Apple has raised its production target for the first foldable iPhone to around 10 million units, in a sign of its confidence in the device's ability to achieve a strong market presence, despite expectations that its price will exceed $2,500 at launch.
اضافة اعلان
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Nikkei Asia reported that Apple has asked its suppliers to prepare to produce about 10 million foldable phones during the year, compared to previous estimates of 7 to 8 million units.
According to the report, the company also plans to produce about 70 million units of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, bringing the total new iPhone orders for the second half of 2026 to about 80 million units, while the total production target during the year reaches 220 million devices, compared to IDC's forecast that Apple shipments may approach 240 million phones in 2026.
The report added that Apple has asked some of its suppliers to reserve common components between the iPhone 17 series and the new generation of iPhone 18 phones, in an attempt to secure supplies as some electronic components continue to be shortaged.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone, which is expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, during its annual event in September, with the foldable phone likely to hit the market shortly after the launch of the Pro models.
IDC estimates that the average selling price of the phone will be around $2,500, while some versions with higher storage capacities could reach $3,000, making it the most expensive smartphone In the company's history.
The leaks talk about a device that adopts a foldable design in the shape of a book, with an internal 7.8-inch screen and a 5.5-inch external screen, along with a new hinge and ultra-thin glass to reduce the appearance of screen wrinkles, which is one of the most prominent problems that foldable phones have faced in recent years.
Circulating information also indicates that the phone will use a Touch ID sensor built into the power button instead of Face ID, and will feature a battery with a capacity of between 5000 and 5500 mAh, 12 GB of RAM, and storage options of up to 1 TB. It is expected to feature two rear cameras with a resolution of 48 megapixels each, without a dedicated telephoto lens.
On the software front, Apple is developing iOS 27 to include improvements for foldable devices, including new multitasking features and AI-powered features, in an attempt to take advantage of the big screen and offer a different experience from traditional iPhones.
Although Apple has raised production targets, consumer acceptance of the phone is still a matter of debate. A PhoneArena poll showed that 46.84% of respondents plan to buy an iPhone 18 Pro Max, 31.43% choose an iPhone 18 Pro, only 4.85% are interested in buying an iPhone Ultra, and 16.88% say they do not intend to buy any of the new models.
Analysts say the expected low demand for the foldable phone does not necessarily reflect a rejection of the idea, but rather the reluctance of many users to buy the first generation of a new high-priced product, while waiting for actual usage evaluations before making a purchase decision.
Apple is entering the foldable phone market after years of rivals, led by Samsung, Huawei, and Honor, with a bet that it will combine a new design with an integrated software experience to attract its users, despite the increasing competition in this category.
