In an X post, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple will useliquid metal hinges in the upcoming foldable iPhone. Presumably, such tech will also be used in the rumored foldable iPads and Macs.
From Kuo’s post: Apple is focused on improving durability, enhancing screen flatness, and minimizing crease marks in its foldable iPhone design. To achieve these goals, key components like the hinges will be crafted from liquid metal using a die-casting process. As the exclusive supplier of liquid metal, EonTec is expected to be the primary beneficiary of this shift.
Apple has been using liquid metal for small components for years (such as SIM ejector pins), but the foldable iPhone will mark its first major use of the material in a critical mechanical part. By the end of 2024, EonTec has shipped over 10 million central shafts, key hinge components made from liquid metal. As Android smartphone brands gear up to compete with the upcoming foldable iPhone, they are expected to increasingly adopt liquid metal for their hinges, driving rapid growth in the liquid metal market.
Here are what Kuo expects to see as the hardware specs in an “iPhone Fold”:
° Touch ID returns as a side button, as Face ID may be absent due to thickness and internal space constraints.
° The foldable iPhone will have a book-style design, featuring an approximately 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and an approximately 5.5-inch outer display.
° The rear camera features a dual-lens setup, with one front-facing camera available in both folded and unfolded states.
° It will measure 9–9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5–4.8mm when unfolded.
° The hinge will combine stainless steel and titanium alloy, while the casing opts for titanium alloy.
° It will use the same high-density battery cells as the ultra-thin iPhone 17.
Speaking of the “iPhone Fold,” leaker “yeux1122” — as noted by MacRumors — says Apple is putting a heavy focus on improving power efficiency while slimming down key components in the device with battery capacity now a key priority.
The rumor mill generally predicts that a foldable iPhone and iPad will enter production in the second half of 2026.
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