The Apple logo hangs above the entrance to the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York City.
Mike Seeger | Reuters
shares of apple Shares fell 4% on Tuesday after reports the company was facing technical challenges with its long-awaited foldable iPhone.
“Apple and the supply chain are working under a tight schedule, and current solutions are not sufficient to fully resolve the engineering challenges. …More time is needed,” a person familiar with the situation told Nikkei Asia.
Apple, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last week, has announced four new iPhone models at its annual September launch event since 2020. The foldable phone was expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 in September 2026, but the delay could change that schedule.
CNBC has reached out to Apple for comment.
According to the Nikkei Shimbun, April and early May are seen as a critical period for iPhone makers to resolve engineering issues ahead of production.
samsungApple’s biggest rival in the US smartphone market launched its first foldable phone in 2019. The iPhone is a key money earner for Apple, driving more than half of the company’s $143.8 billion in revenue reported in the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
The Nikkei Shimbun reported that the tight supply of memory chips has made it difficult to meet growing demand for iPhones, but has not affected delays in foldable phones.
Apple’s stock price since the beginning of the year.
