Apple's Foldable iPhone Rumored to Be Built With Liquid Metal and Improved Titanium - MacRumors

Apple is reportedly preparing its first foldable iPhone with a liquid metal hinge and a lighter, stronger titanium frame, aiming to boost durability while keeping weight down. The claims come via Korean Naver leaker "yeux1122," citing a materials industry source.

What’s rumored

• Hinge: Liquid metal (amorphous alloy) for high strength, resistance to bending, and excellent fatigue performance—key for long-lasting foldable hinges.
• Frame: An improved titanium alloy and revised manufacturing process to increase strength-to-weight, trimming mass without reducing surface area. This would be Apple’s fourth-generation titanium iPhone approach.

Why it matters

• Foldables demand an exceptionally durable hinge and careful weight distribution around the fold. Pairing a liquid metal hinge with refined titanium could address both durability and portability.

Apple and Liquidmetal: a long history

• In 2010, Apple secured an exclusive license for Liquidmetal tech in consumer electronics.
• The material appeared in small parts like the SIM eject tool but proved difficult to scale for structural components.
• Apple has continued exploring it through patents and internal R&D, especially for hinges and moving parts in foldable devices.

Expected timing and specs (rumored)

• Launch window: Fall this year, alongside iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
• Design: Book-style foldable.
• Displays: 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch outer display with a claimed crease-free design.
• Silicon: A20 chip with Apple’s C2 modem.
• Cameras: Two rear cameras.
• Biometrics: Touch ID.

As with all pre-launch reports, details may change ahead of Apple’s official unveiling.

Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/14/foldable-iphone-to-be-built-with-liquid-metal/