Apple's Foldable Smartphone: Anticipation and Challenges Ahead
Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra, is set to be announced in September with a delayed release, similar to the iPhone X strategy. Limited production may lead to quick sellouts.
Apple is gearing up to unveil its first foldable smartphone, tentatively named the iPhone Ultra, this September. According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the launch will mirror the strategy used for the iPhone X in 2017, with the device's release delayed significantly after its announcement. This approach has raised eyebrows among tech enthusiasts and industry observers alike, as it suggests a cautious rollout for a new product category.
Kuo's insights indicate that while Apple plans to announce its fall lineup in September, the iPhone Ultra will not be available for purchase until later. Initially, the company intends to produce a limited number of units, with estimates suggesting that the first batch could sell out by the end of this year. Full-scale production is expected to ramp up by the spring of 2027.
The delayed availability of the iPhone Ultra is reminiscent of the iPhone X, which was introduced alongside the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus in September 2017. Pre-orders for the iPhone X did not commence until late October, with sales starting on November 3rd, while the other two models were available just ten days post-announcement.
For the iPhone Ultra, Kuo predicts Apple will manufacture between seven and eight million units in the latter half of 2026. In contrast, the anticipated iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max models are expected to see production numbers soar, with up to 22 million units slated for release in the same quarter.
The pricing for the iPhone Ultra is projected to be between $2,300 and $2,500 before tax, which could translate to over €2,700 in Europe. Despite the steep price tag, retailers and mobile carriers anticipate that the devices will sell out quickly upon pre-order launch, with limited availability expected to persist until December.
Whether the iPhone Ultra will achieve commercial success remains uncertain, as Kuo notes that true demand will not be measurable until late 2026 or early 2027. Apple has faced challenges in selling special variants of its iPhones in the past, such as the iPhone Air. In the fall of 2026, Apple is expected to release only three new models: the Ultra, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max, with additional models like the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and potentially an Air 2 slated for spring 2027.
