Apple iPhone Ultra looks on track for September launch after overcoming major hurdle

A new report says Apple has finalised key specifications for its foldable iPhone Ultra and may begin mass production by the end of July. The update suggests a September unveiling is possible, even as some reports point to a later retail release.

In Short

• Apple reportedly finalises foldable iPhone Ultra for production
• Hinge issues appear largely resolved ahead of launch
• September debut now looks increasingly likely for Apple

Apple surprised many users last year with the introduction of the iPhone Air, its ultra-slim smartphone. Now, attention is shifting to what could be the company's next major hardware milestone, its first foldable iPhone. For months, rumours and leaks have revealed details about the device's specifications. Now, a new report has shed light on its production timeline.

According to a report from The Elec, Apple has finalised the key specifications of the foldable iPhone, which is reportedly expected to launch as the iPhone Ultra. The report claims the device is set to enter mass production by the end of July, suggesting that Apple's long-rumoured foldable phone could be on track for a September debut.

The hinge may no longer be a problem

The development is particularly notable because there were earlier reports suggesting Apple could delay the launch due to issues with the hinge mechanism. The Elec cites an official from the Taiwanese industry who said that slight noises were detected from the hinge during durability testing. However, the source reportedly claimed that most of those issues have now been resolved.

The report further states that the iPhone Ultra has passed the final verification stage, indicating that development is progressing as planned.

Production preparations reportedly complete

According to the report, Apple has approved shipments of foldable display units manufactured by Samsung Display. Preparations for mass production are also said to be complete up to the module stage.

Meanwhile, the hinge for the upcoming foldable iPhone is reportedly being designed and supplied by Taiwan's Hsinchu Hsing and the US-based Amphenol. With production preparations reportedly in place, the device appears to be moving closer to launch.

Will it launch in September?

The latest report suggests Apple could unveil the foldable iPhone Ultra at its September event, where the company is also expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, not everyone is convinced that sales will begin immediately.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in March that the foldable iPhone might not launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. Separately, Barclays analyst Tim Long predicted that shipments may not begin until December, potentially creating a gap of several months between the launch announcement and retail availability.

Reports of challenges surfaced earlier

There have been occasional reports suggesting that Apple's first foldable device encountered engineering hurdles as development entered its final stages. In May, leaker Instant Digital claimed the foldable iPhone was still facing durability concerns related to its hinge mechanism. While Apple was said to have largely resolved issues surrounding display creasing, the report suggested that the hinge had not yet met the company's long-term reliability standards.

Such reports attracted attention because Apple is known for imposing strict durability requirements on entirely new product categories.

What could the foldable iPhone offer?

Rumours suggest Apple's first foldable phone could feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display. The device is also expected to be powered by the A20 chip and C2 modem. Other reported features include a Touch ID-enabled power button instead of Face ID, along with a dual rear camera setup.

As for pricing, the foldable iPhone is rumoured to cost around $2,000 (around Rs 1,88,000).

- Ends