Apple is planning a bigger production run for its first foldable iPhone than previously expected, according to a new report from Nikkei Asia. The company has reportedly told suppliers to prepare around 10 million iPhone Ultra units for 2026, up from earlier estimates of 7 to 8 million.
A 30% jump in the build target
The raised figure is notable for a first-generation device that has had a complicated road to production. Reports from earlier this year described hinge-related manufacturing problems that briefly cast doubt on the September launch timeline. Apple is said to have worked through most of those issues since, and committing to a higher volume suggests the company is confident that production is now stable enough to support it.
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The iPhone Ultra is expected to arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at Apple’s fall event in September. Earlier leaks describe it as a book-style foldable with a 7.8-inch inner OLED display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, Apple’s A20 chip, and a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button in place of Face ID. Nikkei adds that Apple has told some suppliers to expect up to 85 million total new iPhone orders across the second half of 2026, which could push projected full-year orders to around 220 million units.
Priced well above the Pro Max
Apple producing more units may not make the iPhone Ultra any cheaper. Leaks suggest a starting price of around $2,500, with higher-storage options potentially reaching $3,000, putting it substantially above the top-end iPhone 18 Pro Max and competing foldables currently on the market.
At that price, compromises like Touch ID instead of Face ID and a dual camera setup without a dedicated telephoto sensor may become difficult for Apple to justify. For a device priced closer to a MacBook than a Pro Max, buyers will likely expect a lot more than what the first generation is currently rumored to deliver.
