Apple Orders 10 Million Foldable iPhones for 2026 Launch as iPhone 18 Lineup Expands
Updated
Updated · Yahoo · Jul 6
Apple Orders 10 Million Foldable iPhones for 2026 Launch as iPhone 18 Lineup Expands
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo · Jul 6
Summary
Apple has told suppliers to prepare 10 million foldable iPhones this year, Nikkei reported, signaling a production ramp ahead of a planned launch with the iPhone 18 family.
At least five new iPhone models are expected between the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027, with the foldable likely joining updated versions of Apple’s four existing handset tiers.
September 2026 is seen as the debut window for the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and foldable model, though the foldable could get a later preorder date because of limited early production.
March 2027 could bring the base iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and a second-generation Air model, marking a break from Apple’s usual practice of releasing the standard iPhone alongside Pro models.
Pricing remains uncertain, but the foldable is widely expected to top $2,000 as memory and storage costs rise across the tech industry.
As the AI boom consumes global chip supply, is Apple's new strategy to sell you a less powerful iPhone?
Will Apple's first foldable phone redefine the market, or is its staggering $2,000 price the main story?
Beyond its $2,000 folding phone, is Apple's biggest gamble its new chip manufacturing partnership with Intel?
Apple’s 2026-2027 iPhone Roadmap: Foldable iPhone Ultra, iPhone 18 Pro Series, and the Strategic Shift in Launch Cycles
Overview
Apple is set to reshape its premium smartphone lineup in late 2026 with the launch of the Foldable iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro series, aiming to capture market attention with innovative designs and useful upgrades. The Foldable iPhone Ultra stands out for its versatile form factor, meeting the demand for compact yet expansive screens and competing in the growing foldable market. Meanwhile, standard iPhone 18 models will arrive later with only minor updates, leading many consumers to stick with the iPhone 17. This staggered launch, influenced by global memory market volatility and supply chain challenges, is expected to impact pricing, trade-ins, and the used phone market.