Apple’s Foldable iPhone May Be Cheaper to Make Than Expected

Apple’s long-rumored foldable may cost less to manufacture than expected due to a significant price drop in the hinge component. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s production partners have optimized the hinge design and scaled operations, cutting costs in a crucial area of foldable phone manufacturing.

Hinge Costs Drop by Up to $40

Kuo reports that the hinge designed for the foldable iPhone will carry an average selling price of around $70 to $80 during mass production. This ASP is well below earlier market expectations of $100 to $120 or more.

And no, a lower price doesn’t mean Apple is compromising on quality or using cheaper materials. Apple and its partners achieved the price reduction through “assembly design optimization” and strategic production scaling.

Foxconn and SZS Lead Hinge Production

Foxconn, Apple’s leading production partner, has entered a joint venture with Taiwanese hinge maker Shin Zu Shing (SZS) to handle the majority of Apple’s hinge orders. This new partnership is said to have secured about 65% of the total hinge production, while U.S.-based Amphenol will supply the remaining 35%.

Besides Foxconn and Amphenol, Luxshare-ICT, one of Apple’s fastest-growing manufacturing partners, could join as an additional hinge supplier after 2027, notes Kuo.

Why It’s a Big Deal for Apple

Foldable phones are expensive to build, and the hinge plays a critical role in both production costs and reliability. The said $30 to $40 reduction in the hinge pricing gives Apple more flexibility to either improve its profit margins or price the foldable iPhone more competitively against established players like Samsung and Huawei.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to debut in the fall of 2026 alongside the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Would you buy a foldable iPhone if Apple prices it competitively? Share your thoughts in the comments below.