An iPhone Fold manufacturing line is being established in preparation for the introduction of the inaugural folding iPhone next year, and a new supply-chain report indicates that it is nearly ready to commence production. This news follows a recent report highlighting that Apple is in the process of testing realistic prototypes of the device.
The facility is said to possess the capability to produce screens for approximately twice the number of devices that Apple actually anticipates selling.
### The Extended Journey to an iPhone Fold
Folding smartphones have existed since 2018, yet Apple chose its renowned “best, not first” strategy – waiting until they believed they could develop something truly worthwhile.
The merits of this strategy were underscored by Samsung’s unfortunate launch of the Galaxy Fold, with similar issues remaining for multiple generations.
In addition to ensuring that a folding phone would not be compromised by dust, one of Apple’s primary concerns was reportedly the prominently visible crease in the expanded screen. In fact, the company was said to be so displeased with initial samples that it instructed its suppliers to start from scratch.
Earlier this year, it was reported that display partner Samsung finally crafted something that met Apple’s standards, with compelling evidence supporting this claim. The screen developed for the iPhone Fold was suggested to be more advanced than those used in its own folding devices at the time, with Apple reportedly approving production.
### iPhone Fold Manufacturing Line Nearly Complete
A recent supply-chain report states that last year, Samsung commenced work on a specialized production line for iPhone Fold displays, which is now nearly finished, according to ET News.
> Samsung Display has begun preparations to manufacture organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) for foldable iPhones. It is understood that they are creating a production line specifically for Apple’s foldable display […] It is reported that activities such as equipment replacement started in the latter half of last year, and it has reached the final phase.
### Will Feature Double the Capacity Apple Anticipates Requiring
The iPhone Fold is anticipated to carry a significantly high price point that will likely constrain demand, yet it appears Apple aims to be ready should the new model turn out to be unexpectedly popular.
Previous reports have indicated that Apple expects to sell 6-8M units in the initial year, but today’s report states that Samsung will be capable of producing twice as many screens if necessary.
> The production capacity is 35,000 sheets monthly based on the 6th generation glass director. When converted to the 7-inch foldable OLED standard, it can yield 15 million panels annually.
Although the precise specifications may not have been finalized yet, we did get a glimpse at some specifications of the prototypes currently under testing: a 7.58-inch unfolded screen size, dual 48MP rear cameras, and a titanium chassis.
