Foldable Phones Ship Over a Million Units, Honor's New Magic Vs3 Continues Using 3D-Printed Titanium Alloy Hinge

However, in the Magic V3 phone, the foldable screen hinge has been replaced with another material, adopting the second-generation Honor(荣耀) shielded steel with a strength of 2100 MPa. The production method used was not mentioned during the event.

In fact, on July 12 of last year, Honor(荣耀)’s foldable phone Magic V2 first successfully applied 3D-printed titanium alloy parts, specifically a key component in the foldable screen—the roller. According to an Honor(荣耀) spokesperson, the Magic V2 roller employed "cross-industry aerospace technology, marking the first use of 3D-printed titanium in the industry. The material strength increased by 150%, and the printing temperature reached 3500°C." At the time, this information garnered significant attention within the 3D printing industry, with many curious about who was behind the 3D printing of these components for Honor(荣耀) and the market potential of 3D printing in the 3C (Computer, Communication, and Consumer Electronics) field.

The newly launched Honor(荣耀) Magic Vs3 continues to use the titanium alloy 3D-printed hinge, demonstrating the formidable capabilities of additive manufacturing (3D printing) in mass production and reliability. The mature application of this technology not only enhances product quality and stability but also lays a foundation for the mass production and market proliferation of foldable phones.

The Rapid Growth of the Foldable Phone Market Brings Immense Potential for 3D Printing

According to data released by market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), the Chinese foldable phone market shipped approximately 7.007 million units in 2023, representing a year-on-year growth of 114.5%. Since the first product was launched in 2019, the Chinese foldable phone market has seen year-on-year growth rates exceeding 100% for four consecutive years.

Honor(荣耀) ranked third in the 2023 full-year foldable phone market, with a share of 17.7% and shipments of approximately 1.24 million units, representing an astonishing year-on-year growth of 467.0%, the fastest in the industry. This surge has led to the production demand for millions of 3D-printed titanium alloy hinge rollers, marking this demand as a case of large-scale production within the 3D printing industry. Previously, companies like BLT(铂力特), Farsoon(华曙高科), and HBD(汉邦科技) have all disclosed their involvement in producing components related to the 3C sector.

The report titled "3D Printing Technology Revolutionizes the 3C Industry: A Detailed Cost Analysis and Market Outlook" released by Great Wall Machinery delves into the costs and market potential of 3D printing in the 3C domain.

The superior performance of titanium alloy materials has made them a new choice for 3C consumer electronics end-use materials. Titanium alloys possess advantages such as high strength, excellent thermal strength, good corrosion resistance, favorable low-temperature performance, high chemical reactivity, low thermal conductivity, and a small elastic modulus. Currently, many 3C companies are beginning to use titanium alloy materials and exploring the production of titanium alloy components via 3D printing. Honor(荣耀), Apple, Xiaomi, and other phone manufacturers have all started using titanium alloy components.

In the report's cost breakdown, the production cost of Honor(荣耀)’s phone hinge cover was estimated: assuming a 3D printing yield and powder utilization rate of 90%, with the powder priced at 0.6 CNY per gram, and four laser equipment costing 2.5 million CNY, the total cost of 3D printing a single hinge cover was calculated at 95.14 CNY.

For the Apple Watch case: assuming a 3D printing yield of 90% and a powder utilization rate of 75%, with the powder priced at 0.6 CNY per gram, and eight laser equipment costing 7.5 million CNY, the total cost of 3D printing a single watch case was calculated at 130.58 CNY. From a cost perspective, it has already become competitive compared to the original non-3D-printed case.

For the iPhone middle frame: assuming a 3D printing yield of 70% and a powder utilization rate of 75%, with the powder priced at 0.6 CNY per gram, and eight laser equipment costing 7.5 million CNY, the total cost of 3D printing a single middle frame was calculated at 369.25 CNY. However, if the initial yield is assumed to be only 20%, the corresponding production cost would be 828.87 CNY.

Market Projection: A Period of Rapid Penetration Expected from 2024 Onwards, with Significant Growth Continuing into 2026. Based on future 3C industry demand and the penetration of titanium alloys in the 3C industry, we anticipate that the market for titanium alloy 3D printing equipment in the 3C sector will reach 1.461 billion CNY, 4.292 billion CNY, and 7.248 billion CNY respectively in 2024, 2025, and 2026, nearly fivefold growth over three years. The market for rough products is expected to reach 1.145 billion CNY, 5.432 billion CNY, and 9.485 billion CNY respectively in 2024, 2025, and 2026, an eightfold growth over three years. And by 2026, the penetration rate of iPhones will only be 14%, indicating that the market potential remains vast.

According to panda3dp.com's understanding, some titanium alloy powder manufacturers have recently lowered their prices to around 0.4 CNY per gram, which will further reduce the cost of titanium alloy 3C components, making them more acceptable to phone manufacturers. Currently, the Honor(荣耀) Magic Vs3 is already available for pre-order on e-commerce platforms, with a starting price of 6,999 CNY, while the Magic V3 starts at 8,999 CNY.

Conclusion

Consumer electronics giants such as Apple and Honor(荣耀) are leading the industry in technological innovation and development. Their adoption of titanium alloy 3D printing technology is also likely to prompt other smartphone or tech companies to follow suit. In June of this year, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo pointed out that Apple Watch will begin using components produced by 3D printing technology starting in the second half of this year. Although there was no mass production last year, after more than a year of intensive testing, the production efficiency of 3D printing has significantly improved. The supplier of these 3D-printed components is BLT(铂力特). Unlike last year when BLT(铂力特) was a device supplier, this year they are a component manufacturer. Given the cost advantages of 3D printing, Ming-Chi Kuo expects BLT's shipments of 3D-printed components to continue growing in the coming years, with the possibility of even producing the Apple Watch case.

As titanium alloy 3D printing technology continues to develop and mature, the overall industry chain will gradually expand. Occupying a new market share in the consumer electronics industry may only be a matter of time. Additionally, the widespread adoption of titanium alloy 3D printing technology in the 3C industry will also drive innovation and popularization of key electronic materials, improve manufacturing efficiency, optimize supply chains, and further stimulate the joint innovation effects of the industrial chain. It could also potentially change the landscape of the metal 3D printing field, depending on which equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, and service providers can seize this opportunity.