Apple's first foldable iPhone is heading for a nervous autumn: launch in October, but assembly is a struggle. A source close to the Foxconn supply chain told the Chinese publication Jiemian News that as of 17 September, the final assembly yield had barely passed 60%.
Putting this into plain terms: out of every ten assembled devices, almost four are rejected. For a premium device where the main component is the hinge and flexible screen, this level means the line has not yet found a stable rhythm.
According to the same source, under Apple's current quality requirements, it will take from six months to a year to reach mature yield. Therefore, early batches will be small, and a shortage at launch is almost inevitable.
So there is little point in rushing to buy on the first day. And if a foldable is already in your pocket, we have seen all sorts of hinges and loops. 🙂