If you’re looking forward to seeing Apple’s first ever foldable phone, you might not have long to wait—but good luck actually getting your hands on it when it does eventually launch. Early adopters outside the US or with limited funds could be out of luck.
A major Chinese component supplier told Channel News earlier this month that Apple plans to reveal its first foldable iPhone, which may be called the iPhone Ultra, at its September 8 US launch event, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
However, the supplier said Apple is battling supply, testing and pricing issues which could mean a staggered rollout in countries outside of the US, such as in Australia, with larger markets like China next in line after the US.
The supplier claimed that Apple had been hit by “more issues than expected” during production verification tests, with the hinge and foldable display highlighted as the major issues. Apple now reportedly plans to manufacture 7 to 8 million units of the new device in the second half of 2026.
Mass production has repeatedly been pushed back according to the supplier, from its original target of June 2026, with Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn making “adjustments” to its plans.
The reports line up with those of well-known Apple leaker and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who also predicted supply issues constraining production, estimating Apple may only make 0.5 to 1 million units available in the third quarter of 2026, compared with 20 to 22 million units of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max total in 3Q26.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Kuo compares the situation to that of the iPhone X in 2017, where supply constraints linked to new tech like Face ID meant shortages over the holiday season and sky-high costs among retailers. It was the most expensive iPhone ever at launch.
Recommended by Our Editors
The foldable is expected to have a passport-style design that flips horizontally, as opposed to a vertical flip like the Samsung Z Flip 7 or the Motorola Razr Ultra, according to Bloomberg’s Matt Gurman.
If the new foldable does actually launch in September, it will be the fulfillment of a long-held ambition for Apple. Rumblings of Apple working on a foldable started appearing as far back as 2016.
If you can’t wait that long for a cutting-edge foldable, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold debuted last month.
About Our Expert
Experience
I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.
I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs.
Leave a Reply