Apple is reportedly announcing its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max this September, but buyers could end up waiting several weeks before they can actually place an order. According to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, manufacturing constraints are expected to limit early production of the device, which is widely rumoured to be called the iPhone Ultra.
If that happens, Apple would be repeating a strategy it has used before. In 2017, the company unveiled the iPhone X together with the iPhone 8 series in September, but delayed iPhone X pre-orders until late October because production could not keep up with demand. Kuo expects something similar for Apple’s first foldable. While the device could make its debut at the September launch event, pre-orders may only begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
iPhone Ultra leaked specifications and features
Rumours suggest Apple’s first foldable will resemble a book-style foldable rather than a clamshell. It is tipped to feature a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, making it closer in size to an iPad mini when unfolded. The phone is also expected to measure less than 5 mm thick when open.
Previous leaks indicate the device could use Touch ID instead of Face ID, as its ultra-thin design may not leave enough room for Apple’s TrueDepth camera hardware. It is also expected to carry a premium price tag of around USD 2,299 (around Rs 2.19 lakh) to USD 2,499 (around Rs 2.38 lakh) in the US, which would make it Apple’s most expensive iPhone yet.
Kuo estimates Apple suppliers will ship around 7 to 8 million foldable iPhones through 2026, well below the projected 20 to 22 million combined shipments of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Only a small fraction of those foldable units are expected to be ready around launch. That could translate into long delivery timelines, with Kuo predicting shipping estimates of four to six weeks or longer after pre-orders open. He also believes demand could outnumber supply enough for resellers to charge hefty premiums.
Apple is entering a market that already includes foldables from Samsung, OPPO, Google, Huawei and Honor. Rather than trying to match those brands on price or volume, the company appears to be positioning the iPhone Ultra as an ultra-premium offering with limited initial availability. Unless you’re keen on being among the first to own Apple’s foldable, waiting for supply to improve could mean shorter delivery times.
