Foldable iPhone Ultra with Liquid Metal hinge enters carrier testing

The first foldable iPhone, increasingly referred to in leaks as the iPhone Ultra, may feature a hinge made from an amorphous metallic alloy called Liquid Metal. According to insider Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, development is progressing quickly, and prototypes have already been sent to carriers worldwide for testing.

The mention of Liquid Metal is significant given earlier rumors about production challenges. Reports had suggested that the hinge failed Apple's internal tests during extended open-and-close cycles. Fixed Focus Digital disputed that claim and now asserts that the hinge is a confirmed part of the design. If true, Apple may have solved a key engineering hurdle for its first foldable phone.

Liquid Metal is a high-strength amorphous alloy resistant to wear and corrosion. Apple has long held rights to use the material in consumer electronics but has mainly deployed it in small components, such as the SIM eject tool. Using it in a foldable hinge would be a much bolder move, as the mechanism must withstand hundreds of thousands of folding cycles.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously reported Apple's intention to use Liquid Metal in the foldable iPhone, with Dongguan EonTec as the exclusive supplier. Other leaks have suggested Apple also considered a 3D-printed titanium alloy, leaving the final material choice a matter of debate.

Handing prototypes to carriers indicates the device has likely moved into network compatibility and certification testing ahead of a commercial launch. Rumors point to mass production beginning in July, with a potential unveiling in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, though timelines could shift.

The iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a 7.8-inch internal display, a 5.5-inch external screen, an A20 chip, a C2 modem, Touch ID instead of Face ID, and a dual camera. Pricing is rumored to start around $2,000, which would make it one of Apple's most expensive smartphones.