Is the Foldable iPhone Finally Here? Apple Ramps Up Production for the iPhone Ultra

If you’ve been waiting for Apple to finally join the foldable smartphone revolution, you might want to mark your calendar. The long-rumored foldable device—widely expected to be dubbed the iPhone Ultra—appears to be gearing up for a major debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series this September.

New reports suggest that Apple is feeling confident about this high-end entry. According to insights from Nikkei Asia, the tech giant has officially placed a production order for approximately 10 million units for 2026. This is a significant jump from earlier estimates, which pinned initial production targets closer to the 7 to 8 million range.

Big Numbers for a Big Launch

It’s not just the foldable market that Apple is betting on. The same report indicates that Apple has requested production for 70 million units of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. When you factor in the entire lineup, the company is aiming for a massive total of 220 million iPhones to roll off the assembly lines in 2026.

What to Expect

Supply chain chatter also points to Apple preparing for a busy second half of the year, with instructions given to suppliers to gear up for an additional 85 million units. There is even talk of repurposing key components from the iPhone 17 series to ensure the upcoming 18 series launch goes off without a hitch.

So, what about the price tag? While Apple has stayed characteristically quiet, rumors suggest the iPhone Ultra will lean into its premium status, with starting prices expected around $2,500. If you want to max out your storage, you should prepare for a figure closer to $3,000.

With a rumored unveiling date of September 8, we won’t have to wait much longer to see if the iPhone Ultra can shake up the foldable market. Stay tuned—this could be one of the most significant shifts in Apple’s design philosophy in years.