(C) ESR

CUPERTINO – For years, the tech world has waited for Apple to make its move into the foldable market. Now, new leaks suggest that the wait is nearly over, and Apple’s solution to the industry’s biggest headache—the screen crease—might set a new gold standard for the industry.

According to industry insiders and recent reports from supply chain analysts, the upcoming "iPhone Fold" (tentative name) is expected to debut as early as this fall, boasting a level of structural perfection that significantly outpaces its current competitors.

The 0.15mm Breakthrough
The most striking detail comes from IT tipster Fixed Focus Digital, who revealed via Weibo that Apple has achieved a crease depth of less than 0.15mm. To put this in perspective, a standard sheet of A4 paper is approximately 0.1mm thick. A crease shallower than two sheets of paper would be virtually imperceptible to the naked eye and barely felt by a finger gliding across the 7.8-inch internal display.

In comparison, Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 is rumored to maintain a crease depth of around 0.7mm. If these figures hold true, Apple’s foldable will feature a crease nearly four times shallower than that of its primary rival.

Precision Engineering: The 2.5-Degree Hinge
It’s not just about depth. The "iPhone Fold" reportedly utilizes a high-precision hinge system designed to keep the folding angle below 2.5 degrees when unfolded. This ultra-flat curvature ensures that the light reflection—the primary reason creases are visible—is minimized, creating a seamless tablet-like experience.

Industry analysts suggest that Apple’s delay in entering the foldable space was intentional. "Apple’s philosophy has always been 'not first, but best,'" says tech consultant Marcus Miller. "By waiting for display technology to mature, they appear to have bypassed the 'growing pains' of visible creases and hinge durability that have plagued other manufacturers for generations."

Production Underway for a Fall Debut
The reports further claim that manufacturing lines have already received orders for the foldable panels, suggesting that the device has moved past the prototyping stage into mass production. This aligns with projections that Apple will unveil the foldable alongside the iPhone 18 series in September 2026.

Key Rumored Specifications:

Main Display: 7.8-inch Flexible OLED (Internal)
Cover Display: 5.5-inch OLED
Thickness: Approx. 4.5mm (Unfolded) / 9.0mm (Folded)
Biometrics: Touch ID integrated into the power button
Materials: Titanium frame and a proprietary "Liquidmetal" hinge alloy

The Verdict
While Samsung currently dominates the foldable market with its proven Z Fold and Z Flip series, Apple’s entry with a "crease-free" device could trigger a massive shift in consumer loyalty. If the iPhone Fold delivers on these "perfect finish" promises, it may turn foldables from a niche luxury into the new mainstream standard for the smartphone industry.