Overview
- Multiple supply‑chain reports published this week say Apple told suppliers to prepare about 10 million foldable iPhones for 2026, up from prior 7–8 million forecasts.
- Those reports say Apple has already reserved components for roughly 80 million new iPhones for the second half of 2026 and expects total iPhone production for the year to top about 220 million units.
- Analysts project the foldable will be a premium device with an average selling price near $2,500 and higher‑capacity models potentially approaching $3,000, which would make it Apple’s most expensive iPhone to date.
- Supply sources and industry outlets report that earlier hinge and assembly engineering problems have largely been solved, making a September announcement likely though initial shipments may be limited and mass ramping could come later in the year.
- The production push reflects Apple using its purchasing power to secure scarce memory and other parts as competitors cut targets, and it could shift Apple’s product timing with some standard iPhone models delayed into 2027.