Apple might not release its first foldable smartphone everywhere at the same time. While fans are eager to see the new device, a well-known Chinese tipster claims that the upcoming iPhone Ultra could face a delayed launch in mainland China. The rumor suggests the brand simply does not have enough units ready to go, forcing a regional rollout instead of a massive global drop.
Initial inventory limits will force a staggered regional phone rollout
The tipster, who goes by Instant Digital on the Weibo platform, shared that initial stock for the new foldable is quite low. Because of this limited supply, the hardware maker has to carefully decide where to ship the first batches. This claim lines up with a recent report out of Japan, which said the manufacturer was only managing to build a few hundred units a day in late August.
It seems that strict quality control standards for the hinge and folding screen are slowing down the assembly lines. While the company reportedly ordered around ten million units for this year, durability tests are simply taking longer than expected. An older report from Australia also hinted at a staggered release over several months, meaning the new iPhone might only be available in the United States at first. This would look a lot like how the Vision Pro rolled out to buyers earlier this year.
Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer
Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.
The upcoming hardware event will clear up any lingering rumors
However, not everyone agrees with this delay theory. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman stated he does not believe there are massive supply chain issues holding things back. He expects the device to launch right alongside the normal Pro models.
We will find out the truth very soon at its surprise and shine hardware event on September 9, where it should reveal its official launch plans. If the stock really is that low, buyers in China and other regions might be waiting a bit longer to get their hands on one.
Discussion