Apple iPhone Fold could be more affordable than expected as hinge costs drop to around $70–80
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the average selling price (ASP) of the Apple iPhone Fold (or foldable iPhone) hinge is expected to range between US$70 and US$80, about 20% to 35% lower than earlier market forecasts of US$100 to US$120. The reduced hinge cost gives Apple greater flexibility to manage production margins and could make the upcoming Apple iPhone Fold more competitively priced once mass production begins.
According to Kuo, Foxconn (Hon Hai) and Shin Zu Shing (SZS) have formed a joint venture (JV) to produce the hinge, securing around 65% of Apple’s total hinge orders, while Amphenol accounts for the remaining 35%. Foxconn is said to hold a slightly larger stake in the JV and lead its strategic direction, marking one of the first confirmed reports that Foxconn is directly involved in hinge manufacturing rather than just final device assembly.
This marks one of the first confirmed reports that Foxconn is directly manufacturing the foldable hinge, not only assembling finished devices. Earlier leaks suggested that Apple had asked Foxconn to build prototype foldable shells, but this report provides the first clear evidence of its involvement in hinge production.
Kuo adds that the hinge cost decline is mainly the result of design optimisation and Foxconn’s large-scale manufacturing efficiency, rather than cheaper raw materials. The analyst also expects Luxshare-ICT to become an additional hinge supplier after 2027, increasing competition within Apple’s supply chain.
The report outlines several internal challenges. Amphenol’s smaller share may be a cautious business decision, as the company focuses more on other high-growth areas such as AI hardware. Meanwhile, SZS’s profits may remain limited, since Foxconn leads the JV and takes a larger portion of the earnings. SZS also receives fewer upstream component orders, reducing its potential gains.
Because the hinge ASP is lower than expected, component suppliers could face tighter profit margins than analysts initially predicted. Overall, the new data paints a clearer picture of the Apple iPhone Fold supply chain — a setup where Apple benefits most from reduced production costs, while partners like SZS and Amphenol experience narrower profitability.
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