Apple Moves Closer to Its First Foldable With Advanced Glass Testing
Apple continues to refine its first foldable device as it trials a sophisticated form of ultra flexible glass intended to reduce the visible crease that affects current foldable displays. Reports from Digital Chat Station suggest the company is experimenting with variable thickness UFG that becomes thinner at the folding point for added flexibility while remaining thicker in other areas for improved durability.
Industry sources indicate that this material differs significantly from existing UTG solutions by distributing mechanical stress more evenly across the panel. This approach could minimise the crease to the point where it is nearly undetectable during everyday use. Ongoing evaluations are focused on both manufacturing optimisation and long term reliability as Apple works toward an anticipated launch in 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series.
Analysts view the current timeline as a sign that the project has reached an early production validation phase where core design decisions are mostly finalised yet high risk components continue to undergo scrutiny. The ongoing UFG trials appear to concentrate on integration methods rather than a finalised material choice. Apple is understood to maintain UTG as a fallback option should UFG fail to meet performance requirements. Growing interest from Chinese display manufacturers in similar UFG approaches points to increasing technological maturity.
Leaked specifications suggest a book style form factor featuring an external display in the 5.3 to 5.5 inch range and an internal 7.8 inch panel. The device may incorporate a liquid metal hinge designed to reduce creasing during operation. Early pricing expectations place the model between 2000 and 2500 USD potentially making it the most expensive iPhone ever produced.
