Apple is reportedly preparing its first foldable iPhone for a far larger launch than many in the market expected. The company has raised its production target to around 10 million units for 2026, a clear sign that the device is being treated as a major premium product rather than a limited experiment.
The move strengthens the long-running expectation that Apple plans to enter the foldable category with enough scale to matter. Until now, Samsung has dominated the segment through the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip lines, while Huawei and Xiaomi have also pushed aggressively in different markets.
Production plans suggest a wider launch strategy
Reports indicate Apple initially expected to build around 7 million to 8 million units of the foldable model. Increasing that target to 10 million units suggests stronger confidence in demand and in the company’s ability to manage supply at premium price points.
The foldable device is still widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra in industry reports, although Apple has not confirmed the final name. According to Nikkei Asia, Apple has already asked several suppliers to expand manufacturing capacity for the device.
| Device / Plan | Reported Target | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Foldable iPhone / iPhone Ultra | 10 million units | 2026 |
| iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max | 70 million units | September 2026 launch window |
| Overall iPhone line | 220 million units | 2026 |
That scale places the foldable iPhone inside a much larger product cycle. If current plans hold, the device is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in September 2026, keeping it close to Apple’s flagship lineup.
A premium price is already shaping expectations
Price rumors point to a very high-end position for the foldable model. The starting price is said to begin at US$2,500, while the top storage version could reach US$3,000.
If those figures prove accurate, Apple would be targeting the ultra-premium tier rather than the broader mainstream market. That would also put the device above many current foldable Android rivals in price.
The company’s supply planning appears to match that strategy. Apple has reportedly asked some suppliers to prepare for an additional 85 million units in the second half of next year, while other reports say parts for the iPhone 17 may be reserved to support production of the next generation.
Design details remain under wraps
Apple has kept the technical details of its first foldable phone private. Rumors suggest the device will use a new hinge design, a thinner body, and flagship-level performance aligned with the rest of Apple’s top-tier lineup.
That approach would fit Apple’s usual formula: combine premium hardware with a tightly integrated software and ecosystem experience. For many buyers, that ecosystem could become the strongest reason to choose a foldable iPhone over existing alternatives.
The name iPhone Ultra may still change before launch, but the message from Apple’s production plans is already clear. A 10 million unit target would place the company in a much more aggressive position than a cautious first-generation rollout, and it could reshape the balance of power in foldables if demand follows expectations.