July 3 – NUPIAO has learned from supply chain sources that Apple has dramatically increased its production target for the first foldable iPhone. According to NUPIAO’s info, the company now aims to prepare around 10 million units for this year, up from the widely expected 7–8 million units—a nearly 30% jump. At the same time, Apple has locked in orders for about 80 million new iPhone components to hedge against the ongoing global shortages of memory chips and electronic parts.
Earlier rumors had repeatedly suggested the foldable iPhone might be delayed to 2027 due to hinge yield issues. But the latest supply chain whispers tell a different story: the liquid metal hinge’s strange-noise tolerance problem has been mostly fixed, and the screen crease control now meets Apple’s internal mass-production standards. The overall engineering validation is wrapping up. Based on current progress, mass production of the first foldable iPhone is set to kick off in late July, with Foxconn handling the assembly. Initial output will be prioritized for the launch after the September fall event. However, because of the brand-new structural design, early production yields are still ramping up. So after the fall reveal, only small batches might ship at first, with large-scale deliveries expected in Q4. That 10-million-unit target is planned to cover the sales cycle from late 2026 through early 2027.
Multiple sources indicate that Apple’s first foldable phone is tentatively named iPhone Ultra. It’s going with a horizontal book-style inward fold design. When unfolded, the body is just about 4.5mm thick; when closed, it’s around 9.2mm—making it thinner and lighter than most current Android foldable flagships. As for the screens, the outer display is a 5.5-inch panel without the Dynamic Island, close to a regular iPhone size for quick everyday tasks. The inner screen is a 7.8-inch 4:3 OLED, similar in size to an iPad mini, and supports 1–120Hz LTPO adaptive refresh rate.
Under the hood, it’s powered by the A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process, paired with 12GB of RAM. A titanium alloy frame keeps the weight in check, and it’s IP68 dust and water resistant. Due to internal space constraints, the camera setup is a dual system with a main and an ultra-wide lens—no telephoto lens here. Face ID is gone, replaced by a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button, and the MagSafe magnetic attachment system has also been removed. On the pricing front, most analysts expect the starting price overseas to exceed $2,000, with the Chinese mainland base model likely falling between 14,999 and 15,999 yuan. The top-tier version could break the 20,000-yuan mark, setting a new record for iPhone pricing.
Alongside the foldable iPhone, the iPhone 18 series is also in the works. NUPIAO has learned that Apple is adopting a phased release strategy. At the September fall event this year, only three high-end products will be unveiled: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable model—focusing exclusively on the flagship market. The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and the second-generation iPhone Air will be pushed back to spring 2027. This adjustment is designed to match the ramp-up of the 2nm chip’s initial production capacity, ensuring the high-margin premium models get priority supply.
In terms of specs, both the iPhone 18 Pro series and the foldable will feature the full-blooded A20 Pro chip with 12GB of RAM. The main camera will, for the first time, introduce a physical variable aperture with ten stops from f/1.4 to f/4.0, delivering true optical depth-of-field control and finally saying goodbye to algorithm-simulated bokeh. On the connectivity side, models in some regions will come with Apple’s in-house C2 5G modem, gradually reducing the reliance on Qualcomm, while still supporting Starlink satellite communication. The screen-to-body ratio is bumped up to 94.7%, and the Dynamic Island area shrinks by 35%.
Market research firm Counterpoint forecasts that global foldable smartphone panel orders will grow by about 24% in 2026, with Apple expected to grab a 29% share, second only to Samsung’s 31%. IDC predicts that the average selling price of this foldable iPhone could be as high as $2,500, with higher-storage versions possibly reaching $3,000.
On the domestic front, foldables have moved from early-adopter gadgets to a rapidly growing mainstream category. According to Sigmaintell Consulting, China’s foldable phone shipments in 2026 are expected to reach 12–13 million units, a 20–30% year-on-year increase. Brands like Huawei, OPPO, vivo, and Xiaomi are aggressively filling every price segment—from entry-level models around 3,000 yuan to flagship devices over 10,000 yuan. Apple’s foldable is aimed squarely at the premium tier above 10,000 yuan, so there won’t be direct price competition with domestic players in the short term. But with its brand strength and ecosystem advantages, Apple is likely to attract high-end switchers and help expand the overall foldable market pie.
