Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone is reportedly still on track for a September launch, despite earlier speculation that production challenges could push the device back. If the latest supply-chain reports are accurate, the iPhone Ultra could become Apple’s most expensive and most sought-after iPhone yet.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone appears to be moving closer to launch, with new supply-chain reports suggesting that the device has not been delayed and remains on course for a September reveal.
According to 9to5Mac, multiple supply-chain sources have rejected recent claims that Apple’s folding iPhone, widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, has slipped behind schedule. The report states that production appears to be progressing towards a September release window, although early availability may still be extremely limited.
The latest update follows a period of conflicting rumours around Apple’s most ambitious iPhone redesign in years. Previous reports suggested that engineering challenges, production constraints and the complexity of the hinge system could push the device later into the year, or even into early 2027. More recent supplier checks, however, now point towards Apple pressing ahead with its expected launch timeline.
“The iPhone Ultra may not just be another flagship, it could be Apple’s most significant iPhone redesign since the original iPhone X.”
A Foldable iPhone Finally Moves Into View
The iPhone Ultra is expected to be Apple’s first book-style foldable smartphone, opening from a traditional phone-sized outer display into a larger tablet-like internal screen. MacRumors reports that the device is rumoured to feature a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover screen, an A20 chip, Apple’s C2 modem in selected markets and a Touch ID power button.
That design would position the iPhone Ultra as a hybrid device, somewhere between an iPhone Pro Max and an iPad mini. For users, the appeal is clear: a compact device for everyday use that can unfold into a larger workspace for video, multitasking, gaming, reading and productivity.
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Insert a foldable iPhone concept image here.
Caption: The iPhone Ultra is expected to open into a larger tablet-style display, giving Apple users a new form factor for multitasking and entertainment.
Production Momentum, But Limited Stock
While the latest reports appear to rule out a major delay, they do not suggest that the iPhone Ultra will be easy to buy at launch. 9to5Mac previously reported that analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the device to be available in very limited quantities at first, with third-quarter shipments estimated at just 500,000 to 1 million units.
That limited supply could create one of Apple’s most competitive launch windows in years. Kuo has suggested that delivery times could stretch to four to six weeks or longer, while availability may not stabilise until later in the year or early 2027.
For Apple, a constrained launch would not be unusual. The iPhone X, iPhone XR and iPhone 14 Plus all arrived later than the traditional September window, showing that Apple has previously staggered availability when launching major new designs or models.
“Apple may be preparing for a launch that is high in attention, high in price and low in early availability.”
Apple’s Most Expensive iPhone Yet
The iPhone Ultra is expected to sit above the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max as Apple’s new premium tier. Reports have suggested a starting price between roughly $2,000 and $2,500, making it the company’s most expensive iPhone to date.
That price would place the device firmly in luxury technology territory. Rather than competing directly with every premium smartphone, the iPhone Ultra would likely target early adopters, Apple ecosystem loyalists and users who want the flexibility of a phone and small tablet in one device.
The pricing also reflects the complexity of foldable hardware. Flexible displays, reinforced hinge systems, thinner internal components and specialised assembly processes all add cost. Apple will need to show that the iPhone Ultra offers more than novelty if it wants the device to justify its expected premium.
Why This Launch Matters
Apple is entering the foldable market later than rivals such as Samsung, Google and Honor, but that has often been part of the company’s strategy. Rather than being first, Apple typically waits until a category is mature enough to support a more polished version of the experience.
The iPhone Ultra could therefore be less about simply joining the foldable trend and more about redefining how foldables are perceived by mainstream premium buyers. If Apple can deliver a thinner design, a stronger hinge, a refined software experience and seamless integration with iOS, the device could help push foldables further into the mainstream.
However, expectations will be high. Foldable phones still face questions around durability, display creasing, battery life, repair costs and long-term reliability. Apple’s challenge will be to convince buyers that the iPhone Ultra is not just a futuristic showpiece, but a practical everyday device.
“For foldables to become mainstream, Apple will need to make the format feel less experimental and more essential.”
What To Watch Next
The key questions now are whether Apple confirms the iPhone Ultra at its September event, how quickly it opens pre-orders, and whether the first units ship alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models or slightly later.
The latest supply-chain reporting suggests the device is progressing as planned, but limited early supply could still shape the launch. For buyers, that means the iPhone Ultra may be announced on time, while still being difficult to obtain for weeks or even months afterwards.
For Apple, the stakes are significant. The iPhone remains the company’s most important product, and the iPhone Ultra could be the clearest signal yet that Apple sees foldable devices as part of its long-term hardware future.