A new leak suggests that the hinge of the iPhone Fold will use "chip-level polymer printing 3D technology" and the iPhone 18 upgrades will be limited to color changes.
With Apple's first foldable expected to debut in late 2026, we're now seeing more and more claims about its hardware. Following multiple rumors suggesting Liquid Metal would be used for the hinge of the iPhone Fold, another tipster has provided a new tidbit about the component.
To be more specific, a translated post from leaker Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo said that Apple is putting considerable effort into its foldable iPhone. This reportedly "involves chip-level high-molecular 3D printing technology, with further developments in the hinge design still to be revealed."
While the claims might seem unusual at first glance, Apple has already used 3D printing for specific iPhone components.
Apple already uses 3D printing for Apple Watch cases and iPhone Air parts
The iPhone Air, for instance, features a USB-C port made with 3D printing using titanium. Titanium Apple Watch cases are also made using the same technology, something the company itself highlighted.
Apple already uses 3D printing for the Apple Watch.
"We knew 3D-printing was a technology with so much potential for material efficiency, which is critical for getting to Apple 2030," said Apple's vice president of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation in March 2026.
Apple is even rumored to be expanding its use of 3D printing, with an apparent goal of making iPhone casings using the technology.
While the company will need to overcome challenges with aluminum as the case material, it would make sense for Apple to 3D print the iPhone Fold's allegedly titanium-alloy-based hinge.
The 3D-printed titanium USB-C port of the iPhone Air doesn't appear to be prone to failure, as there have been no Apple-issued recalls or repair programs. It looks as though Apple is confident enough to use 3D printing for other iPhone components.
Fixed Focus Digital has also suggested that the codename of the iPhone Fold will start with the letter M, contradicting the previously rumored V68 device identifier.
iPhone 18 won't offer much beyond new colors
Meanwhile, commenting on the iPhone 18 range, they reiterated that its design will echo that of the preceding iPhone 17 lineup. Apple reportedly won't give the iPhone 18 line ultra-thin bezels, instead "focusing mainly on updated color options."
Apple is allegedly working on a dark red color for the iPhone 18 Pro, while purple and a coffee-type color were tested as well.
While the tipster provided no details of these alleged iPhone 18 color options, a different leaker suggested in March 2026 that the iPhone 18 Pro would not be offered in black.
Separately, a February 2026 rumor claimed the iPhone 18 Pro would be available in a new deep red color. Apple is also said to have tested a purple color option as well as a coffee-type color, per a November 2025 rumor.
Still, Fixed Focus Digital has a mixed track record. While they did get the iPhone 16e name right, they also mistakenly believed that the model would fail.
Similarly, they accurately revealed that the standard iPhone 17 would get a 120Hz display refresh, but believed the device would not support ProMotion.
Even so, their claims about the iPhone Fold and the iPhone 18 range seem plausible, as they largely align with prior rumors. As we've said, Apple already uses 3D printing for select titanium components. This ultimately earns Thursday's leak a possible rating.
Ultimately, it looks as though the iPhone Fold will be the star of the show in 2026, given that the iPhone 18 Pro won't offer much beyond standard performance improvements.
