After years of delay, Apple is finally preparing to jump into the foldable bandwagon and launch its first-ever foldable iPhone model. Based on previous rumors, the foldable iPhone is expected to arrive as early as 2026.
Nikkei Asia has now reported that Apple is in talks with its partners in Taiwan to start the test production there before commencing the mass production in one of its factories in China or India. Apple reportedly uses this test facility to "verify the equipment and fine-tune the parameters and manufacturing steps."
Selecting Taiwan as the test hub should come as no surprise, as the iPhone maker currently manufactures a significant portion of its chips on the island. However, sources familiar with the matter told Nikkei that the plan is not yet finalized and remains subject to change.
Launching a test hub in Taiwan also comes with its own challenges, including limited land and the shortage of experienced labor for iPhone production. The pilot line allegedly needs roughly a thousand operators.
Nikkei reports that Apple has informed suppliers that launching a foldable model could also increase demand for non-foldable variants, with Apple anticipating a 10 percent rise in total shipments by 2026.
Given that producing a foldable phone is more challenging than regular smartphones, Apple was initially expected to rely on its Chinese partners as the main producers of the first foldable iPhone. However, it now appears that Apple is considering India as a hub for mass production of the long-awaited device. To support this plan, the company is reportedly planning to launch a test line in India as well.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen, with a price estimated between $2,000 and $2,500. Recent reports also suggest that Apple may replace Face ID with a side-button Touch ID on its first foldable model.