Apple’s Foldable iPhone Production Reportedly Limited to Hundreds of Units Per Day

Apple is reportedly struggling to ramp up production of its first foldable iPhone, with suppliers producing only a few hundred units per day as recently as late August.

According to a new Nikkei Asia report, Apple’s strict quality requirements have slowed production of the device, widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra. The company reportedly conducted another round of manufacturing verification in August, paying particular attention to the phone’s hinge and the flatness of its folding display. Those additional checks have reportedly pushed commercial production back by several weeks. “That initial volume could be challenging to meet market demand,” a supply chain manager told Nikkei Asia. 

The latest development comes after Apple seemingly made progress in overcoming earlier manufacturing hurdles around the hinge and display durability. In July, Nikkei reported Apple had increased its foldable iPhone production target to around 10 million units, up from previous estimates of seven to eight million. Reaching that number could now prove difficult unless production ramps up considerably.

Apple and its suppliers are reportedly working around the clock to increase output and avoid severely constrained inventory when the device eventually reaches stores.

Limited availability wouldn’t exactly come out of nowhere. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously predicted the iPhone Ultra could repeat the iPhone X’s delayed launch strategy, with Apple unveiling the device alongside its other flagship iPhones before opening pre-orders later. More recently, another report claimed the iPhone Ultra could initially launch only in the United States, potentially leaving hopeful Canadian consumers waiting several additional months.

None of that is official yet, as the company has yet to unveil the new series of devices. Apple has confirmed its “Surprise and shine” event for September 9, where the foldable iPhone is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. As of now, seeing Apple’s first foldable next week seems far more certain than actually being able to buy one anytime soon. However, Apple’s keynote will bring much more context on availability.