Apple's Foldable iPhone Ultra May Launch First in U.S., Followed by Staggered Rollout

Apple is planning a staggered international rollout for its upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra, with the United States slated to receive the device first. Australian outlet ChannelNews reported that local carriers and a major retailer indicated the phone will not be available alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September, despite being unveiled together. The company is expected to expand availability to key markets such as China within two to three months after the U.S. launch.

The delayed, country-by-country launch is attributed to supply setbacks, pricing concerns, and ongoing testing issues with production units, according to the sources. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the foldable would be unveiled with the iPhone 18 Pro line but that pre-orders would begin later; he now notes that manufacturing challenges have limited early output and may contribute to a staggered release.

Apple has used a similar approach with the Vision Pro headset, which debuted in the U.S. in February 2024 before reaching other regions in June and July. Those delays were linked to low-volume production, retail readiness, and the product’s new category status—factors that could also apply to the foldable iPhone.

Reports suggest production hurdles stem from the device’s hinge mechanism and display durability testing. While trial production at Foxconn reportedly resolved many issues, Apple has reportedly increased its order to about 10 million units, far below Kuo’s forecast of 20-22 million for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The limited volume may make it difficult to supply more than 40 countries on launch day.

The iPhone Ultra’s specifications are expected to include an inner display of roughly 7.7-7.8 inches, a 5.5-inch cover screen, a thickness of about 4.5 mm, and a starting price above $2,000. Apple’s next iPhone event is anticipated for early September.