Apple's launch timeline for its first foldable, tentatively dubbed the iPhone Ultra, has now reportedly slipped from the fall of 2026 to early 2027 amid an onslaught of engineering and supply chain-related challenges.
Apple's iPhone Ultra is expected to debut within a predictably stratospheric, albeit fairly narrow, price range
We reported back in May 2026 that Apple was encountering difficulties related to the intricate hinge mechanism of its foldable iPhone, replete with worrying "rattling" noises that supposedly emanated when the hinge was rotated to open and close the foldable.
Those reports, however, were quickly shot down by another tipster, who countered that Apple was encountering problems in applying the SMT process to the iPhone Ultra's PCB, but the issue was not expected to derail Apple's planned fall launch timeline for the foldable.
Do note that Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) allows for the placement of electronic components directly onto the surface of a PCB. Instead of leveraging thin wires to connect each individual component to the PCB, the technology places all relevant components onto the board's connection pads, where a solder paste then forms a mechanical and electrical connection between the components and the PCB when cured via the application of heat.
Now, an Asian publication has come forward with a striking report, quoting 2 key Apple supply chain partners to suggest that the iPhone Ultra might only hit store shelves in early 2027.
The publication has quoted the CEO of Largan Precision, who hinted recently that "scheduling factors" might push the launch of an upcoming Apple device to "early next year," spurring speculation that the device in question is indeed the iPhone Ultra, especially as the fall debut timeline for the iPhone 18 Pro duo remains intact.
Of course, Apple might well unveil the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September, but only launch the foldable iPhone in early 2027. Given TSMC's choked 2nm lines and the concurrent chronic shortage of memory resources, such a staggered product launch cadence makes eminent sense for Apple.
What's more, the report reveals that the iPhone Ultra will start retailing for $2,000, with its most premium variant bearing a price tag of $2,200.
We already know that the iPhone Ultra will sport Samsung's M14 OLED panels, a dedicated vapor chamber, and a crease-less design, achieved via the copious use of UTG/UFG (Ultra-Thin Glass/Ultra-Thin Flexible Glass), replete with reduced thickness around the hinge area to reduce stress, the application of a Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) to further reduce the display's thickness, and the employment of a flexible adhesive between various display layers. The foldable's intricate hinge mechansim, which doubles as a heat sink, will also aid in reducing the display's crease.
The iPhone Ultra will be powered by the A20 Pro chip, and sport a 12GB RAM as well as Apple's in-house C2 modem. It will not feature Face ID, relying instead on the Touch ID for biometric unlocking.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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