What is currently known about Apple’s expected first foldable iPhone—reportedly called the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold—including its anticipated September 8, 2026 unveiling alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, the possibility that it will ship after the Pro and Pro Max models, pro

Production and supply: Earlier analyst estimates put second-half 2026 production at roughly 7–8 million, with only about 500,000–1 million units made in the third quarter—consistent with severe initial scarcity. But Nikkei-derived reporting later said Apple had raised its target to about 10 million for 2026, so the 7–8 million figure should not be treated as current settled guidance.

Hinge, display, testing, and cost: Reports conflict rather than establish a clean “problems solved” story. Some say the hinge issues were resolved and plans finalized without a major redesign; others, later in the cycle, say Foxconn was still making final mass-production adjustments and that supply, testing, and pricing pressures could affect timing.

Price and queues: A $2,299–$2,499 entry price is plausible speculation for a first-generation premium foldable, but remains unconfirmed. Likewise, immediate sellouts and four-to-six-week—or longer—delivery estimates are credible consequences of the rumored low initial allocation, not announced lead times.

Geographic rollout: A US-first launch, followed by China and much later availability in India, Australia, and other markets has been reported, but it rests on localized carrier/supply-chain claims. Treat a two-to-three-month lag as a scenario, not a schedule.

Samsung context: Samsung has already launched the $1,900 Galaxy Z Fold 8 and $2,100 Fold 8 Ultra, giving it a mature-product and price advantage if Apple’s model enters around $2,300–$2,500 with constrained supply. Bloomberg also describes the Fold 8’s wider “passport” format as a form factor Apple is expected to echo.