JAKARTA - Apple's ambition to bring a foldable iPhone seems to still face a difficult road. The device, which is widely referred to as the Ultra iPhone, is now rumored to potentially be delayed until 2027 due to serious problems with the hinge component.
The information comes from the Momentary Digital technology leaker on the Weibo platform which was then quoted by NotebookCheck. In its report, Apple is said to have been unable to meet the company's internal quality standards regarding the durability of the hinge of the folding device.
The main problem is said to arise after the device is used in the long term. The iPhone Ultra hinge is rumored to have decreased performance after going through an intensive opening-closing cycle, something of great concern for Apple which is known to have very strict durability standards.
This rumor immediately sparked speculation that Apple's first foldable iPhone project could experience an "indefinite delay" or a delay without a definite schedule. However, many analysts believe Apple is unlikely to cancel the project entirely, given that the company has been said to be very close to the finalization stage of the product.
If the constraints can be overcome in the next year, then the biggest possibility is that the Ultra iPhone will debut in 2027. Even so, there is still a chance that Apple will still introduce the device in the September event this year before the commercial release is carried out later.
Interestingly, in the midst of the hinge problem, Apple is said to have managed to solve one of the biggest challenges of folding smartphones: a visible screen crease.
According to the same leak, the iPhone Ultra screen is now said to be "visually creaseless" or almost without any creases even after long-term use. This is great news considering that almost all of the folding phones on the market today still leave visible creases in the middle of the screen.
Even premium devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 still have a thin crease even though the technology continues to evolve from generation to generation.
For years, many observers have judged that Apple is deliberately delaying its entry into the foldable phone market because it is not satisfied with the quality of the screen and durability available in the current industry. Apple is known to prefer to enter later than releasing products that are considered immature.
If this rumor is accurate, then Apple seems to be trying to present a different approach: not just a regular folding iPhone, but a premium device with a visual experience close to a conventional smartphone.
If it is released successfully, the Ultra iPhone is expected to be released simultaneously with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max lines in Apple's annual agenda in September.
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