According to Ming-Chi Kuo - a technology analyst at TF International Securities (China), Apple is likely to launch the first folding screen iPhone model at the same time as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but pre-order opening may take place later due to production difficulties.
Mr. Kuo said that Apple may repeat the strategy previously applied to iPhone X in 2017. At that time, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus were opened for pre-orders just a few days after the launch, while iPhone X had to wait about six more weeks to start receiving orders.
If a similar plan is applied, the folding screen iPhone is expected to still be introduced in September 2026, but users will not be able to order the device until the fourth quarter, at the earliest October.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the reason is that the initial output of folding screen iPhones is still limited due to challenges in the production process.
This analyst also predicts that the model, rumored to be named iPhone Ultra, will have a starting price of about 2,299-2,499 USD in the US.
He believes that products can quickly fall into a "sold out" situation after opening pre-orders, with delivery times extending from 4-6 weeks or longer.
It is estimated that Apple's partners will ship about 7-8 million folding screen iPhones in 2026, much lower than about 20-22 million units of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max duo.
