Apple may limit initial iPhone Ultra rollout to the United States, report says
A supply-chain source says Apple could face component, testing and pricing challenges that may restrict the iPhone Ultra launch to the U.S. before expanding to other markets.
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone at a September event, but a Chinese component supplier told ChannelNews Australia that the company is encountering supply, testing and pricing problems that could delay the device’s market release outside the United States. The supplier said the issues are "primarily down to supply and pricing issues" and added that Apple is also facing testing difficulties with production models already built.
Australian carriers and a major retailer have indicated that the new iPhone 18 range, which includes the foldable model, will not appear on local shelves initially. The limited supply is projected to be rolled out in the U.S. first, with later shipments to key markets such as China.
Analysts note that while a US-only launch is plausible as a temporary measure, the report’s timing and reliance on sources in China and Australia raise questions about its certainty. The exact launch date remains unconfirmed, with speculation that Apple may hold the event on September 9 rather than the previously cited September 8.