Foxconn Begins Trial Production of Apple’s Foldable iPhone: Here’s What It Means for Tech Investors

• Early demand: Driven by loyal iPhone users looking to upgrade.
• Market shift: Direct competition for Samsung’s “book-style” dominant position.
• Brand expansion: Diverse form factors launched by multiple manufacturers simultaneously.
• Mainstream validation: Apple’s entry serves as the “inflection point” for categories.

Reporters from the China Securities Journal (Zhongguo Zhengquan Bao 中国证券报) got an exclusive look at something big brewing in the supply chain: Foxconn (Fushikang 富士康) has already started trial production on Apple’s (Pingguo 苹果) foldable screen iPhone.

This isn’t just another rumor floating around tech forums.

This is the real deal—and it’s happening now.

If you’re watching the smartphone market, the foldable phone space, or have money riding on Apple’s supply chain partners, this matters.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Apple’s Foldable iPhone Is Coming in 2H 2026

Based on supply chain intelligence, Apple has already given shipment target guidelines to its suppliers.

The timeline is clear: Apple’s first foldable device is launching in the second half of 2026.

And it’s being described as a large-format foldable iPhone.

What does that mean?

Think bigger than your current iPhone screen, but folds down for portability—similar to what Samsung and other manufacturers have been doing with their “book-style” foldables.

According to industry analysts, Apple’s massive existing user base means there’s going to be serious demand for this device right out of the gate.

But here’s the catch: actual sales numbers will depend heavily on pricing.

If it costs ¥20,000+ RMB ($2,800+ USD), that’s a different conversation than if it lands at ¥12,000 RMB ($1,700 USD).

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The Foldable Smartphone Market Just Entered a New Phase

Research firm Counterpoint has a take on what Apple’s entry means for the entire foldable market:

2026 is when the foldable phone competition gets serious.

Here’s why that matters:

• Early demand for foldable iPhones will come primarily from existing iPhone users looking to upgrade.
• Some people currently eyeing Samsung’s “book-style” foldables might switch to Apple’s ecosystem instead—ecosystem migration is real.
• More brands will launch their own foldable innovations in diverse form factors.
• Consumer interest in foldables is about to spike hard.

Basically: Apple’s entry legitimizes the foldable phone category in a way that Samsung and other manufacturers couldn’t.

This is the inflection point.

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The Chinese Foldable Market Is Already Growing—Fast

Before Apple even launches, the foldable market in China is already moving:

In 2025, Chinese foldable phone shipments reached approximately 10.01 million units.

That’s a 9.2% year-on-year increase from 2024.

Not explosive growth—but steady, consistent momentum.

Here’s what IDC (a major market research firm) is predicting:

When Apple launches their foldable in 2H 2026, combined with more innovative product launches from other brands, the foldable market is expected to accelerate significantly.

Translation: after a period of moderate growth, we could be looking at a “fast-growth track” for foldable phones globally.

The market is moving from interesting niche to mainstream category.

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Apple’s Foldable Will Accelerate a New Supply Chain Cycle

Guosheng Securities (Guosheng Zhengquan 国盛证券) released research noting something important:

Apple’s foldable phone debut is expected to accelerate the popularization of foldable devices across the entire industry.

But there’s more to it than just volume growth.

The real story is in the technology iteration happening right now.

“Creaseless” foldable technology is being refined—meaning the physical crease you see on existing foldables is getting smaller, less noticeable, and more refined.

This tech advancement is driving both volume and price increases simultaneously across the supply chain.

That means:

• More foldable phones being produced (volume).
• Higher price points for those devices (price).
• Suppliers making more revenue per unit sold.
• The entire supply chain benefits from this shift.

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Which Apple Suppliers Are Positioned to Win?

If you’re looking for exposure to Apple’s foldable phone project, here are the key suppliers already working on it:

Crystal-Optech (Shuijing Guangdian 水晶光电)

Status: Known Apple supplier.

What they do: Optical components for smartphone cameras.

In November 2025, Crystal-Optech discussed their technical involvement with Apple’s foldable phone during investor meetings.

The company is currently waiting for specific product configurations from Apple before they can give detailed guidance—which makes sense, since Apple guards their specs like Fort Knox.

Once Apple’s models are officially announced, expect Crystal-Optech to confirm deeper involvement and revenue contributions.

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Lens Technology (Lansi Keji 蓝思科技)

Status: Major Apple supplier with significant foldable involvement.

What they’re supplying: This is where it gets concrete.

Lens Technology is currently supplying multiple critical components for Apple’s foldable project:

• Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) — the special glass used on foldable displays.
• PET films — protective film layers.
• Glass brackets — structural components.
• 3D glass cover plates — premium protective glass on the back and front.

During recent investor calls, Lens Technology shared some critical intel:

The new project carries high value, and Lens Technology holds leading market share in these components.

This means they’re positioned to capture significant revenue from Apple’s foldable launch.

They also confirmed that progress on the foldable screen is smooth with a release expected in the second half of 2026.

The company is already proceeding with mass production ramp-up and delivery as planned.

Translation: this isn’t a “maybe” situation—Lens Technology is already gearing up for volume production.

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Avary Holding (Pengding Konggu 鹏鼎控股)

Status: Printed circuit board (PCB) supplier for Apple.

What they do: Make the circuit boards that route power and data inside your iPhone.

In January, Avary Holding addressed how circuit board design is changing for Apple’s foldable phone.

Their official statement: since the product hasn’t been released yet, they can’t comment specifically.

But here’s what they implied—and this is important:

Foldable phones require circuit boards with higher standards.

Specifically:

• More circuit board tracks (more connections needed for foldable mechanisms).
• More complex production processes (higher manufacturing precision required).
• Better thermal management (the hinge area generates heat).

For Avary Holding, this means higher revenue per unit sold—they’re making more complex, higher-value PCBs than they would for a standard iPhone.

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Lingyi iTech (Lingyi Zhizao 领益智造)

Status: Apple supplier working on thermal management.

What they’re working on: Vapor Chamber (VC) cooling technology.

In mid-2025, Lingyi iTech announced a major breakthrough in a high-end Vapor Chamber cooling project developed in cooperation with a major North American customer (Apple, obviously).

Why does this matter?

Foldable phones have unique thermal challenges.

The hinge area generates excess heat, and the folding mechanism makes traditional heat dissipation harder.

Vapor Chambers are one of the most advanced cooling solutions available.

They’re more expensive and complex than standard heat pipes, but they’re also more efficient.

Lingyi iTech achieving a “major breakthrough” in this tech means they’re solving a critical engineering problem for Apple’s foldable—and positioning themselves for significant supply contracts.

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What This Means for Investors and Founders

Here’s the takeaway:

Apple’s foldable iPhone launch in 2H 2026 represents a major inflection point for the entire foldable market.

The companies profiting most won’t just be Apple—they’ll be the suppliers in the chain:

• Component makers like Lens Technology, Crystal-Optech, and Lingyi iTech will see revenue growth.
• Assembly manufacturers like Foxconn (already ramping trial production) will increase output.
• Material suppliers will need to scale production to meet demand.
• The broader foldable market will accelerate from steady growth to fast growth as consumer confidence in foldables increases.

If you’re investing in tech or evaluating opportunities in the smartphone supply chain, the foldable phone market just moved from “emerging opportunity” to “mainstream inflection point.”

The companies already positioned in this space—especially those with confirmed supply contracts to Apple—are set up for significant tailwinds.

And the best part?

Most of the heavy lifting is already happening.

Trial production is underway.

Supply contracts are confirmed.

Mass production is being ramped up.

This isn’t speculation—this is the foldable iPhone supply chain in motion.

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References

• Foxconn Begins Trial Production of Apple’s Folding Screen iPhone – China Securities Journal
• Official Website – Foxconn
• Global Foldable Smartphone Market Forecast – Counterpoint Research
• China Mobile Phone Market Quarterly Tracker – IDC