Apple’s folding iPhone Ultra is delayed, but still set to launch this year

Apple’s long-rumoured folding iPhone – aka the iPhone Ultra – has reportedly hit a minor production delay. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound too severe, and it should still arrive this year as a contender for one of the best foldable phones.

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The news comes following a DigiTimes report (via MacRumors), which states that the iPhone Ultra is now expected to enter mass production in early August – around one to two months later than the originally planned June timeframe.

The delay is reportedly due to challenges during the Engineering Validation Test (EVT) phase, where Apple fine-tunes the design before moving into full-scale production. A separate report from Japanese site Nikkei has suggested that these issues could push the device into 2027, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman still believes that the iPhone Ultra is likely to arrive around the same time as the iPhone 18 models in September.

If the rumours are true, we’re likely looking at a tighter production schedule rather than a postponed launch. The bigger implication, though, could be availability – production delays can sometimes lead to limited stock at release, particularly for more complex hardware like foldables.

As for the device itself, the iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a roughly 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch screen when unfolded, putting it in line with book-style rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series. 

Pricing is tipped to fall between $2,000 and $2,500 (making it the most expensive iPhone ever), suggesting that Apple is positioning it as a premium, low-volume flagship, rather than a mainstream iPhone alternative.

That’s all the latest we have for now, but expect plenty more iPhone Ultra rumours between now and the official launch. 

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Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.