Is the Foldable iPhone Launch Hitting a Roadblock?

The rumor mill is spinning faster than ever about Apple’s highly anticipated entry into the foldable market. The “iPhone Ultra”—Apple’s take on a folding device—is expected to make its grand debut this September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. However, if you’re planning on being the first in line, you might want to adjust your expectations. A fresh report suggests we might be waiting a bit longer to get our hands on one.

Renowned industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently shared some intel suggesting that manufacturing hurdles could lead to limited stock at launch. Unlike the standard iPhone 18 Pro or the Pro Max models, which should hit the ground running, the iPhone Ultra looks set for a delayed shipping schedule.

Kuo projects that shipments for the foldable flagship may not begin until the fourth quarter of 2026. Even with a steep starting price ranging from $2,300 to $2,500, demand is expected to be white-hot. Given the anticipated supply constraints, it’s not hard to imagine units selling out the moment pre-orders go live, likely fueling a secondary market where scalpers look to flip the device for a massive markup.

What to expect from the hardware:

Display: A 7.76-inch main foldable screen paired with a 5.49-inch cover display.
Performance: Likely powered by the next-gen A20 Pro chipset with 12GB of RAM.
Battery Life: Rumored to house a 5,500mAh battery, which would be Apple’s largest smartphone battery to date.

While reports on production targets have fluctuated—with some sources suggesting Apple is aiming to push out roughly 10 million units by the end of 2026—the general consensus remains the same: this will be a niche, high-end device that sets a new bar for the iPhone lineup. Whether Apple can smooth out these supply chain kinks before the big reveal remains the billion-dollar question.