iPhone Ultra: Production delayed, launch tight Apfelpatient

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According to a Digitimes report, mass production of the iPhone Ultra is being delayed from July to August. Apple's foldable iPhone is still expected to be released in September – but availability at launch is likely to be extremely limited.

The news surrounding the timeline of Apple's first foldable iPhone remains inconsistent. Last week, Nikkei Asia reported serious engineering problems that could delay the launch of the device, then still called the iPhone Fold, until 2027. Just hours later, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman contradicted this and confirmed the September launch date. Now, a new report paints a more nuanced picture: Production has indeed slowed down – but not enough to jeopardize the launch. The problem lies elsewhere: The initial production numbers are expected to be very limited (via Digitimes).

Normally, mass production of new iPhones begins in June so that Apple can build up sufficient inventory for the September launch. For the iPhone Ultra – which was long rumored to be the iPhone Fold before a leak revealed the Ultra name – this timeline has now shifted from July to August. This means that instead of the usual three months, Apple now only has around six weeks to manufacture devices for the launch. For a completely new product type with complex manufacturing, this is ambitious.

Why production is stalling

The delay is related to the various validation phases that every new Apple device must undergo. Engineering Validation Tests (EVT) have already been delayed. Following this, Design Validation Tests (DVT) and Production Validation Tests (PVT) must be completed before full-scale production can begin. With the production launch now postponed to August, these phases will be more tightly scheduled than usual.

Supply chain sources, however, emphasize that Apple is still committed to a 2026 launch. The delay is real, but not significant enough to scrap the September date. It's more a matter of a compressed schedule than a fundamental problem.

What this means for buyers

The practical consequence: Anyone wanting the iPhone Ultra at launch needs to act fast. With only one month of mass production before the sales launch, the available quantities are likely to be significantly lower than at a regular iPhone launch. Long delivery times and configurations selling out quickly are probable – similar to the launch of the Apple Vision Pro, where demand also far exceeded the limited supply.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Samsung, as the exclusive display supplier, is planning an initial shipment of around three million units – a fraction of what Apple typically sells at a regular iPhone launch. With an expected price exceeding $2,000, demand will naturally be lower than for the standard iPhone, but interest in Apple's first foldable device is still likely to outstrip the limited supply.

iPhone Ultra: An overview

The various reports from the past week paint a consistent picture: Apple is developing the iPhone Ultra under time pressure, has overcome the fundamental technical hurdles – including the almost invisible display crease – but is struggling with the tight production schedule. The September launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro remains the goal. The question is no longer whether it will be released, but in what quantities. (Image: Shutterstock / Sergey Eremin)