Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone is edging closer to reality, and new details from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest that one of its most complex components, the hinge, will be far less expensive to produce than expected. According to Kuo’s latest report, the hinge designed for the foldable iPhone will carry an average selling price (ASP) of $70 to $80 when mass production begins, compared to previous market estimates of $100 to $120 or higher.
This cost reduction is not due to cheaper materials but to what Kuo describes as “assembly design optimisation” and Foxconn’s influence in scaling production. Such efficiencies could prove vital as Apple prepares to enter the competitive foldable market currently dominated by Samsung and Huawei.
Foxconn and Shin Zu Shing Take the Lead
At the heart of this strategy is a new joint venture between Foxconn and Taiwanese hinge specialist Shin Zu Shing (SZS). Together, they are expected to handle around 65% of Apple’s hinge orders for the foldable iPhone. U.S.-based Amphenol will supply the remaining 35%. Foxconn reportedly holds a slightly larger stake in the partnership and is taking a leading role in “steering future direction.”
This collaboration allows Apple to leverage both Foxconn’s mass production capabilities and SZS’s expertise in precision hinge mechanisms. The joint venture’s efficiency is thought to be key in achieving the lower ASP, as it consolidates supply chain operations while maintaining quality standards critical to Apple’s design philosophy.
Lower Costs, Higher Margins
Foldable smartphones are notoriously complex to manufacture, with the hinge being one of the most technically demanding, and expensive, elements. It must endure thousands of folds without compromising the display’s alignment or durability, making it both a mechanical and engineering challenge.
A reduction in hinge costs by $20 to $40 per unit could have significant implications for Apple’s pricing strategy. It might allow the company to offer the foldable iPhone at a more competitive retail price, or alternatively, maintain premium pricing while boosting profit margins. Either approach would strengthen Apple’s position in the foldable segment, particularly as it faces competition from established players with several generations of foldable devices already in the market.
Kuo’s report also indicates that Luxshare-ICT, one of Apple’s fastest-growing manufacturing partners, could join as an additional hinge supplier after 2027. This would introduce further competition and potentially drive hinge costs even lower, setting the stage for more cost-efficient designs in future foldable products.
Engineering for the Future
The hinge mechanism will be central to the foldable iPhone’s success. Apple is reportedly exploring several designs, ranging from robust stainless steel and Liquid Metal structures to lighter aluminium and titanium frames similar to those used in the iPhone Air. Each option balances weight, durability, and smoothness of operation, essential traits for a foldable device expected to meet Apple’s high standards of performance and longevity.
While the lower hinge cost is promising, it remains uncertain whether this will translate into a lower retail price for consumers. Apple may instead choose to preserve its profit margins, especially for a first-generation device likely to attract early adopters willing to pay a premium.
According to Kuo, Apple’s first foldable iPhone is slated for release in the autumn of 2026, launching alongside the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. By that time, the company’s refined hinge design, enhanced supplier partnerships, and cost efficiencies could help it make a strong entrance into the evolving foldable smartphone market.
If Apple’s design and pricing strategies align, the foldable iPhone could redefine expectations for durability and performance in foldable technology, setting a new standard for the next generation of mobile devices.
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