Apple's Foldable iPhone could see a staggered rollout following September launch

Apple's highly anticipated foldable smartphone, reportedly called the iPhone Ultra, is rumoured to make its debut in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. However, a recent update suggests that the foldable iPhone may not be available for pre-orders immediately after its unveiling, with shipments likely to begin several weeks later.

Why the iPhone Ultra could go on sale later than expected

TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that the iPhone Ultra will follow a launch schedule similar to that of the iPhone X. According to him, the handset's key technological innovations—particularly its foldable OLED display and advanced hinge mechanism—have made manufacturing significantly more challenging, resulting in limited early production.

Citing an industry survey, Kuo predicts that Apple will ship between 500,000 and one million units of the iPhone Ultra during the third quarter of 2026. That would account for only around 10 percent of the company's estimated 7 to 8 million foldable iPhone shipments for the second half of the year.

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As a result, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in September, but the device may not be available for pre-orders or retail sales until the fourth quarter of 2026.

Kuo further estimates that demand for the smartphone will remain strong even if Apple prices it between $2,300 (roughly Rs. 2.2 lakh) and $2,500 (about Rs. 2.39 lakh). Despite the expected strong demand, initial deliveries could begin four to six weeks after launch due to supply constraints.

The latest update comes shortly after another report claimed that the iPhone Ultra has entered the final production stage and remains on track for its expected global debut in September. Earlier reports, however, suggested that the handset had encountered production delays as Apple worked to stabilise manufacturing of its complex hinge module.