Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

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

Finally! I've been waiting for the next use of Liquid Metal, after this breakthrough product! 😁

1768410707746.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: JaydenA
The Game 161 said:
millions buy foldables every year and those people will tell you they work very well actually.

you can do so much more than current slab phones. unless of course you are using chinese slabs where cameras are so good. iphones on other hand i'm not expecting much different camera quailty wise.

why do foldables need to solve a problem? if you want a basic slab phone then get that. want to do more on your device? you get a foldable. thats why choice exists.

apple's choice for the ratio makes perfect sense. you can use the outer display with no issues on screen viewing while opening makes it feel like an ipad. best of both worlds. apple has been waiting and planning for this device for years. this isn't a quick decision they made.
Click to expand...
Apple hasn't made great decisions lately... The same iPhone look for 6 years... nothing really exciting and no real innovation. This is a good move but I think they are late to the game, as always.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: Saturn007, Matt713, SFjohn and 1 other person
Ferrandix said:
I’m really sorry, but this is not going to work. Anyone who has ever held a foldable phone in their hands knows why. No matter how much they may have improved it. The existence of a foldable phone does not solve any real, existing problem. And under that premise, no product can succeed.

It doesn’t feel satisfying to use a screen that bends, and with the current screen sizes of modern smartphones, a larger display isn’t even necessary—for what exactly? Watching a movie?

I can understand Samsung or another brand considering it—but Apple?
Apple is known for doing extensive filtering before releasing a product, making sure it actually solves a real problem. This is yet another sign that the Apple we once knew no longer exists.
Click to expand...

I just want a bigger screen to consume media without carrying two devices, it's really not that deep
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dunbird, SteveJUAE, BigBlur and 3 others
rotvaldi said:
‘Improved titanium’ is this a new thing after the useless aluminium
Click to expand...
I must say that after 4 months with my 17 Pro Max Cosmic Orange and using it without a case, I haven't seen any real scratches or dents on it. And it doesn't get hot like my 16 Pro max did. I have never seen the screen turn black either. The Aluminum and the vapor chamber work well...
I just wish for a smaller back screen on the useless bump, like the Chinese knockoff which is in fact better...
 
Huh...where have I heard this before?

5-21-2025, Tim Hardwick
Kuo: Foldable iPhone to Feature Liquid Metal Hinges for Better Durability (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/21/apple-liquid-metal-foldable-iphone-hinges/)

10-8-2025, Juli Clover
Apple's 2026 Foldable iPhone Rumored to Use Titanium and Aluminum Frame (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/08/foldable-iphone-titanium-aluminum-frame/)

12-18-2025, Tim Hardwick
iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable (https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/18/iphone-fold-foldable-launch-pricing-what-to-expect/)

Today's article:
1-14-2026, Hartley Charlton
Apple's Foldable iPhone Rumored to Be Built With Liquid Metal and Improved Titanium (https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/14/foldable-iphone-to-be-built-with-liquid-metal/)

It's the same rumor repeated again and again and again. 🤣
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jml12286, sos47, MasterControlProgram and 1 other person
A more light weight titanium frame is a frame with more aluminum in it. So maybe 49% aluminum & 51% titanium… now I’m not worried about that in any way, my iPhone 17 Pro Max w/ its aluminum body has been superb exceeding all my expectations. & I don’t plan on buying a foldable phone ever. I’ll likely wait another 4 years before buying a new iPhone, my last one was an iPhone 13 Pro Max. 👍🏻
 
Ferrandix said:
I’m really sorry, but this is not going to work. Anyone who has ever held a foldable phone in their hands knows why. No matter how much they may have improved it. The existence of a foldable phone does not solve any real, existing problem. And under that premise, no product can succeed.

It doesn’t feel satisfying to use a screen that bends, and with the current screen sizes of modern smartphones, a larger display isn’t even necessary—for what exactly? Watching a movie?

I can understand Samsung or another brand considering it—but Apple?
Apple is known for doing extensive filtering before releasing a product, making sure it actually solves a real problem. This is yet another sign that the Apple we once knew no longer exists.
Click to expand...
I’ve been saying and thinking the same thing. You said it very well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SFjohn
PBG4 Dude said:
If I could hook a Selectric to my desktop, that would be my goto keyboard.
Click to expand...
You theoretically could do exactly that with a Selectric I/O machine & a few custom parts that are out there but it would be very expensive & technically challenging. You’d likely be better off with a modern custom made keyboard & there are a few companies making keyboards for that niche market. 🤷
 
The Game 161 said:
millions buy foldables every year and those people will tell you they work very well actually.

you can do so much more than current slab phones. unless of course you are using chinese slabs where cameras are so good. iphones on other hand i'm not expecting much different camera quailty wise.

why do foldables need to solve a problem? if you want a basic slab phone then get that. want to do more on your device? you get a foldable. thats why choice exists.

apple's choice for the ratio makes perfect sense. you can use the outer display with no issues on screen viewing while opening makes it feel like an ipad. best of both worlds. apple has been waiting and planning for this device for years. this isn't a quick decision they made.
Click to expand...
“Why do foldable need to solve a problem”
?”

To explain the logic, rationale, psychology behind such a “strategy” by the company that once said :

"I’m as proud of many of the things we haven’t done as the things we have done.”​

I suspect many thoughtful people appreciated this restraint. A foldable iPhone is spiritually not an Apple product. It’s a bean counters’ muse.​


Foldable screens don’t solve problems and the economic don’t work (right now).
 
  • Love
Reactions: SFjohn
PBG4 Dude said:
If I could hook a Selectric to my desktop, that would be my goto keyboard.
Click to expand...
You theoretically could do exactly that with a Selectric I/O machine & a few custom parts that are out there but it would be very expensive & technically challenging. You’d likely be better off with a modern custom made keyboard & there are a few companies making keyboards for that niche market. 🤷
 
I'm surprised they didn't make it with Liquid Glass since Liquid Glass is the solution to everything. 😉

Actually, combine Liquid Metal with Siri and you could have a really demented, and potentially super dangerous T-1000 terminator.

Fate is what we make.

02784619-5c14-4e20-9475-1cf1558a5d3b.png
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Lioness~
Ferrandix said:
I’m really sorry, but this is not going to work. Anyone who has ever held a foldable phone in their hands knows why. No matter how much they may have improved it. The existence of a foldable phone does not solve any real, existing problem. And under that premise, no product can succeed.

It doesn’t feel satisfying to use a screen that bends, and with the current screen sizes of modern smartphones, a larger display isn’t even necessary—for what exactly? Watching a movie?

I can understand Samsung or another brand considering it—but Apple?
Apple is known for doing extensive filtering before releasing a product, making sure it actually solves a real problem. This is yet another sign that the Apple we once knew no longer exists.
Click to expand...
Like the AVP? Lol. Lmao, even.
 
Ferrandix said:
I’m really sorry, but this is not going to work. Anyone who has ever held a foldable phone in their hands knows why. No matter how much they may have improved it. The existence of a foldable phone does not solve any real, existing problem. And under that premise, no product can succeed.

It doesn’t feel satisfying to use a screen that bends, and with the current screen sizes of modern smartphones, a larger display isn’t even necessary—for what exactly? Watching a movie?

I can understand Samsung or another brand considering it—but Apple?
Apple is known for doing extensive filtering before releasing a product, making sure it actually solves a real problem. This is yet another sign that the Apple we once knew no longer exists.
Click to expand...
Why must this type of comment keep happening. Just because YOU don’t see a need, doesn’t mean there is none. If you don’t want one, fine. Buy the usual slab and be happy about it!

I enjoy the pocketability of an iPhone mini, and love the utility of a larger screen. This could provide both. Basically an iPad mini (or close to an iPhone Max) that folds in half and fits in my pocket. Sounds wonderful to me!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Unregistered 4U and The Game 161
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back