Apple foldable iPhone hinge costs drop to $70-$80 in mass production

Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone appears closer to production after analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the device's hinge could cost about $70 to $80 per unit in mass production, substantially below prior estimates of $100 to $120. Kuo said the lower component cost, combined with a manufacturing partnership led by Foxconn, could improve Apple's margin or create room for more aggressive pricing when the phone is expected to debut in late 2026.

Kuo attributed the cost decline to an optimized hinge design and Foxconn's scale in assembly. Production of the hinge will be handled primarily by a joint venture between Foxconn and Shin Zu Shing, which has secured approximately 65 percent of Apple's orders, while Amphenol is set to supply the remaining roughly 35 percent. Kuo said another supplier, Luxshare, may begin supplying hinges after 2027 if demand rises, a development that could further reduce component costs through competition.

The hinge is central to the iPhone Fold's engineering challenge because it must support a flexible internal display and withstand repeated opening and closing without excessive weight or visible creasing. Reports circulating about the device describe...