Apple Starts Mass Production of Foldable iPhone Ultra for China
Photo: TechNode
Quick answer
Apple has started mass production of the foldable iPhone Ultra, with an initial shipment of approximately 1 million units planned for the Chinese market.
Apple has officially launched mass production of its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra. Supply chain sources indicate that contract manufacturer Foxconn is expanding its workforce to assemble the new device, confirming Apple’s serious intentions to enter the foldable device market.
According to Chinese blogger Dingjiao Digital, the initial batch of iPhone Ultra units for the Chinese market will exceed 1 million devices. This is significantly lower than the shipment volumes of Huawei’s comparable triple-folding screen device. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that in Q3 of this year, when the new device is expected to debut, shipments will total just 500,000 to 1 million units.
By the end of 2026, Apple plans to increase production volumes to 7–8 million units. However, at launch, the foldable iPhone Ultra will account for only about 10% of the total shipments of flagship models. For comparison, combined shipments of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in Q3 are forecasted at 20–22 million units.
Common questions
- When is the iPhone Ultra expected to launch?
- The iPhone Ultra is expected to hit the market in Q3 of this year, with initial shipments being limited.
- What production volumes are planned for the iPhone Ultra?
- The first batch for the Chinese market is estimated at 1 million units. By the end of 2026, Apple plans to produce 7–8 million units.
- How does the iPhone Ultra compare to competitors?
- Initial shipment volumes for the iPhone Ultra will be significantly lower than flagship Apple models and Huawei's foldable smartphones. For example, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to ship 20–22 million units.
Dzen feed: /feed/dzen.xml · RSS: /feed.xml