The hinge – one of the most important components of Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone – may cost less to produce than initially expected.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the average selling price of the hinge is estimated to be around US$70 to US$80, significantly lower than earlier projections of US$100 to US$120. Kuo attributes the cost reduction to “assembly design optimisation” and a joint venture between Foxconn and Taiwanese company Shin Zhu Shing.
Since the hinge is a major contributor to the high cost of foldable phones, this drop in manufacturing expense could enable Apple to price its foldable iPhone more competitively against rivals like Samsung, OPPO, and Huawei.
