of these iPhone Ultras has achieved a visually stable state with no visible crease, the hinge is reportedly failing Apple’s durability tests, leading to speculation about further delays.
This situation has been developing for some time, as recent weeks have seen discussions about its price, dimensions, final design, the side-mounted Touch ID, and potential engineering-related delays. Now, new information points directly to the component that endures the most physical stress in any foldable device.
Apple Faces a Harsh Reality: The iPhone Ultra Struggles, Its Hinge Suffers Significant Wear in Stress Tests
According to a leak published on Weibo, the iPhone Fold (Ultra) has recently been hampered during its trial production phase. The positive aspect appears to be the screen, as Apple has reportedly tackled the “Zero” crease challenge, with internal results allowing for a long-lasting visual appearance without a visible mark on the panel. This aligns with expectations for Apple, a company unlikely to launch its first foldable with a noticeable crease down the middle of the screen, as seen with its competitors already on the market.
The issue lies with the hinge, a critical component that is proving to be a major challenge for the Cupertino giant. The publication asserts that long-term reliability after frequent opening and closing cycles still falls short of Apple’s minimum quality standards. This is not a trivial matter, but rather something crucial given that the phone will be subjected to considerable mechanical wear during use.
In a foldable phone, the hinge is the heart of the product, as it influences rigidity, the feel of the opening mechanism, panel alignment, longevity, and even the final thickness of the device. It is, in essence, the ‘holy grail’ that Apple is striving to perfect and surpass.
It Is Highly Probable That It Will Be Delayed Again, and Perhaps, Have Its Own Individual Launch
The details are significant because Apple reportedly has the rest of the product well-defined. Previous leaks have hinted at a book-style device with an external 5.5-inch OLED display and an internal 7.8-inch OLED panel. There have also been discussions about a thickness of 4.7 mm when open and 9.23 mm when closed, with a maximum of approximately 13.7 mm in the camera module area. When folded, its leaked dimensions are reportedly 120.59 mm in height by 83.79 mm in width, while unfolded it would reach 167.59 mm in width, making it quite disruptive and breaking the current mold.
Commercially, the device is also expected to be expensive. Leaked figures suggested a starting price of $1,999 in the United States for the 256 GB version, with potential European prices around €2,399 for 256 GB, €2,659 for 512 GB, and €2,899 for 1 TB. There have also been mentions of an Apple A20 Pro SoC, 12 GB of LPDDR5X memory, a dual rear camera, a “hole-punch” front camera, white and black color options, the absence of a MagSafe ring, and integrated side-mounted Touch ID.
The leaked schedule indicated mass production around July, meaning in just over a month and a half, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, with a synchronized launch later. However, if the hinge does not pass the wear validation, this schedule for the iPhone Ultra becomes uncertain. Apple could continue to delay its progress until the mechanical issue is resolved, as launching a foldable device costing over $2,000 with durability concerns would be a rather clumsy way to debut a category it has been avoiding for years, and where it aims to break the mold by achieving what others have not yet accomplished.
