The iPhone Ultra, Apple’s first foldable iPhone, is facing a slow production ramp ahead of its expected debut next week. According to a new supply chain report, Apple is currently manufacturing only a few hundred units of the device per day, a pace that could make it difficult to meet consumer demand at launch.
Why iPhone Ultra output is so limited
The sluggish production is attributed to Apple’s exacting quality control requirements. Supply chain sources say Apple added an additional trial production run in August to confirm the phone could be mass-produced according to its intended design. That step reportedly pushed back commercial production by several weeks.
Engineers are said to be concentrating on improving production yields for two areas in particular: the surface flatness of the device and the performance of its hinge mechanism. These are common challenges for foldable smartphones, where durability and precision are critical.
To hit its planned targets, Apple would normally need to produce tens of thousands of units each day. At only a few hundred daily, the current rate falls far short of that benchmark, raising the prospect of limited availability when sales begin.
Launch timing and event expectations
Despite the production concerns, some reporting suggests the foldable iPhone will still arrive on schedule. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicated this week that he expects the device to launch at the same time as, or very close to, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Gurman also said he does not believe major delays or supply chain problems are affecting the product at this stage.
Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone Ultra on Wednesday of next week during a special event billed as “Surprise and shine.” The company is rumored to unveil several other products alongside it.
What else Apple may announce
Beyond the iPhone Ultra, the event is expected to include the iPhone 18 Pro models. Additional rumored announcements include AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
The iPhone Ultra marks a significant expansion of Apple’s smartphone lineup, representing the company’s first entry into the foldable category. With production currently limited to a few hundred units per day, early buyers may face constrained supply when the device goes on sale.
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Image: 9to5mac.com
