We’re under a week out from Apple unveiling its very first foldable iPhone. A fresh supply chain update indicates that Apple’s “extremely high quality control standards” have significantly slowed the ramp-up of iPhone Ultra manufacturing.
iPhone Ultra production status
According to Nikkei Asia, Apple is currently producing only “a few hundred” iPhone Ultra units each day. This pace could make it “challenging” for the company to satisfy market demand for the device.
The report mentions that Apple scheduled an additional trial production run for the iPhone Ultra in August to “ensure the phone can be mass-produced according to its specified design.” This decision reportedly pushed back actual commercial production of the device “for weeks.”
Apple is said to be particularly focused on boosting production yields related to “surface flatness and the performance of the hinge.”
The current state of affairs, according to Nikkei’s sources, may lead to constrained availability of the iPhone Ultra once sales commence. “Normally, tens of thousands of phones would need to be produced each day to meet the planned production goal for the foldable iPhone,” the report notes.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported this week that he anticipates the foldable iPhone will launch “at the same time or very close to it” as the iPhone 18 Pro models. Gurman stated that he does not believe there are “massive delays or supply chain issues” affecting the device at this stage.
Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone Ultra on Wednesday next week as part of its “Surprise and shine” special event. Other rumored announcements include AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and iPhone 18 Pro. What are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments below.
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