We have recently covered a report that claims that Apple's foldable iPhone will use a liquid metal hinge to enhance its durability and aid in minimizing the crease on the screen. A new leak has shared more details on the characteristics of the hinge material and what benefits it will provide. Basically, today's news corroborates prior reports, and it only goes to show how serious Apple is about the durability of its first foldable.
The iPhone Fold will feature a metallic glass hinge for better durability, delivering a glossy look instead of a matte finish
In a new post, a Weibo-based leaker who goes by the name of Instant Digital claims that Apple has selected metallic glass or amorphous metal for the iPhone Fold's hinge. If you are not familiar with it, metallic glass and liquid metal are the same thing; the only difference is that the latter is a marketing term. Metallic glass houses a randomized arrangement of atoms, unlike traditional metals with repeating crystalline atomic structures. The liquid metal poses various benefits, which the iPhone Fold can use to increase its durability.
For instance, metallic glass can better resist pressure and bending, which would allow it to stick to its devised design and state. Furthermore, it will also resist dents and deformation, which is a major plus if the device is dropped. In comparison, metallic glass will be 2.5 times more durable than titanium alloy as it is manufactured using rapid cooling techniques. In terms of looks, the metallic glass is more glossy and smooth, which resembles the likes of stainless steel, similar to the frame of the iPhone 14 Pro models.
Mechanical parts are always prone to breaking and malfunctioning, and the company appears to be well aware of it. Other than this, metallic glass is also resistant to corrosion, which ensures the longevity of the hinge mechanism in different environmental conditions. For a foldable device, the hinge is the most crucial aspect as it will not only keep two parts of the device conjoined together but also aid in the display quality with respect to the crease. The sturdier it is, the more it can withstand the pressure that is exerted on the display.
Apple is familiar with metallic glass, as it is the same material used to manufacture SIM ejector pins. However, the hinge on the iPhone Fold will be the first major part to utilize the material, and Dongguan EonTec will exclusively supply the metallic glass.
The iPhone Fold is expected to feature a 7.8-inch internal display, and it will resemble the Galaxy Z Fold and Pixel Fold instead of the Galaxy Z Flip lineup. Moreover, it was also recently reported by Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman that Apple's foldable iPhone will be priced around $2,000, which would make it the most expensive iPhone to date. In our view, software plays a major role in the success of the iPhone Fold, and how the company implements it remains to be seen.
