Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra, on September 9, according to German outlet BornCity. The device is said to carry a starting price of $2,099.
The reports, aggregated by BornCity and other outlets, indicate that the iPhone Ultra faces significant production challenges ahead of its launch. Manufacturing output is currently described as low, with only a few hundred units being produced per day, according to golem.de.
BornCity characterizes the foldable device as involving "drastic compromises" for Apple. The high price point and limited initial production run suggest the iPhone Ultra will be a niche product rather than a mass-market release.
The production difficulties were also highlighted by heise online, which reported that the manufacturing process for the iPhone Ultra is not yet running smoothly. This aligns with analyst commentary from Citi, which has provided an outlook on Apple's supply chain for the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup and the foldable model.
The reports do not specify the nature of the production bottlenecks or the specific compromises in the device's design. They also do not clarify whether the September 9 date refers to a formal product announcement event or the start of sales.
If the production rate of only a few hundred units per day holds, initial stock of the iPhone Ultra will be extremely limited. This could lead to significant shortages and long wait times for customers who place orders shortly after the launch.
What to watch next: Whether Apple confirms the September 9 date and how it addresses the reported production constraints before the device reaches customers.
