iPhone Fold achieves 'a visually crease-free state', according to leaker — but fears over the hinge could lead to delays

Renders of the potential iPhone foldable device — (Image credit: FPT)

This September, tech fans are eagerly awaiting Apple's debut of the foldable iPhone (possibly dubbed the iPhone Ultra). But several rumors have claimed that the highly anticipated new product may not arrive alongside the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro after all.

This past weekend, regular tipster Instant Digital doubled down on the assertion that Apple may delay the launch of the iPhone Ultra.

The good news

iPhone Fold final design leaked image — (Image credit: Credit: Majin Bu / edited with Gemini)

Per one of Instant Digital's weekend posts, Apple has successfully solved the problem of screen creases on a foldable display. Apple has "achieved a visually crease-free state" with "long-term stability," they claimed.

That seems to match previous reports that Apple had solved the issue. Previously, Instant Digital suggested that the iPhone Fold would be "truly highly modular" and repairable, including the display.

More detailed rumors have claimed that Apple is using a special layered glass and glue to get around the crease. It also utilizes a new liquid metal hinge.

The bad news

iPhone Fold 3D printed mockup — (Image credit: Subsy @ MakerWorld)

That liquid metal hinge, however, may be a problem, and according to Instant Digital's other post, may cause an indefinite delay to the release of the iPhone Fold.

"The core bottleneck now is the hinge; its reliability after frequent opening and closing consistently fails to meet Apple's quality control standards," they wrote (translated).

They go on to note that the mechanical wear issue could cause the delayed release.

For years, rumors have circulated that part of the delay with iPhone Fold was due to Apple's fervent desire to create a creaseless display. It's also been suggested that Apple's "quality control standards" have led to delays as well.

Instant Digital appears to believe that Apple is capable of solving the problem before September. "Apple doesn't want to delay unless there's absolutely no other way," they said in reply to a commenter.

It is only May, and Apple does have a couple more months to get its ducks in a row, but the timeline is getting shorter by the day. Of course, as previous rumors have also suggested the iPhone Fold won't start shipping until December.

This would (we hope) give Apple plenty of time to fix any issues with the hinge. Though it would be a huge blow to Apple's product announcements, especially with a new CEO set to deliver his first-ever iPhone hardware unveil with the whole industry watching.

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Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.