Apple's foldable iPhone Ultra arrives Sept 9 but faces delayed rollout

Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone, likely called the iPhone Ultra, at its September 9 event alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. Per multiple reports, production issues with the hinge and display mean the device may launch in North America first, with other regions waiting weeks or months. The phone is rumoured to cost between €1,700 and €2,200 ($2,000-$2,600), putting it at the very top of Apple's lineup.

Bottom line — Apple's first foldable, priced above €2,000, bets on premium buyers despite missing Face ID and a telephoto camera.

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• Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the phone is referred to as the 'Ultra' internally and will launch close to the iPhone 18 Pro models, contradicting fears of major delays. Tom's Guide reports Gurman expects a simultaneous or near-simultaneous release.
• Phone Arena and Nikkei Asia report that low yields of the hinge and foldable OLED panels are forcing Apple to stagger the launch, starting only in the US. South Korea may not see the phone until late October.
• The iPhone Ultra is expected to be just 4.5 mm thick when open, according to leaks cited by Macworld and Tom's Guide. To achieve this, Apple is rumoured to replace Face ID with a side-mounted Touch ID sensor and omit the telephoto camera, per NDTV.
• Counterpoint Research analyst David Naranjo told MarketWatch that Apple is focusing on high-end SKUs to maximise revenue amid rising memory costs, which have inflated the bill of materials by nearly 40% year-on-year.
• Morningstar reports that Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring expects a €180 ($200) price increase across the iPhone 18 lineup, citing inelastic demand. Jefferies warns that higher prices could depress overall iPhone sales volume.
• The foldable will reportedly feature a 7.8-inch inner display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, a dual 48MP camera system, and a 5,000–5,500 mAh battery split across two cells, per Tom's Guide and Weibo leakers.
• Case makers are split on the final name: Armor-X and Gorilla list 'iPhone Fold' models, while Burga uses 'iPhone Ultra', according to Tech Advisor. Apple has not confirmed the branding.

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