The iPhone Ultra, Apple's first foldable phone, may start at a price not less than 80,000 baht, with production orders of about 10 million units, and is likely to be launched this September.
Nikkei Asia reported that Apple has instructed suppliers to prepare production of the iPhone Ultra at 10 million units, up from the original target of 7–8 million units.
The increase of 2–3 million units reflects Apple's confidence in strong demand for its first foldable iPhone, despite a starting price of $2,500 USD (over 80,000 baht) and up to $3,000 USD (nearly 100,000 baht) for the highest capacity model.
The report also states that Apple will produce a combined total of 70 million units of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, bringing total new iPhone production in the second half of 2026 to around 80 million units.
Including full-year figures, production is expected to reach 220 million units, close to IDC’s forecast that Apple will ship nearly 240 million iPhones throughout 2026.
Apple has also informed some suppliers to prepare for orders as high as 85 million units in the second half of the year.
Apple plans to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra in September 2026, with the iPhone Ultra possibly becoming available shortly after the Pro models but still within the same year.
The standard iPhone 18 is expected to be delayed to early next year, or at the latest May 2027, meaning the iPhone 17 will remain on the market for up to 18 months instead of the usual 12, similar to the iPhone Air launched in September 2025, which is anticipated to receive an upgraded version between March and May 2027.
The report also notes that Apple is expediting memory component sourcing amid a shortage crisis, having instructed suppliers to stockpile parts in advance.