As you may recall, last week we shared a report claiming Apple is planning to use liquid metal as a key component of the hinges it will use on its upcoming foldable iPhone. Now, a Chinese leaker has provided additional information about the hinge material Apple has chosen.
Weibo account Instant Digital says Apple has selected metallic glass (amorphous metal) for its foldable iPhone’s hinge mechanism. In last week’s report, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo referred to Apple’s use of “liquid metal,” which is also a common marketing term for the same material.
Apple iPhone folding screen device hinge material: amorphous alloy (metallic glass)
Advantages: amorphous particle structure, better resistance to bending, deformation, and dents, strength and hardness are 2.5 times higher than titanium alloy, and glossiness is also better (basically close to the high-end feeling of stainless steel that you like).
Unlike traditional metals that are made up of a regular, repeating crystalline atomic structure, metallic glass features a disordered arrangement of atoms, making it more resistant to bending, deformation, and denting.
Using liquid metal, which is manufactured using a die-casting process, as a key component in the hinges should allow Apple to address issues users commonly experience with foldable devices. It is expected to provide better screen flatness, and minimize the crease marks commonly seen in foldable displays.
While Apple has used liquid metal for minor components, such as SIM ejector pins, using it for the hinges on a foldable iPhone would mark the first time the company has used the material for a critical mechanical part.
Rumors about the foldable iPhone’s size range between 7.9 and 8.3 inches in size. The device is expected to use a book-style design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, although some say it may sport a “clamshell” design like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip device.
Kuo has previously said the foldable iPhone may include two rear cameras, a single front-facing camera, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. The device could measure just 4.5mm thick when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when closed.
Mass production of the first foldable iPhone is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, suggesting a possible late 2026 or early 2027 release.
(Image credit: Ming-Chi Kuo)
