iPhone Ultra May Not Release Outside the U.S. at Launch

A new report by ChannelNews is claiming that Apple’s long rumoured book-style foldable ‘iPhone Ultra’ could see a staggered market rollout due to production setbacks, pricing complications, and early manufacturing issues (via MacRumors).

According to carrier and retail sources cited by the Australian outlet, Apple plans to announce the foldable iPhone Ultra alongside the flagship iPhone 18 Pro lineup at its annual hardware event in September. However, while the standard Pro models will hit store shelves on schedule, the foldable model is expected to be a “no show” in international markets at launch.

The company reportedly intends to prioritize initial shipments exclusively for the U.S. market, with a gradual release expanding into major regions like China, Europe, and Australia over two to three months.

This rumour aligns closely with recent insights shared by supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo previously reported that while Apple will reveal its foldable hardware in September, pre-orders and retail availability for the Ultra model would lag behind the rest of the lineup. Manufacturing challenges surrounding the device’s specialized hinge mechanics and crease-free inner display durability have restricted early production yields, forcing Apple to manage limited stock carefully.

A delayed rollout would mimic the strategy Apple used when launching the Vision Pro spatial computer in early 2024. That device was restricted to the U.S. for several months before rolling out across Asia, Europe, and North America. Low production yields, high price points, and specialized retail onboarding were the primary drivers behind that delayed timeline.

Supply chain reports from Nikkei Asia suggest that Foxconn recently increased its production allocation for the foldable iPhone to roughly 10 million units for the year, up from initial estimates of 7 to 8 million. Even with that bump, 10 million units is a small fraction of Apple’s typical volume.