[Digital Today reporter Yoonseo Lee] Apple’s first foldable iPhone, widely referred to as the “iPhone Ultra,” may face severe supply shortages early in its launch.

9to5Mac reported on July 5 that supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (밍치궈) expects very limited initial supply even if Apple unveils the iPhone Ultra in September.

The key is initial volume. Kuo estimated Apple could produce up to 8 million foldable iPhones by the end of this year, with third-quarter volume limited to as many as 1 million units. In that case, shipments could be pushed back by 1 to 2 months, as with the iPhone X, rather than moving directly into sales after a September unveiling.

The device may also be hard to obtain soon after launch. Delivery wait times could extend to 4 to 6 weeks or longer, and supply could remain tight until at least December, a forecast said. That would mean it could be difficult to buy it immediately in stores even after sales begin.

The expected price range was similar to earlier forecasts. The iPhone Ultra could be priced between $2,300 and $2,500. As Apple’s first foldable model, it is likely to be positioned as an ultra-high-priced product distinct from the regular iPhone lineup.

More details on specifications are also emerging. The device is expected to have a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display. When unfolded, it could be less than 5 mm thick, and a forecast that it could be thinner than the iPhone Air also held.

If early shortages persist, resale prices could also rise. Kuo said the iPhone Ultra could trade at prices 50 to 100 percent higher than its retail price. He added that early interest and supply constraints are expected to ease around the first quarter of 2027.

For Apple, this launch is expected to be a first test of entering the foldable market, beyond a simple new product unveiling. Early on, supply constraints are likely to be a bigger variable than the scale of demand. That could mean clearer evidence of actual demand for a foldable iPhone may emerge only after that point.

In the industry, Apple is expected to use its first foldable iPhone to gauge new demand in the premium smartphone market. Still, analysis suggests that the early performance is likely to be assessed more by waiting demand and market reaction than by sales volumes, as high prices coincide with limited initial supply.

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