Sourcing Guides
How to Source Foldable Phone Cases from China: A Buyer's Checklist
A practical sourcing checklist for foldable phone cases: what to ask a supplier, which samples to request, how MOQ and mould cost work, and the quality checks that prevent returns.
Start with the hinge, not the color
Most sourcing conversations start with color and price. For foldables, start with the hinge. Ask the supplier whether they cut their own mould for this specific model or use a generic shrink-fit. A generic fit will lift at the hinge and creak within weeks, and that is what comes back as a return. The color can be changed on the next order; the mould cannot.
Questions to ask before you request a quote
Does the supplier run their own mould shop and injection workshop, or do they buy finished goods? What is the MOQ per model and per color? How long is sampling, and is the sample cost refundable against the first bulk order? What is bulk lead time after payment? Which shipping methods do they actually use? A supplier who answers all five in one message is a different kind of supplier from one who answers only the price.
Order samples and test them properly
Open and close the phone at least fifty times with the case on. Listen for creaking. Check that both halves stay seated and the fold still opens flat. Put a MagSafe charger on the case and confirm it holds. Set the phone face down and confirm the raised bezel clears the table. Drop it once from waist height onto a hard floor, which is what your customer will do in week one.
MOQ, mould cost and lead time
Our standard terms: MOQ 100pcs per order with 20pcs per model per color. Samples take 3-5 days, or 7-10 days for a custom logo sample. Bulk production runs 15-20 days after payment. New model development takes about 60-90 days. Payment terms are 30% deposit with the balance before shipment.
What separates a factory from a trading company
Ask for a video of the injection machine running, not a photo of a warehouse. Ask which model they tooled most recently and when. A factory with its own mould shop can answer both in a sentence without checking with anyone. Our workshop has produced cases for overseas brands since 2011, currently 600,000+ pieces a month for buyers in 60+ countries.