Just a few days after the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, rumors about the Apple iPhone Ultra have surfaced online. Apple’s first ever foldable, which was supposed to launch this year, may reportedly get delayed. According to a DigiTimes report, manufacturing partner Foxconn is still refining parts of the production process.
The report suggests that Foxconn has started mass production earlier this month but continues to make engineering improvements before ramping up manufacturing. While we have already seen such moves during the development of the first generation, it may lead to a delay even if Apple announces the device on schedule.
Interestingly, this matches the earlier predictions made by the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who suggested that a foldable iPhone can be introduced along with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September but begin shipping weeks later. For the unversed, Apple has followed a similar approach before, including with the iPhone X, which was unveiled in September 2017 but reached customers only in November.
The reports also indicate that Apple plans to manufacture only 500,000 to 1 million units during the initial production phase, which could result in limited availability if demand is strong.
According to the report, Apple is focusing on improving the hinge mechanism and the durability of the foldable display. Foxconn is reportedly working to enhance long-term reliability while reducing the visibility of the screen crease.
The foldable iPhone, aka iPhone Ultra, is rumoured to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen in a book-style design. It is expected to run on Apple’s A20 Pro chip, pack a 4,883mAh dual-cell battery and use Touch ID integrated into the power button instead of Face ID. Camera specifications are tipped to include dual 48MP rear sensors and an 18MP front camera.
Apple’s first foldable is expected to compete with devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. However, reports suggest it could launch between USD 2,300 and USD 2,500 (roughly Rs 2.2 lakh to Rs 2.4 lakh), making it one of Apple’s most expensive smartphones to date.