Apple's foldable iPhone Ultra could be scarce and pricey at launch, analyst predicts

Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone, expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, may debut this September but will likely be in very short supply and could ship a month or two later, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Coverage from multiple outlets confirms the device is anticipated to be Apple's first foldable, arriving seven years after Samsung launched its first such phone, as The Independent noted.

The IndependentFirst ever foldable iPhone faces severe delays, report says

Kuo, a widely followed Apple watcher, shared his assessment on X, according to Mashable. The analyst compared the situation to the iPhone X launch, where limited initial availability led to delays. 9to5Toys reported that Kuo sees very limited supply for the iPhone Ultra at its announcement, making a delayed shipping window "plausible." Engadget similarly noted that many who want the folding iPhone may not be able to get it at first.

2 sources

MashableApple's iPhone Ultra will be double the price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, report claimsEngadgetApple's foldable iPhone may be in short supply after it launches

"It will be pricey, and it'll still sell out fast."

Mashable's summary captures the likely outcome: high demand despite a steep price. According to the same report, the iPhone Ultra could cost double the price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, though no specific figure was given by the sources. Hothardware.com pointed out that customers could face "a couple of possible hiccups" in their wait, echoing the scarcity theme across the coverage.

hothardware.comWhy Apple's First Foldable iPhone May Be Incredibly Hard To Buy

Speculation about Apple's foldable has intensified as competitors like Samsung have dominated the category for years. The Independent highlighted that the folding iPhone Ultra comes seven years after Samsung's first foldable, underscoring how late Apple would be to the market. Yet the limited supply projections suggest Apple may prioritize a controlled rollout over mass availability, a strategy that worked for the iPhone X.

No official confirmation from Apple has been made, but Kuo's track record gives the report weight across the outlets. If the analyst is correct, the iPhone Ultra will be hard to buy at launch, leaving eager customers waiting months for a chance to own Apple's first foldable.