Apple to Stagger Foldable 'iPhone Ultra' Launch Following September Reveal

Apple is expected to unveil its highly anticipated foldable smartphone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro this September, but buyers may have to wait several weeks before the device reaches store shelves. The company is reportedly preparing a staggered release schedule similar to the launch of the iPhone X.



Supply chain sources indicate that while the standard iPhone 18 Pro models have already entered mass production, the foldable variant remains in production testing. Apple has been pushing suppliers to accelerate the process, but the more complex device is not expected to be ready for an immediate September release. Instead, Apple is expected to showcase the entire lineup at its fall media event, ship the Pro models a week later, with the foldable expected to follow several weeks afterward.


This timeline tracks closely with recent supply chain checks indicating Apple has largely resolved earlier engineering challenges surrounding the folding hinge mechanism. Mass manufacturing for the foldable is targeted to begin in late July. Because the standard Pro models are further ahead in the pipeline and feature fewer external design changes, the foldable's more advanced mechanical design requires additional manufacturing time before launch.

The handset is widely expected to launch under a new Ultra branding, sitting above the Pro Max as a distinct premium tier. According to Macworld, component costs for the device are substantially higher than those of traditional iPhones, driven primarily by the foldable display and hinge mechanism. As a result, the retail price is projected to be the highest in Apple's history, potentially reaching up to $2,500 depending on the storage configuration.

Early mockups suggest a passport-style design with a wide aspect ratio and a roughly 7.8-inch internal display designed for multitasking. Apple is also reportedly relying on a dual-layer glass structure to help minimize the display crease, while a side-mounted Touch ID sensor could help keep the chassis thinner than a Face ID implementation.

The expected unveiling would also mark the first major hardware announcement since the confirmation that John Ternus will officially become Apple CEO on September 1. If the reported timeline holds, Apple's first foldable iPhone would be introduced just days after he assumes the role.