Apple's foldable iPhone could be hardest iPhone to buy at launch: Report

Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to arrive later this year, but buyers may struggle to get hold of the device in the months immediately following its unveiling if new supply chain estimates prove accurate.

Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple's production plans point to a highly restricted launch, with only a fraction of the expected annual output likely to be available around the time the handset is announced. The device, widely rumoured to carry the name "iPhone Ultra", is anticipated to be introduced alongside the company's next iPhone lineup in September.

Apple's foldable debut could face supply constraints

According to Kuo's latest industry survey, Apple is expected to assemble roughly 7 million to 8 million foldable iPhones during the second half of 2026. Of those, only around 500,000 to 1 million units are projected to be produced during the third quarter, representing approximately 10 per cent of total shipments for the period.

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Kuo contrasted those figures with Apple's premium flagship models, estimating shipments of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max at around 20 million to 22 million units during the same quarter, suggesting the foldable model will launch with far tighter inventory.

The comparatively low production volume has fuelled speculation that Apple could delay retail availability even if the device is officially announced in September. The company adopted a similar strategy with the iPhone X, which was unveiled alongside other iPhones but reached customers several weeks later because of manufacturing challenges.

Long waits and premium resale prices could follow

If Apple's production schedule remains unchanged, customers ordering the foldable iPhone shortly after launch may face extended delivery times. Kuo believes shipping estimates could stretch to between four and six weeks, or even longer, with supply unlikely to stabilise before December.

Limited availability may also create an opportunity for resellers. Kuo predicts the device could command premiums of between 50% and 100% above its official retail price in secondary markets during the early months of availability, reflecting both constrained supply and anticipated demand.

Apple has yet to confirm the existence of a foldable iPhone, but reports over the past year have consistently suggested that the company is preparing to enter the foldable smartphone segment after rivals spent years refining the category.

The handset is expected to feature a 5.5-inch external display and a larger 7.8-inch folding screen inside, offering a tablet-like experience when opened. Reports also suggest the device could measure less than 5mm thick when unfolded, making it thinner than the recently introduced iPhone Air. Kuo continues to estimate a retail price between $2,300 and $2,500, positioning it as Apple's most expensive iPhone to date.

Should Apple's launch timeline remain on track, securing a device during the initial release window may depend largely on placing a preorder as soon as orders open. Kuo believes supply pressures and heightened demand are unlikely to ease until the first quarter of 2027, when Apple should have a clearer picture of the foldable iPhone's long-term market performance.