Apple's Foldable iPhone Ultra Faces Limited Supply and Delayed Launch

Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable smartphone, dubbed the iPhone Ultra, at its September 2026 event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. Analysts Ming‑Chi Kuo and Guo Ming‑Qi warn that production will be modest – roughly 500,000 to 1 million units in Q3 2026 and about 7‑8 million for the full year, far below the 20‑22 million units projected for the regular Pro models. Because of manufacturing challenges with the hinge and flexible displays, pre‑orders may not open until the fourth quarter of 2026, with customers potentially waiting four to six weeks or longer. Pricing is projected at US$2,299‑$2,499, positioning the device as a premium offering. Luxury‑customizer Caviar has already announced limited‑edition versions priced between $13,840 and $16,270. The limited supply is expected to drive high resale margins, echoing the rollout of the 2017 iPhone X, which also saw a delayed pre‑order window and strong secondary‑market demand.