Apple Ramps Foldable iPhone Ultra Production to 10 Million Units

Apple has told suppliers to prepare for around 10 million units of its first foldable iPhone, widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, according to a Nikkei Asia report picked up by multiple outlets. That figure is up from an earlier target of 7 to 8 million units, and it signals real confidence in a first-generation product.

A bigger bet than expected
Earlier this year, most analysts pegged Apple's foldable orders at 7 million to 8 million units for 2026. The jump to roughly 10 million units suggests Apple's supply chain has cleared the hinge engineering problems that reportedly threatened the launch timeline earlier in development.

Part of a much larger order
The foldable iPhone Ultra is one piece of a bigger picture. Apple has also booked parts for around 80 million smartphones for the second half of 2026, covering the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable model, pushing Apple's total 2026 production toward roughly 220 million units.

What the iPhone Ultra is expected to look like
Leaks describe a book-style foldable with a roughly 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, Apple's A20 chip, a C2 modem, and Touch ID built into the power button in place of Face ID. It's expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September.

A premium price to match
Industry estimates put the foldable iPhone Ultra's starting price around $2,500, with higher-storage configurations reaching closer to $3,000. That would make it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold, well above the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which is rumored to hold near $1,999 for its base configuration.

Timing for buyers
Mass production is reportedly set to begin around the end of July, with a full-volume ramp not arriving until later in the year. Anyone hoping to get an iPhone Ultra close to launch day should expect limited initial stock even with the larger production number.

Why Apple can afford to be aggressive
Rivals including Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have each trimmed their annual production targets to below 100 million units as an industry-wide memory shortage drives up component costs. Apple's purchasing power appears to have left it in a stronger position, and the company has reportedly asked some suppliers to reserve iPhone 17 components for reuse in the iPhone 18 lineup rather than compete for new memory supply.

Get ready with a Komodoty case for your iPhone
Whether you're holding onto a current iPhone or planning to be first in line for the iPhone Ultra this fall, a precise case protects the investment either way. Komodoty builds slim iPhone cases in aramid fiber, Alcantara, and slim wood with a Kevlar core, cut with accurate camera and button cutouts and full wireless charging support. Check the current lineup in the Komodoty iPhone cases collection.