Apple's long-rumoured foldable iPhone, widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, may not be immediately available after its official unveiling, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The report suggests manufacturing challenges could delay pre-orders and shipments, despite strong demand for the premium device.
According to Kuo, Apple is preparing to unveil the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026.
However, unlike the Pro models, the foldable iPhone is expected to launch in limited quantities, meaning pre-orders may begin later than the rest of the iPhone 18 series.
Shipments could start in late 2026
Kuo believes Apple could begin shipping the iPhone Ultra during the fourth quarter of 2026.
Despite its reported price of $2,300 to $2,500, the analyst expects the foldable device to sell out quickly once it becomes available.
The anticipated shortage could also encourage scalpers to resell the iPhone Ultra at significantly higher prices.
Kuo estimates resale prices could rise 50% to 100% above the official retail price because of limited availability during the initial launch period.
Apple targets millions of Foldable iPhones
According to Kuo, Apple is expected to ship around 7 to 8 million iPhone Ultra units by the end of 2026.
However, another recent report claimed the company has already increased its production target to approximately 10 million units for next year, indicating growing confidence in demand.
Rumoured specifications
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.76-inch main display and a 5.49-inch external cover screen.
It is also rumoured to be powered by Apple's upcoming A20 Pro processor, paired with 12GB of RAM and a 5,500mAh battery, making it one of the company's most powerful smartphones to date.
