iPhone Ultra Report Reveals Pricing and Release Window
▼ Summary
– Apple’s foldable iPhone, possibly called iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold, will be announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models but ship later, likely a few weeks after the September event.
– The delay mirrors the 2017 iPhone 8 and iPhone X launch, where the iPhone X shipped in November after a simultaneous announcement, though the gap may be smaller this time.
– Mass production of the iPhone 18 Pro models is further along than the iPhone Ultra due to the Ultra’s more advanced foldable design and hinge.
– The iPhone Ultra is expected to be expensive, with prices potentially reaching up to $2,500 depending on configuration.
– Apple is producing significantly fewer iPhone Ultra units than iPhone 18 Pro units, which may help the company catch up on production despite the later start.
Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone is set to debut this fall, but a fresh report suggests eager buyers may need to exercise patience and prepare their wallets for a significant investment. According to a report from Macworld, the device,referred to as the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold,will be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup but won’t ship until later in the year. The publication cites anonymous “sources familiar with Apple’s supply chain,” indicating that production of the iPhone 18 Pro models is more advanced than that of the Ultra.
The report draws a parallel to the 2017 launch of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. Both were announced simultaneously, but while the iPhone 8 hit shelves a week later as usual, the iPhone X didn’t reach customers until November. Today’s report notes that the delay for the iPhone Ultra might not be as severe, but it still signals a staggered rollout.
The iPhone 18 Pro models are already further along in mass production, with minimal design changes from the current generation. The Ultra, however, trails behind due to its more complex engineering, particularly the foldable display and hinge mechanism. This doesn’t necessarily mean Apple will announce the Ultra at a later event, but it strongly suggests that only the iPhone 18 Pro will be available immediately after the company’s September keynote, with the Ultra following a few weeks later.
In April, Bloomberg reported that Apple was “operating with a plan” to release the foldable iPhone either alongside or “very soon after” the iPhone 18 Pro models, though the timeline was not finalized and could shift.
On pricing, the report reinforces earlier expectations that the iPhone Ultra will be costly. “While details about the final price are still somewhat unclear, our sources believe prices for the iPhone Ultra could reach as high as $2,500, depending on the configuration,” the story states. The high cost is largely attributed to the foldable screen and hinge technology.
9to5Mac’s Take
It’s worth noting that Apple is producing significantly more iPhone 18 Pro units than Ultra units. The foldable will be a premium, low-volume device. So while the Ultra’s production is behind schedule, catching up may not be difficult given the smaller scale.
Are you planning to snap up an iPhone Ultra this fall? What’s your budget for it? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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(Source: 9to5Mac)
