Apple is preparing one of the most significant product rollouts in its history, with plans to introduce at least five new iPhone models between the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027, according to a report from Nikkei Asia. At the center of this ambitious expansion is the company's first foldable iPhone, tentatively named the iPhone Ultra, for which Apple has reportedly raised production targets to approximately 10 million units this year.
The revised production figure represents a substantial increase from earlier estimates of 7 million to 8 million units, signaling growing confidence within Cupertino about consumer demand for its entry into the foldable smartphone category. The expanded production plan comes as smartphone manufacturers accelerate investments in foldable devices despite ongoing constraints in the global supply of key components.
A New Chapter for the iPhone Lineup
Apple's reported strategy suggests the company is aiming to strengthen its position in the premium smartphone market by entering the foldable category at significant scale. The premium foldable segment has been led by Samsung Electronics, while Chinese manufacturers including Huawei have also expanded their offerings. According to Counterpoint Research, global foldable smartphone display orders are expected to reach around 27.5 million units in 2026, up roughly 24 percent from 2025.
The iPhone Ultra is projected to capture approximately 29 percent of those display orders, placing it ahead of Huawei's 24 percent share and just behind Samsung's 31 percent. This would represent a remarkable market entry for Apple's first attempt at a foldable device, underscoring the company's ability to command attention even in categories where it arrives later than competitors.
Industry analysts at IDC predict that the foldable iPhone Ultra could carry an average selling price of around $2,500, with higher-storage configurations reaching as much as $3,000. This would make it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold, positioning the device firmly in the ultra-premium tier of the smartphone market.
Production Ambitions Amid Supply Chain Pressures
Apple's increased production targets extend beyond the foldable model. The company is reportedly planning approximately 70 million iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max units, bringing new second-half introductions to about 80 million and total annual orders to 220 million. Some suppliers have been told to expect as many as 85 million new iPhone orders in the second half of 2026 alone.
This aggressive production schedule comes at a time when Apple continues to navigate higher component costs and ongoing supply-chain pressures. The company recently increased prices for several Mac and iPad models, citing rising costs for memory and storage chips. Apple executives have also cautioned that sustained increases in component prices could eventually influence future iPhone pricing.
Despite these headwinds, Apple has instructed suppliers to reserve some common components and parts used in the iPhone 17 series for the upcoming iPhone 18 premium series, indicating the company is moving aggressively to secure components amid ongoing shortages.
Display Technology and Supply Chain Partners
Samsung Display has emerged as a critical partner in Apple's foldable ambitions. The South Korean display manufacturer has received approval from Apple to begin production of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) modules for the first foldable smartphone. The two companies signed a three-year exclusive supply agreement for foldable OLED displays, during which Apple will not use foldable OLED panels from any other supplier.
Apple's approval threshold for display quality is known to be a yield rate of at least 70 percent. Samsung Display reportedly passed the requirement after achieving final yields exceeding 80 percent, a testament to the manufacturing sophistication required for foldable display technology.
Initial shipments this year are expected to total around 3 million panels, with back-end processing being handled at Samsung Display's Vietnam operations. The facility currently operates approximately 50 production lines out of a total capacity of around 80 lines, with only a portion being utilized for Apple's initial foldable OLED order.
The foldable OLED panel is expected to adopt Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology, which removes the polarizer and forms a color filter directly on top of the encapsulation layer. The display will also use Samsung Display's latest OLED material set, known as M16, which offers improvements in brightness, color performance, lifespan and power efficiency compared with previous generations.
The Hinge Challenge
While display production appears to be progressing smoothly, the hinge mechanism remains one of the most critical and challenging components in a foldable smartphone. The hinge directly affects folding performance, crease visibility and long-term durability.
Industry sources indicate that Apple's hinge module, which is expected to be manufactured using 3D-printing technology, has experienced issues related to unwanted noise after assembly. "Apple appears to be facing challenges in stabilizing production of the hinge module for its first foldable smartphone," an industry source said. "There are no issues on Samsung Display's side. The launch schedule will ultimately depend on Apple's readiness for device components, particularly the hinge."
Potential delays related to hinge production are estimated at roughly two weeks to one month. However, some sources have pushed back against reports of major delays, arguing that any adjustments would likely be measured in weeks rather than a delay extending into the following year.
Launch Timeline and Market Positioning
The rumored foldable iPhone is expected to feature a book-style design with a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch inner display. Other anticipated specifications include a Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, a titanium frame, a liquid metal hinge, two rear cameras, the new A20 processor, and a C2 modem.
Most reports currently agree that Apple will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026. The standard iPhone 18, meanwhile, is widely expected to move to a new release schedule and launch in spring 2027. The fate of the foldable iPhone Ultra, however, has been the subject of conflicting reports.
Chinese leaker Fixed Focus Digital has publicly rejected claims of major delays, arguing that Apple is still targeting a September unveiling for the foldable device. That assessment aligns with previous comments from prominent technology journalist Mark Gurman, who reported that Apple plans to introduce the foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup this autumn, although retail availability could come later than usual.
Under that scenario, Apple could unveil the product in September to generate publicity while delaying shipments by several weeks or months. This would allow the company to manage demand through a gradual rollout, particularly given the premium price point and relatively small target audience compared with mainstream smartphone buyers.
Software Readiness
Evidence of Apple's foldable ambitions has also emerged in software. Hidden files in the iOS 27 Developer Beta 1, analyzed by the M1Astra software research team, contain code that helps determine whether the device is folded or unfolded. The research team discovered an internal mechanism called "foldState," along with entries labeled "mechanicalAngleDegrees" and "angleDegrees," suggesting the operating system is capable of determining the physical hinge opening angle.
On iOS 27, the software mentions a secondary display, a second layer of protective glass, and two additional light sensors, further indicating preparation for foldable hardware. In macOS 27 Golden Gate, Apple updated the iPhone Mirroring feature, allowing users to resize the window and expand the space to switch to an iPad layout. Bloomberg previously reported that the foldable iPhone would have an iPad-like interface, including a left-hand menu bar and the ability to run two apps simultaneously, improving multitasking capabilities.
During its Platforms State of the Union developer presentation, Apple also highlighted the concept of responsive applications, helping developers design software that works across multiple screen sizes and aspect ratios. These software developments suggest the operating system is ready to run on new hardware devices.
Market Implications
Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market comes after years of watching rivals dominate the category. Samsung has been selling foldables since 2019, while Huawei has pushed the format hard in China. Apple, as usual, appears to be arriving only once it can charge enough to make everyone forget how late it is.
The timing may prove advantageous. Clamshell models have helped make the category feel less niche, and consumer awareness of foldable devices has grown significantly. IDC predicts that Apple could ship close to 240 million iPhones in 2026, a figure that would include the new foldable model.
Apple shares rose about 1.7 percent in the previous trading session following the report, while the company has not publicly commented on the reported production plans. The market's positive reaction suggests investors view the foldable iPhone as a meaningful growth opportunity for Apple's flagship product line.
Many iOS users have looked at Samsung's foldable lineups with envy but refused to make the switch to Android. The question now is how many will be willing to hand over $2,500 to $3,000 for Apple's version. With production targets raised and supply chain preparations underway, Apple is clearly betting that the answer will be in the millions.
This article is based on reporting from Nikkei Asia, TechSpot, 9to5Mac, Yahoo Finance, The Elec, and other sources. Apple has not publicly commented on the reported production plans.
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