Apple to Craft Key Foldable iPhone Components From Liquid Metal [Kuo]

Apple may use liquid metal to create essential components, such as hinges, for its anticipated foldable iPhone, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities. The premium device will allegedly debut with a titanium alloy design and a price range expected between $2,000 and $2,500.

Kuo suggests the company would use a die-casting process to produce hinges, aiming to boost durability, enhance screen flatness, and minimize crease marks on a projected 7.8-inch inner display. While Apple has used liquid metal for minor parts like SIM ejector pins in the past, Kuo predicts its application in hinges would mark a substantial shift to mechanically critical components. Dongguan EonTec is poised to benefit significantly if it becomes Apple's exclusive supplier of liquid metal. By late 2024, EonTec had reportedly shipped over 10 million central shafts—hinge elements made from this material—hinting at its readiness for such a role.

The foldable iPhone is envisioned as a book-style device with a 5.5-inch outer screen, potentially measuring 9–9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5–4.8mm unfolded. Its outer casing is expected to feature titanium alloy, with the hinge blending stainless steel and titanium for durability and flexibility. Kuo estimates the average selling price of liquid metal per unit could range from 70–100 RMB. Should the first-generation model move forward, EonTec might see revenue of 1.5–2 billion RMB, a potential 100–200% increase from that order alone. With mass production speculated to start in Q4 2026 and initial shipments projected at 3–5 million units, the numbers could grow further if a second-generation device pushes totals to 20 million units by 2027.


Kuo also predicts broader market impacts. As Android manufacturers gear up to challenge Apple's foldable offering, they might adopt liquid metal hinges too, spurring rapid growth in demand. EonTec, already shipping millions of components in 2024, could see its position strengthen if competitors follow suit. The material's strength and lightweight nature make it a compelling choice for the complex mechanics of foldable designs.

If these predictions hold, production would fall to Dongguan Yihao Metal, a subsidiary where EonTec holds a 60% stake. This unit is expected to handle manufacturing and shipping of liquid metal components. With the foldable iPhone's specifications potentially finalizing in Q2 2025 and a project launch eyed for Q3, the liquid metal business could be on the cusp of significant expansion. Industry surveys cited by Kuo suggest EonTec might increase its stake in Yihao Metal over time to secure more of the subsidiary's projected profits.

Other predictions for Apple's foldable iPhone include a dual-lens rear camera and a single front-facing camera usable in both folded and unfolded states, with Touch ID possibly returning in the side button due to space constraints that might rule out Face ID. High-density battery cells, similar to those expected in the ultra-thin iPhone 17, could power it. Kuo's earlier notes also point to Bright Laser Technologies potentially supplying titanium hinge covers and middle frames via advanced 3D printing, suggesting a blend of cutting-edge materials and techniques in this foldable design.

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