Apple’s first foldable iPhone, rumoured to be called the iPhone Ultra, could be delayed until early 2027, according to a new report from Chinese publication UDN. Citing sources in the supply chain at Largen Precision, a Taiwanese lens manufacturer and Apple partner, the report suggests that a device believed to be the iPhone Ultra has been moved to next year. Largen Precision’s chief executive Lin Enping stated that “some new opportunities will be announced in the third quarter, and some will be moved to the beginning of next year,” without naming Apple directly.
The iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a book-style design, unfolding into a tablet-sized display similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold range. It would likely be priced at $1,999 (£1,500). However, the release date has been subject to speculation for years. In 2021, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a 2024 launch, later revising it to 2026 due to manufacturing challenges, particularly eliminating the crease.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has suggested a phased launch strategy, with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max arriving in September 2026, and the foldable iPhone potentially launching later. Barclays analyst Tim Long claimed in March 2026 that the foldable would launch alongside the Pro models in September but ship in December, a strategy Apple used with the iPhone X.
Despite the latest delay rumours, Gurman stated on April 7 that the device is still on track for a September announcement, though shipments could slip. The first iOS 27 developer beta, released on June 9, contained code that could determine folding states and angle degrees, as well as references to a secondary display and additional sensors, marking Apple’s biggest hint at the foldable yet.
Apple has been working on a foldable iPhone since at least 2021, when Bloomberg reported early internal testing of prototype foldable displays. The company’s WWDC keynote also highlighted “app adaptability” to help developers design for various screen sizes, further indicating preparation for a foldable device.
