Apple’s foldable iPhone to feature Liquidmetal hinges – Ming-Chi Kuo
Foldable iPhone concept (Image: EverythingApplePro)
In January 2022, Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc., the foremost supplier of applications for zirconium-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs), entered into a manufacturing supply agreement with Dongguan Yihao Metal Technology Co., Ltd., the world’s largest manufacturer of BMG products.
Apple has a perpetual, worldwide, fully-paid, exclusive license to commercialize Liquidmetal intellectual property in the field of consumer electronic products.
“While Liquidmetal has already been working with Yihao as its contract manufacturer over the years, this supply agreement now solidifies our long-term relationship. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have the right partners in place to bring about new technology into the forefront of success, and our partnership with Yihao completes our evolution of advancing the technology and bringing Liquidmetal applications and services to the global supply chain like no other,” said Tony Chung, Liquidmetal CEO, in a statement at the time
“Our manufacturing capabilities coupled with Liquidmetal’s brand, knowledge and expertise in the amorphous alloy space creates a powerful, integrated vertical supply chain that can’t be matched. We are committed to the vision of bringing Liquidmetal technology to the masses and look forward to a long and prosperous business relationship,” said Dongguan Yihao Metal CEO Peter Ga in a statement at the time
Dongguan EonTec is poised to benefit significantly from the widespread adoption of liquid metal in the hinges of the upcoming foldable iPhone. According to recent industry research, Apple is focused on improving durability, enhancing screen flatness, and minimizing crease marks in its foldable iPhone design. To achieve these goals, key components like the hinges will be crafted from liquid metal using a die-casting process. As the exclusive supplier of liquid metal, EonTec is expected to be the primary beneficiary of this shift.
Apple has been using liquid metal for small components for years (such as SIM ejector pins), but the foldable iPhone will mark its first major use of the material in a critical mechanical part. By the end of 2024, EonTec has shipped over 10 million central shafts, key hinge components made from liquid metal. As Android smartphone brands gear up to compete with the upcoming foldable iPhone, they are expected to increasingly adopt liquid metal for their hinges, driving rapid growth in the liquid metal market.
The ASP of liquid metal per foldable iPhone is estimated at RMB 70–100. Based solely on the first-generation foldable iPhone, EonTec could see revenue of RMB 1.5–2 billion—a potential 100–200% increase driven by this single order. As more competitors in the foldable phone market turn to liquid metal, EonTec’s growth could accelerate even further.
Dongguan Yihao Metal, a subsidiary in which EonTec holds a 60% stake, handles the production and shipment of liquid metal components. With the liquid metal business poised for strong growth, industry surveys indicate that EonTec may seek to increase its ownership in Yihao Metal over time to fully capture the subsidiary’s profits.
Kuo expects final specs for Apple’s first foldable iPhone “will be locked in 2Q25, with the official project kickoff in 3Q25 and mass production slated for 4Q26.”
“The first-generation foldable iPhone is expected to retail above $2,000 and $2,500,” Kuo predicts. “The second-generation foldable iPhone is expected to begin mass production in 2H27.”
MacDailyNews Take: LQMT is currently up 14.43% on the news.
Liquidmetal was discovered by researchers at the California Institute of Technology. Liquidmetal® Technologies is the leading developer of bulk alloys that utilize the performance advantages offered by amorphous alloy technology. Amorphous alloys are unique materials that are distinguished by their ability to retain a random structure when they solidify, in contrast to the crystalline atomic structure that forms in ordinary metals and alloys. Liquidmetal® alloys are harder than alloys of titanium or aluminum of similar composition. The zirconium and titanium based Liquidmetal® alloys achieved yield strength of over 1723 MPa, nearly twice the strength of conventional crystalline titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V is ~830 MPa), and about the strength of high-strength steels and some highly engineered bulk composite materials.
Liquidmetal® combines a number of desirable material features, including high tensile strength, excellent corrosion resistance, very high coefficient of restitution and excellent anti-wearing characteristics, while also being able to be heat-formed in processes similar to thermoplastics.
Liquidmetal® Technologies has developed highly specialized alloys and a manufacturing process that allows cosmetic (down to 2 Ra, μin), high-strength (231 ksi), precision parts to be injection molded in a single manufacturing step. Liquidmetal alloys provide an economic advantage for parts with cosmetic surfaces, complex shapes with close tolerances, or forged titanium-grade strength.
Liquidmetal® Technologies controls the intellectual property rights with more than 70 U.S. patents.
Check out this video (especially the ball bearing test starting at 1:42):
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