Apple ‘in discussions’ over folding iPhone test hub

Macworld

This fall’s new iPhones aren’t yet on store shelves—they officially go on sale today—but the eyes of Apple pundits have already turned to the next generation. Specifically, to the first-ever foldable iPhone, which is tentatively expected to launch in 2026.

There’s plenty of time for that to change before next fall. But the so-called iPhone Fold appears to have come a step closer to reality, with the news that Apple has spoken to suppliers in Taiwan about setting up a “test production line” for the device. Ultimately, this could lead to the folding iPhone being mass-produced in India, as Apple aims to reduce its reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

According to Nikkei Asia, discussions have focused on the idea of building in Taiwan “a mini pilot line that would verify the equipment and fine-tune the parameters and manufacturing steps for making a foldable iPhone.” If successful, this line would be replicated at scale in India, shortening the learning curve and helping to ensure a smooth rollout.

It would be reasonable at this point to feel skeptical. After all, we’re multiple speculative leaps away from a folding iPhone actually being launched: Apple isn’t building a folding iPhone, nor even running test production ahead of building a folding iPhone. It’s discussing the idea of setting up test production ahead of building a folding iPhone. When you put it like that, the idea sounds almost silly.

But the story has some substance to it. For one thing, Nikkei cites three sources who are “familiar with the talks” rather than the traditional two. (And that’s for reputable sites. It’s by no means unknown for media outlets to publish a report based on only a single source.) For another, there’s an impressive level of detail. The article mentions that the line would be built in “a plot of land in a northern Taiwanese city” and that it would need “roughly a thousand operators.” It also reports that Apple is looking to increase iPhone shipments by 10 percent next year, and that it expects a foldable model to spur demand.

Apple has long been unhappy about relying on China-based suppliers for its enormous manufacturing operation. In the past this was principally because of human-rights concerns, but political tensions have become more of a factor since President Trump returned to the White House.

For now the folding iPhone remains merely a rumor. But it’s believed that the iPhone Air was at one time intended to be a folding device, and that it remains a testbed for many features that will enable Apple to launch the first foldable iPhone in the following generation. It could of course be delayed yet again. But Apple’s plans in this regard will become clearer in 2026, and you can keep up with all the latest news and rumors in our regularly updated folding iPhone superguide.