Foxconn is currently in trial production of Apple's foldable screen phone. Quick overview of concept stocks.

April 6, Chinese Securities Journal reporters exclusively learned from industry chain insiders that Foxconn has already started trial production of an Apple foldable-screen iPhone.

The reporters previously learned from supply-chain companies that Apple’s shipment target guidance provided to suppliers is for the first foldable-screen phone to launch in the second half of 2026—a large-fold iPhone.

An industry chain insider analyzed that the iPhone has a massive user base, and Apple’s foldable-screen iPhone is expected to have strong market demand, but sales will depend on the final pricing.

Research firm Counterpoint believes that as Apple prepares to launch its first foldable-screen iPhone, the foldable-screen phone market will enter a new competitive phase in 2026. Given the foldable screen’s high-end positioning, early demand for Apple’s foldable-screen iPhone is expected to come mainly from existing iPhone users. Some users who are considering a book-style foldable screen may also view the device Apple is about to launch as a replacement option, thereby increasing the likelihood of migrating to Apple’s ecosystem.

Data released by research firm IDC shows that in 2025, the shipment volume of China’s foldable-screen smartphone market was about 10.01 million units, up 9.2% year over year. Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, Apple is expected to enter the foldable-screen smartphone field. More brands are expected to roll out innovative products with diversified form factors, and market attention as well as consumer appeal are expected to rise again. In the future, the foldable-screen smartphone market may return to a track of rapid growth.

A Guosen Securities research report stated that Apple’s first foldable-screen phone is about to be released. It is expected to accelerate the adoption of foldable-screen phones. In addition, without the iterative upgrade of anti-crease technology driving volume and price up together, it will inject additional incremental supply-chain demand.

Crystal Optoelectronics is an Apple supplier. In November 2025, when discussing the technology and product layout for foldable-screen phones for major North American customers, Crystal Optoelectronics told investors during an institutional research visit that, at present, the company’s products supporting smartphones mainly use various optical components for phone cameras, so it mainly depends on the configurations of the large customer’s models, and the specifics shall be subject to information released by the customer.

Recently, during an institutional research visit, Apple supplier Lens Technology stated that in this year’s foldable phone projects for major customers, the company supplies UTG glass, PET film, glass supports, 3D glass cover plates, and other items. The value of the new projects is high, and the company has a leading share. The company will significantly benefit. Currently, progress on foldable screens is going smoothly, and the company expects to release products in the second half of the year. The company is ramping production and delivery in accordance with the plan.

Pengdinkong Holdings is an Apple smartphone printed circuit board supplier. When discussing changes in circuit board part numbers for foldable-screen phones for major customers, Pengdinkong Holdings said in January during an institutional research visit that the customer’s product has not yet been launched, so it is not convenient to provide an evaluation. Judging from the requirements for the new product, in theory, it will impose higher requirements on the number of part numbers as well as the production processes of certain part numbers.

In mid-2025, Apple supplier Lianhe Zhizao mentioned foldable-screen terminals and stated that in the high-end VC heat dissipation project carried out in cooperation with a major North American customer, it achieved an important breakthrough.

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