iPhone Fold To Feature 3D Printed Hinge To Lower Costs, But Rattling Problems Risk Launch Timeline As Samsung Begins M16 OLED Manufacturing
https://wccftech.com/iphone-fold-3d-printed-hinge-problems-to-cause-potential-launch-delay/
Publish Date: 2026-06-22 06:33:00
Source Domain: wccftech.com
- 0-20%: Unlikely – Lacks credible sources
- 21-40%: Questionable – Some concerns remain
- 41-60%: Plausible – Reasonable evidence
- 61-80%: Probable – Strong evidence
- 81-100%: Highly Likely – Multiple reliable sources
Apple has reportedly given Samsung the green light to begin OLED manufacturing of the iPhone Fold, with the exclusive deal churning out 3 million units for this year’s initial supply. Some of the most advanced display technologies, such as Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) paired with M16, are expected to be paired together, but it’ll matter little if the iPhone Fold cannot enter timely production due to its 3D printed hinge issues.
Samsung’s exclusive deal with Apple will bring the most advanced OLED to the iPhone Fold, but the launch delay could be exacerbated by hinge issues
The liquid metal 3D printed hinge could be adopted for the first time in a foldable smartphone’s history, ushering a new wave of adoption from Apple’s competitors. Unfortunately, this crucial component has previously been rumored to exhibit rattling sounds when assembled, a claim that was shot down by a tipster, but has exhumed once again courtesy of Korean media The Elec.
The report mentions that September is the launch month being discussed for the iPhone Fold, but obtaining stability for the hinges is an area where Apple is experiencing a torrent of problems. A low-quality hinge will not just affect the device’s crease visibility, but it’ll also impact the feel of opening and closing the iPhone Fold, which has so far proven to be a major obstacle for Apple.
As Samsung readies its production lines to mass manufacture the M16 OLED, assembling the iPhone Fold could be impacted by 15 days to a month if the underlying hinge issues aren’t resolved. Inspecting each individual unit will not only increase the time to package each smartphone but also mean there will be fewer units available on…
