Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone is still not official, but the hardware gossip around it is getting spicy. According to a new rumour, one of the key reasons Apple has taken so long with the so-called iPhone Fold is because the company wants a design that feels genuinely different from current foldable phones — especially when it comes to the dreaded inner-screen crease.
For anyone who has tested a Galaxy Z Fold or other Android foldables, you already know the vibe: the device feels futuristic, but that line down the middle of the display is always there. Some people get used to it. Some people never stop noticing it. Apple reportedly wants to avoid that problem as much as possible.
The big deal: a liquid metal hinge
The rumoured solution is a liquid metal hinge. Based on the report, this hinge could be the part that helps Apple reduce the visible crease on the iPhone Fold’s inner display. It is also said to work together with Ultra-Thin Glass, using different thicknesses to improve how the screen bends and holds up over time.
That matters because foldables are not normal phones. Every open-and-close motion stresses the hinge, the OLED panel, and the glass layer. If any part of that system is weak, the display can degrade faster. We have already seen cases where foldable Android phones developed screen cracking after extended use, often linked to how the hinge handles pressure over time.
So if Apple has really found a cleaner hinge design, no wonder competitors are paying attention.
Rivals may copy the approach fast
The interesting part of the rumour is not just that Apple may use this liquid metal hinge. It is that rival foldable phone makers are reportedly interested in adopting similar tech too. That suggests the design may be seen as a serious durability upgrade, not just another Apple marketing flex.
The hinge is also expected to be one of the more expensive components inside the iPhone Fold. That tracks with Apple’s usual approach: if the company enters a category late, it normally tries to justify the price with build quality, materials, and polish. Whether that actually works in real life is another question, lah.
The report also mentions Apple has faced quality control concerns, including a rumoured “rattling” hinge issue. So this is not a guaranteed smooth launch story. Foldables are hard to engineer, and Apple’s brand reputation means it cannot afford a first-gen foldable that feels fragile after a few months.
Why Malaysia and SEA buyers should care
For Malaysian users, this is more than just tech nerd drama. Foldables are premium devices here, often priced like a gaming laptop or full PC setup. If Apple launches an iPhone Fold, expect it to sit in the ultra-premium zone — likely not cheap at all once converted to RM and after local taxes, storage upgrades, AppleCare, and accessories.
That means durability is everything. Malaysian buyers who spend big usually want the phone to last at least three to four years, especially if they are buying through telco plans, instalments, or trade-in cycles. A better hinge could make the difference between “wah, futuristic” and “bro, repair bill sakit.”
It could also push Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, vivo, and other brands active in SEA to improve their own foldable designs faster. That is good news for consumers. Even if you never buy an iPhone Fold, Apple entering the space with a stronger hinge could force Android brands to step up crease reduction and long-term durability.
Still just a rumour for now
For now, Samsung is reportedly exploring a wider folding design similar to Apple’s approach, but there is no confirmation that it will use the same liquid metal hinge technology. Apple itself has not officially announced the iPhone Fold, so treat all of this carefully.
Still, if this rumour is accurate, Apple may not be trying to be first in foldables. It may be trying to be the company that makes the category feel safer for mainstream buyers. Very Apple move, honestly.
Source: Wccftech Gaming