Apple is making rapid progress on its first foldable iPhone, the rumored iPhone Ultra, with a key component now confirmed: a liquid metal hinge. According to leaker Fixed Focus Digital, prototype units have already shipped to carriers worldwide for network testing, suggesting mass production could begin in July ahead of a September 2026 launch. Liquid metal, an amorphous alloy with superior strength-to-weight ratio and durability, has been used by Apple only in minor parts like the SIM ejector tool; this would be its first structural application.
A Hinge Built to Last
The liquid metal hinge addresses a core engineering challenge: surviving hundreds of thousands of open-and-close cycles. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first reported the material choice in March 2025, with Dongguan EonTec as exclusive supplier. After conflicting reports, Fixed Focus Digital now states the hinge design has passed validation. The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover display, the A20 chip, C2 modem, Touch ID, and dual rear cameras, with a starting price around $2,000.
Apple Watch 2027: Next-Generation OLED Backplane
In parallel, Apple is evaluating a new OLED backplane technology for the 2027 Apple Watch. The Elec reports that LG Display is developing high-mobility oxide (HMO) thin-film transistors, aiming for electron mobility of 30-50 cm²/Vs compared to under 10 cm²/Vs in current displays. This would significantly improve power efficiency, enhancing battery life without compromising always-on features. Samsung Display is pursuing a different path using atomic layer deposition (ALD). As with previous display innovations, the Apple Watch may serve as a testbed before the technology scales to the iPhone.
Dell Strikes Back with $699 XPS 13
Meanwhile, Dell has launched a new $699 XPS 13 laptop, directly targeting Apple's MacBook Neo. Dell touts six features missing from the MacBook Neo: touch screen, backlit keyboard, faster second USB-C port, Wi-Fi 7, Windows Hello facial recognition, and four speakers. Additionally, the XPS 13 offers a 120Hz display with DCI-P3 color gamut versus the Neo's 60Hz sRGB panel, and weighs just 2.2 pounds, half a pound less. Dell's aggressive move underscores how Apple's entry into the affordable premium segment is driving competition and pricing pressure across the laptop market.
Sponsored Protocol
