Overview
- Multiple reports based on TF International analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo say Apple plans to unveil a foldable phone called the iPhone Ultra in September but hold back wide sales in a staggered rollout similar to the iPhone X.
- Kuo and supply‑chain sources estimate an initial production run of about 7–8 million units in the second half of 2026, which carriers and suppliers expect will lead to preorder sell‑outs and poor availability through December.
- Price estimates place the device at roughly $2,300–$2,500 before tax, which would push European prices above €2,700 and position the Ultra in a super‑premium bracket.
- Market researcher Counterpoint projects Apple’s entry will lift the average selling price for foldables (about an 18% rise) and shift the category toward wider, book‑style 4:3 designs that emphasize tablet‑like multitasking.
- Analysts caution commercial success is uncertain and say real demand will only be measurable once shipments and consumer uptake stabilize in late 2026 into the first quarter of 2027, with early sales likely concentrated among less price‑sensitive buyers.