Apple's First Foldable iPhone Could Face Launch Delays and Severe Shortages

Apple is preparing to unveil its first foldable iPhone this fall, but buyers may have to wait longer than usual to get one.



Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple's upcoming foldable to follow a staggered release schedule similar to the 2017 launch of the iPhone X. While the device should be announced alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in September, limited early production could push pre-orders and retail availability into the fourth quarter.


Kuo estimates third-quarter assembly shipments for the foldable will total between 500,000 and one million units. For context, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models are expected to reach 20 to 22 million units during the same period, easily meeting the inventory requirements for an immediate September launch. The relatively low production volume also follows earlier reports that Apple has encountered engineering challenges with the device's complex hinge and display design, including development of a dual-layer glass structure intended to minimize the display crease.

Despite an expected price of roughly $2,300 to $2,500, Kuo expects demand to remain strong through the end of 2026. Based on discussions with carriers, retail channels, and resellers, he believes the foldable could sell out immediately once pre-orders open. Delivery estimates could quickly stretch to four to six weeks or longer through December, while limited supply and the device's distinctive design may support resale prices 50 to 100 percent above retail. Earlier reports indicate the device, widely rumored to launch under the iPhone Ultra branding, will feature a passport-style form factor with a 7.8-inch internal display and a side-by-side multitasking interface.

Total shipments for the foldable in the second half of 2026 are forecast at roughly seven to eight million units. By comparison, Apple shipped around 30 million iPhone X units during the second half of 2017. Kuo says foldable shipments are likely constrained by both the higher price point and greater manufacturing difficulty. He believes late 2026 through the first quarter of 2027 will provide the clearest indication of long-term demand, once launch excitement fades and early production constraints begin to ease.

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