iPhone Fold Latest: First foldable on track for release alongside iPhone 18
Relax, the iPhone Fold is on track for a launch alongside the iPhone 18 range in September, says a key Apple watcher
Just yesterday we brought news claiming Apple is trialling production of the iPhone Fold foldable phone ahead of a launch later this year. And now we have an update on when the device itself might be ready to launch from the most trusted reporter in Apple circles – Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
There has been plentiful debate about whether the device will arrive alongside the iPhone 18 range in September, or whether some manufacturing issues could push the release back to the end of the year. Now Gurman has weighed in with some good news. His sources are rejecting reports about manufacturing issues.
Today, he writes (via 9to5Mac): “Apple Inc.’s first foldable phone is on track to arrive during the company’s normal iPhone launch period later this year, people with knowledge of the matter said, rebutting concerns about major manufacturing snags. The company is scheduled to introduce the foldable model in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans haven’t been announced. Apple’s phones typically hit store shelves the week after they’re unveiled.”
Gurman’s reassurance comes after a Nikkei Asia report suggested there were “complex” issues being worked on that’ll take some time to sort out.
Nikkei writes: “Issues surrounding the engineering development of foldable iPhones are more complex and are taking more time to resolve than Apple had expected, and in the worst case scenario could delay the first shipment by months, according to multiple sources briefed on the matter.”
The report quoted a source, reputedly from within Apple, that “the current situation could put the mass production timeline at risk.”
Chris Smith
