Apple appears ready to make its boldest smartphone move in years. According to recent reports, the company has significantly increased production plans for its first foldable iPhone, widely expected to be branded as the iPhone Ultra. The latest estimates suggest Apple has instructed suppliers to prepare for around 10 million units, a substantial jump from earlier forecasts of 7-8 million devices.
Apple’s Largest Foldable Commitment Yet
For years, Apple has watched competitors such as Samsung, Huawei, and other Android manufacturers experiment with foldable smartphones. While the foldable category has remained relatively niche, Apple’s entry could dramatically reshape the market.
Reports indicate that Apple has raised its manufacturing targets by roughly one-third, signalling growing confidence in consumer demand for a premium foldable device. The company is reportedly preparing suppliers for an aggressive production schedule alongside the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models.
Premium Pricing Could Reach $2,500
The foldable iPhone is expected to sit at the very top of Apple’s smartphone portfolio. Industry analysts believe the device could carry an average selling price of around $2,500, with higher storage variants potentially crossing the $3,000 mark.
Such pricing would make it the most expensive mainstream iPhone ever launched. Apple appears to be positioning the device as a luxury flagship rather than a mass-market smartphone, targeting power users, early adopters, and premium customers.
Foldables May Become More Mainstream
Market researchers believe Apple’s arrival could boost confidence in the foldable segment. According to industry forecasts, Apple’s participation may contribute to higher average selling prices across the foldable smartphone market while encouraging greater software and ecosystem support.
The company’s reputation for refining technologies rather than launching them first could also help address concerns around durability, display creases, hinge reliability, and app optimisation.
Launch Expected Later This Year
Multiple reports suggest Apple could unveil the foldable iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup during its traditional September launch event. While the standard Pro models may launch first, the foldable variant is still expected to arrive during the 2026 product cycle.
If the reports prove accurate, the foldable iPhone Ultra could become one of Apple’s most important product launches since the original iPhone, opening an entirely new chapter in the company’s smartphone strategy.
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