Our Top Pick: The First Foldable iPhone Ultra, But Expect a Tough Hunt
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is a high‑priced flagship smartphone with a book‑style design, advanced hinge and glass technology to reduce the crease, and an inner display large enough for side‑by‑side multitasking, but buyers face limited production, delayed sales, and a likely foldable iPhone supply shortage throughout late 2026. For most people eyeing this launch, the clear recommendation is to buy the first foldable iPhone Ultra—if you can get one. It offers Apple’s most distinctive hardware in years, with a passport‑style form factor and a 7.8‑inch internal display plus side‑by‑side multitasking support. The expected price of roughly USD 2,300–2,500 (approx. RM10,580–RM11,520) targets committed early adopters, not casual upgraders. According to Ming‑Chi Kuo, only 0.5–1 million units will be assembled in Q3, versus 20–22 million iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max units. That imbalance means mainstream buyers should plan around an iPhone shortage 2026 rather than assume normal launch‑day stock.
Launch Timing: Why the Foldable Will Trail the iPhone 18
You should treat the Apple foldable launch date as a two‑step event: announcement first, real buying opportunity later. The foldable is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in September, but limited early production could push pre‑orders and retail availability into the fourth quarter. This staggered schedule mirrors the iPhone X, which was announced in September while sales began weeks later once inventory built up. Engineering challenges around the complex hinge and dual‑layer glass structure designed to minimize the display crease are a key reason for the delay. Practically, that means you should not expect foldable phone availability to match standard iPhone launches. Even if Apple holds a splashy September event, the realistic window to secure a unit is late in Q4, and the launch rush will collide with constrained assembly, amplifying the iPhone shortage 2026 rather than easing it.
Specs Overview: What You Get for the High Price
If you fight through the foldable iPhone supply shortage, you are getting a cutting‑edge device, not a niche experiment. Reports point to a book‑style design with a 5.3‑inch outer display and a 7.6–7.8‑inch inner display for side‑by‑side multitasking. Apple is working on a dual‑layer glass structure and a liquid metal hinge to make the inner crease almost invisible and improve durability. The chassis is rumored to use a titanium frame with an aluminum alloy body, a thin profile around 4.5mm unfolded and 9–9.5mm folded, a dual‑cell battery close to 5,000 mAh, two rear cameras, and a front camera usable in both folded and unfolded modes. Touch ID integrated into the power button is expected to replace Face ID, and the A20 Pro chipset should power Siri AI and Apple Intelligence features. At USD 2,300–2,500 (approx. RM10,580–RM11,520), you are paying for ambitious hardware and first‑generation exclusivity.
| Spec | Foldable iPhone Ultra | Typical iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Outer display size | 5.3-inch | Standard phone-sized (not foldable) |
| Inner display size | 7.6–7.8-inch book-style | Single flat display |
| Form factor | Passport-style, foldable | Slab smartphone |
| Hinge/crease tech | Liquid metal hinge, dual-layer glass to reduce crease | No hinge; standard glass |
| Biometrics | Touch ID in power button, no Face ID | Face ID typical |
| Estimated battery design | Dual-cell around 5,000 mAh | Single-cell, smaller capacity |
| Chipset | A20 Pro with Siri AI/Apple Intelligence support | A20 Pro family |
Supply Shortages Through Late 2026
The biggest buying risk is not the hardware; it is the foldable iPhone supply shortage that will stretch past launch. Third‑quarter assembly shipments are estimated at only 500,000–1 million units, while iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will hit 20–22 million units over the same period. Total foldable shipments in the second half of 2026 are forecast at roughly 7–8 million units, far below past flagship releases. Analysts expect the device to sell out as soon as pre‑orders open, with delivery estimates rapidly slipping to four to six weeks or longer through December. Limited supply and distinctive design may support resale prices 50–100 percent above retail. Supply constraints may persist longer than typical Apple product launches; it may take late 2026 through the first quarter of 2027 before production runs at full speed and demand levels become clear.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the foldable iPhone Ultra if you are prepared to chase pre-orders the moment they open, accepting long delivery times.
- Skip the foldable iPhone Ultra if you expect normal launch-day availability and dislike waiting weeks or months for a phone.
- Buy the foldable iPhone Ultra if the passport-style design and 7.6–7.8-inch inner display for multitasking are worth the premium price to you.
- Skip the foldable iPhone Ultra if the expected USD 2,300–2,500 (approx. RM10,580–RM11,520) price is beyond your budget or feels excessive for a first-generation device.
- Buy the foldable iPhone Ultra if you want to experience Apple’s earliest take on liquid metal hinge and dual-layer glass tech, even with potential supply hassles.
- Skip the foldable iPhone Ultra if you prefer to wait until late 2026 or early 2027, when the iPhone shortage 2026 is likely to ease and production stabilizes.
