Apple could launch the iPhone Ultra in the US before other countries as the company deals with limited supply, production testing and pricing issues ahead of its first foldable iPhone release. The device is still expected to appear alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September, although buyers outside the US may have to wait longer.
ChannelNews Australia reports that local carriers and a major retailer do not expect the foldable iPhone to arrive when the rest of the iPhone 18 lineup reaches Australia. According to the report, Apple plans to start with limited US availability before expanding into China and other major markets over the following months.
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The report also claims Apple continues to face supply and testing problems with production units, while pricing remains another concern as the company prepares a device expected to cost more than $2,000. Limited production would make a wider launch difficult if Apple cannot build enough units before release.
iPhone Ultra supply could shape Apple’s launch plans
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said Apple plans to unveil the foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, although pre-orders for the Ultra are expected to begin later. Kuo also expects suppliers to ship only around 7 million to 8 million foldable iPhones during 2026, which would leave Apple with far fewer units than it normally has for a major iPhone launch.
Apple has used a similar regional rollout before with Vision Pro, which launched in the US first before reaching other countries several months later. A limited iPhone Ultra launch would therefore fit Apple’s past approach when production remains constrained.
The US-only launch claim has not been confirmed, so Apple could still announce a broader rollout in September. However, current production estimates make a staggered release increasingly plausible as the expected unveiling gets closer.
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