Apple Plans Five New iPhone Models, First Foldable, Boosts Production to 10 Million

Apple is preparing to launch at least five new iPhone models between the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027. The lineup will include the company's first foldable smartphone, referred to as the iPhone Ultra, expected to retail for about $2,500 and possibly up to $3,000 for higher‑spec variants. Production plans for the foldable have been raised to roughly 10 million units this year, up from earlier forecasts of 7‑8 million.

The firm has also secured components for around 80 million smartphones slated for the latter half of 2026, covering the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and other new models. Total smartphone output for 2026 is projected to exceed 220 million devices, giving Apple a considerable advantage over rivals such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, which face component shortages. Apple is reportedly in talks with Chinese memory‑chip makers ChangXin and Yangtze, companies listed by the Pentagon as supporting China’s military, to diversify its supply chain. Recent price increases on MacBook and iPad lines reflect broader cost pressures in the industry.