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Apple iPhone Ultra: Analyst Predicts $2,500 Price and Severe Launch Scarcity

Simon Ellis 0 comments 2 min read

Apple iPhone Ultra launch faces severe supply constraints and high resale markups, with analyst Ming- Chi Kuo forecasting a $2,500 price and limited availability.

Apple iPhone Ultra
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Apple is preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market with a device tentatively called the iPhone Ultra, scheduled for a late 2026 launch. This move introduces a new form factor for the company, but buyers should expect significant hurdles in securing a unit at launch. Analysts predict that initial supply will be extremely tight, creating a scarcity scenario that mirrors the challenges seen with the iPhone X release in 2017. This limited availability means early adopters may face long wait times or be forced to pay premium prices on the secondary market.

Manufacturing hurdles limit initial supply for Apple's first foldable phone

The iPhone Ultra is expected to debut alongside the standard iPhone 18 Pro series and new Apple Watch models in September 2026. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF Securities identifies this as Apple's first foldable iPhone, marking a major shift in the company's hardware strategy. The device is positioned as a premium flagship, distinct from the existing iPhone lineup. Its release timeline is tied to the traditional annual autumn product cycle, aligning with the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12 updates.

Manufacturing complexity is the primary driver behind the projected supply constraints for the iPhone Ultra. Production difficulties are expected to limit the initial output of these foldable devices. Analysts forecast that Apple will sell only 7 to 8 million units during the second half of 2026. This volume is significantly lower than the sales figures achieved by previous iPhone flagship launches. The scarcity is further exacerbated by the high cost of production and the novel nature of the foldable display technology.

The estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price for the iPhone Ultra ranges from $2,300 to $2,500. This high entry price reflects the advanced engineering required for a foldable smartphone form factor. Resellers may capitalize on the limited supply by adding markups of 50 to 100 percent above the MSRP. Buyers looking to purchase the device at launch should budget for these potential secondary market premiums. We've been tracking iPhone Ultra closely — see our earlier coverage on Apple iPhone Ultra 2 Rumored to.

Source: NotebookCheck

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