Apple's first foldable iPhone could use liquid metal for a stronger hinge

Apple is working on its first foldable iPhone, and a major supplier of the company could make a lot of money from a special material used in its design. Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known expert who follows Apple’s products, says that the new foldable iPhone will likely use a material called liquid metal in its hinge. The hinge is the part that allows the phone to fold and unfold. Using liquid metal in the hinge would make it stronger and last longer, which would help reduce the crease (line) that appears on the screen when the phone is folded.

Apple has not officially announced the foldable iPhone yet, but many reports suggest it will launch by the end of 2026. Once it arrives, Apple’s foldable phone will compete with other brands like Samsung and Oppo, which have already launched their own foldable phones.

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Yi’an Technology’s Important Role

A Chinese company called Dongguan Yi’an Technology is an important supplier for Apple. They are expected to be the only company providing the liquid metal parts for the foldable iPhone. According to Kuo, Yi’an Technology has already sent Apple over 10 million parts for the hinge by the end of last year. These parts are made using a special method called die-casting, which makes them strong and durable.

Yi’an Technology will make a lot of money from this deal. Kuo believes that the company’s revenue could increase by 200% and they might earn between CNY 1.5 billion (around ₹1780 crore) and CNY 2 billion (about ₹2370 crore).

Liquid Metal in Apple’s Design

Liquid metal is not a new material for Apple. In the past, Apple has used it for things like SIM ejector tools (the small tool used to remove the SIM card from your phone). But this will be the first time Apple uses liquid metal in a foldable smartphone, which is a big step forward.

The goal of using liquid metal in the hinge is to solve a common problem with foldable phones—the crease that forms in the middle of the screen when it is folded. By using this new material, Apple hopes to make the foldable iPhone stronger, more durable, and look better. This could give Apple a competitive advantage over other companies and make the phone more appealing to buyers.