Apple’s long-rumored iPhone 18 Fold is shaping up to be one of the company’s boldest hardware ventures yet, and according to new reports, it could feature an innovative mix of aluminum and titanium to achieve the ideal balance between strength, lightness, and heat efficiency. This blend of metals marks a major step forward in Apple’s ongoing quest to redefine premium design, merging the durability of titanium with the cooling and lightweight advantages of aluminum.
Industry analyst Jeff Pu, in his latest investor notes obtained by 9to5Mac, reveals that Apple is experimenting with a hybrid frame design for the iPhone 18 Fold. 
This approach isn’t random – it’s an engineering decision rooted in years of trial and error. The company has already tested both extremes: the titanium chassis in the iPhone 15 Pro line offered outstanding strength but increased weight and cost, while the aluminum body of the iPhone 17 Pro improved heat dissipation but lacked the structural rigidity needed for complex mechanisms like a folding hinge. For its first foldable, Apple seems determined to combine the best of both materials.
Pu’s report explains that titanium will likely reinforce the folding hinge and stress points – crucial areas that undergo thousands of open-close cycles – while aluminum will compose the main chassis to reduce overall mass. This balance is essential because foldable devices face far more mechanical stress than standard smartphones. The metal hybrid frame could allow Apple to produce a foldable that feels both premium and practical, without the usual trade-offs of bulkiness or fragility.
Respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo adds further detail, suggesting that titanium and stainless steel will form the hinge mechanism itself, while lighter alloys make up the rest of the body. Kuo also believes Apple will replace Face ID with a next-generation Touch ID system embedded under the display – a move that could simplify the internal structure and reduce thickness. Reports indicate the device may sport a 5.5-inch external screen and a 7.8-inch inner display, allowing it to shift seamlessly between a compact phone mode and an expansive tablet-like workspace perfect for multitasking and entertainment.
Design-wise, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously hinted that the iPhone 18 Fold will resemble two iPhone Air models connected side by side, emphasizing sleekness and symmetry. Pu’s sources also claim the foldable has already entered Apple’s New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn – the step just before mass production. If timelines stay on track, full-scale production is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, aligning with long-standing rumors of a late 2026 launch shortly after the iPhone 18 series release in September.
Interestingly, Pu’s investor brief also notes that the iPhone 17 lineup has exceeded sales expectations, suggesting Apple is heading into 2026 with strong consumer momentum. This could position the iPhone 18 Fold as a flagship highlight for the company’s product strategy that year – not just as a new model, but as the beginning of a new category of Apple devices. The combination of durable titanium engineering, lightweight aluminum design, and exclusive foldable software features could finally allow Apple to compete head-on in the foldable market dominated by Samsung and Huawei.
If Apple succeeds, the iPhone 18 Fold could represent a defining moment for the company – the product that bridges the traditional smartphone and the future of flexible devices. More than a foldable gadget, it could symbolize Apple’s mastery in design evolution – a bold step that marries engineering brilliance with consumer practicality.
2 comments
apple entering foldable race this late is bold but maybe smart
touch id comeback? yesss finally!