For months, reports have been circulating that Apple's first foldable iPhone could be significantly delayed – until 2027. A well-connected leaker has now firmly refuted these speculations, calling them simply false. This has created a conflict between two camps with opposing timelines.
Apple's first foldable iPhone – rumored to be the iPhone Ultra – is expected to launch this fall alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. However, conflicting reports surround this timeline, some suggesting a significant delay. A new statement from the Chinese leaker Fixed Focus Digital strongly contradicts these rumors and aligns with the existing picture of the iPhone Ultra, which has long predicted a fall 2026 launch.
What the leaker says in response to the denial
In a post on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital called the reports of a delay false and the assumption that the market launch had been postponed until next year far-fetched. The most likely scenario remains a market launch alongside the iPhone 18 series. Even if there were a delay, it is expected to be only about a month before the sales launch.
When confronted with the fact that several reports suggested a postponement, the leaker simply replied that people should just believe him – there was no delay. Fixed Focus Digital thus reaffirmed an assessment he had previously made.
Reports about a possible postponement
Several voices disagree, suggesting a later launch is possible. An investor note by Barclays analyst Tim Long in March suggested the market launch could be delayed until December – which would mean a gap of approximately three months compared to the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman also supported the assumption of a later release date, but suggested that the new flagship model wouldn't follow the iPhone 18 Pro for too long. His wording regarding a slight delay suggested an October launch rather than a December one. A later report from Nikkei Asia went even further, citing technical development issues that could push the launch back to early 2027.
The hinge as a potential weak point
The delay speculation stems from repeated indications of difficulties in the late stages of development. In May, leaker Instant Digital reported problems with the durability of the hinge mechanism. While Apple is said to have largely resolved the issue of the visible display crease, the long-term reliability of the hinge reportedly still did not meet the company's standards.
Apple is known for its strict reliability requirements for new product categories. However, persistent concerns specifically regarding the hinge would be an unusual situation so close to an expected market launch.
Why a staggered start wouldn't be a break
Even a staggered launch wouldn't be unprecedented for Apple. The iPhone X didn't hit stores until November 2017, while the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, unveiled at the same time, were available in September as usual. Apple also opted for a later launch for the iPhone XR and iPhone 14 Plus.
A staggered launch would also have a practical advantage: it would ease the strain on production capacity for the Pro and Ultra models. And even if the iPhone Ultra were to hit the market after September, it would likely be unveiled at the annual iPhone keynote.
A short delay seems more likely than a long one
Comparing the reports side-by-side, the picture increasingly points to a September unveiling and a sales launch that might only be delayed by a few weeks at most. The prediction of a launch in December or even 2027 remains the outlier among the estimates. As long as Apple hasn't confirmed a date, caution is advised – however, the majority of current indications suggest a short rather than a long delay. (Image: Shutterstock / tinhkhuong)
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