Author: Zhou Yuan / Wall Street News
Recently, there has been increasing news about Apple launching a foldable smartphone, with suppliers of screens, glass covers, batteries, materials, hinges, and more making appearances one after another.
For foldable smartphones, the components with the highest value proportion, besides the mobile main chip, are the hinge and the display module, which together account for about 70%.
Among them, the technology and types of components used for hinges have recently become hot in the A-share market, attracting a large number of traders, with a wealth effect comparable to the booming DeepSeek application and embodied robotics themes.
Although Apple's foldable device is set to be released in the third quarter of 2026, on March 6, Tianfeng Securities analyst Guo Mingqi once again mentioned this matter and &#34;confirmed&#34; that a company called &#34;Bolite&#34; in the A-share market would provide 3D titanium alloy printing for Apple's foldable smartphone, used for hinge bearings and middle frame NPI.
The news about Bolite supplying 3D titanium alloy for Apple's foldable smartphone hinges had already circulated in the market three weeks ago.
At the same time, Bolite is also confirmed to be the supplier of 3D titanium alloy printed hinge components for OPPO's new generation ultra-thin foldable device, Find N5.
The OPPO Find N5 was released on February 20 this year, and those interested can check Bolite's stock performance from that day until March 7.
What is 3D printing?
Also known as additive manufacturing, it is a technology that creates three-dimensional objects by stacking materials layer by layer.
Unlike traditional &#34;subtractive manufacturing&#34; (such as cutting and carving), 3D printing can directly convert digital models into physical items, offering high flexibility and customization.
The 3D printing process is divided into four stages: first is modeling, using CAD software or 3D scanning to generate a three-dimensional digital model; second is slicing, where the model is cut into thin horizontal sections as small as tens of microns.
The third step is layer-by-layer printing, where materials (such as plastics, metals, resins, etc.) are stacked according to the cross-sectional shape using nozzles, lasers, or other methods; finally, post-processing involves removing support structures, sanding, polishing, or surface treatment.
From this, it can be inferred that 3D titanium alloy printing is a manufacturing process that combines titanium alloy materials with additive manufacturing technology: by stacking titanium alloy powder layer by layer, it directly converts digital models into high-strength, lightweight three-dimensional solid parts.
Although OPPO has boosted Bolite's stock price, what truly propelled Bolite's rise in the A-share market was the market news that it would become a supplier of hinge components for Apple's foldable smartphone.
On March 8, a supply chain insider revealed to Wall Street News that the hinges for Apple's foldable device would not only use 3D titanium alloy printed components but are also experimenting with liquid metal structural parts.
As of now, Apple has not finalized its list of suppliers, and it is still in extensive contact with potential suppliers that meet its process requirements and is maintaining close communication.
Wall Street News learned from authoritative supply chain sources that in early March, Apple visited a company engaged in packaging and testing services, which may be included in its list of packaging and testing suppliers.
Of course, the visit is just the first step, and there is still a long way to go before finalizing the cooperation
On March 2nd, another supply chain source told Wall Street Insight that Yihao Metal has obtained the Apple supplier code.
The Apple supplier code is a mark that indicates a company has passed Apple's strict review (including quality, environmental protection, social responsibility, etc.), signifying its qualification to provide products or services to Apple.
However, to become a true supplier for Apple, a cooperation agreement still needs to be signed. Additionally, Apple suppliers have different levels, such as direct, indirect, or others.
Regarding Yihao Metal obtaining the Apple code, Wall Street Insight has not been able to obtain further confirmation information.
Generally speaking, Apple suppliers have confidentiality agreements, and it is unlikely that this information will be officially disclosed in the early stages.
Even for Plitec, as a supplier of Apple hinge components, there has been no official confirmation yet. However, Plitec has confirmed that it is a supplier of hinge components for the OPPO Find N5.
Although Yihao Metal has not provided more information regarding its relationship with Apple's foldable phones, the company is indeed the supplier of hinge components for the three-fold smart phone previously released by Company H.
In mid to late March, this company, which has mass-produced three-fold phones, is set to release the new generation of the small foldable Pocket 3.
This model uses the Xuanwu hinge, which incorporates Yihao Metal's zirconium-based liquid metal (i.e., zirconium-based amorphous alloy), with the finished product being the hinge main shaft. The process used is not 3D printing, but MIM.
The so-called MIM process refers to Metal Injection Molding, a manufacturing process that combines plastic injection molding technology with metal powder metallurgy, allowing for the one-time forming of complex metal parts and achieving ultra-thin and lightweight experiences.
Through &#34;injection - debinding - sintering,&#34; the MIM process enables the one-time forming of metal parts, especially suitable for scenarios requiring complex shapes, high precision, and large quantities.
Compared to 3D printing, MIM focuses more on large-scale production; compared to traditional machining, it can significantly reduce costs and material waste. If products such as mobile phone trays or precision automotive components need to be manufactured, MIM is a highly competitive choice

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