Apple Reportedly Uses Titanium And Aluminum Materials On The Rangka IPhone Fold

Jakarta Apple is reportedly preparing its first foldable device, the iPhone Fold, with a frame design that uses a combination of aluminum and titanium materials. This information comes from the records of analyst Jeff Pu reported by 9to5Mac.

In the report, it is stated that the iPhone Fold will adopt a hybrid structure, in which the main framework is made of aluminum to keep the weight light, while the hinge part will use titanium. The titanium material is thought to be a form of early application of Liquid Metal technology, namely liquid metal which has strong characteristics, is deformation resistant, and is very suitable for use on moving components such as hinges.

This rumor reinforces a previous report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who said that Apple had considered using stainless steel steel (stainless steel) frameworks. However, this choice is considered less ideal because of its much heavier weight than aluminum or titanium.

In comparison, the iPhone Air which has a titanium frame weighs about 5.82 ounces. If the iPhone Fold design really resembles two iPhone Air combined through a hinge, the total weight of the device can reach 11.64 ounces or about 0.73 pounds. This figure is heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 which weighs 7.58 ounces (0.47 pounds).

For this reason, the use of aluminum and titanium is considered more balanced between strength and weight efficiency. Aluminum plays a role in maintaining device relief, while titanium provides additional durability to the hinge which is the main folding point.

Apple is estimated to still have about a year to perfect the iPhone Fold design before it is likely to launch in 2026. The main challenge facing the company is to reduce the thickness and weight of the device in order to compete with other folding products in the market.

Currently, the iPhone Air has a thickness of 5.4 millimeters, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is only 4.2 millimeters. Thus, Apple still needs to optimize design and technology so that the iPhone Fold does not feel too thick and heavy in the hands of users.

Although rumors about the iPhone Fold have continued to grow since 2019, until now there has been no official confirmation from Apple regarding its launch schedule. Some analysts even think that the development of this folding screen technology can be delayed or shifted to focus as the company's attention to competitive computing products such as Apple Vision Pro increases.

If another delay occurs, it is likely that the iPhone Fold will be one of Apple's experimental projects that never hit the market.