In a move that has tech enthusiasts buzzing, Apple has ramped up its production goals for the highly anticipated foldable iPhone Ultra. The company now aims to manufacture 10 million units, a significant increase from its initial plan of 7 to 8 million. This strategic shift indicates Apple's confidence in the potential success of its first foldable model.
Projected Production Totals and Roadmap
Apple is expected to produce a total of 220 million iPhones this year, which includes the iPhone Ultra. Additionally, the tech giant aims to manufacture 70 million units of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Including the 10 million foldable iPhone units scheduled for production in the latter half of 2026, the total iPhone output is set to reach 220 million. However, the release dates for the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are expected to be in the spring.
Market research firm IDC has forecasted that Apple will ship 240 million iPhones within the calendar year. In comparison, the company shipped between 243 million and 247.4 million units in 2025 alone.
Apple's Aggressive Sourcing Strategy
IDC also highlights that Apple is actively sourcing components needed to manufacture 85 million new iPhones in the latter half of the year. Reports indicate that suppliers have been instructed to reserve "common components and parts used in the iPhone 17 series" for the premium iPhone 18 models.
Amidst a shortage of memory and storage chips driven by growing demand for AI data centers, Apple is reportedly pursuing parts aggressively. The company has also sought approval from the White House to procure chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), which, while not on the Commerce Department's Entity List, shares a position on the Chinese Military Company Blacklist. To mitigate risks, Apple deemed it necessary to consult with the Trump Administration before proceeding with the purchase.
Pricing Predictions for the iPhone Ultra
Experts at IDC project that the iPhone Ultra will start at $2,500, with higher storage variants possibly hitting $3,000. This pricing is more elevated than many had anticipated, as other estimates suggested a range of $2,000 to $2,500. Regardless, the iPhone Ultra is poised to become the priciest iPhone model available.
One of the standout features of the iPhone Ultra is expected to be a crease-free design. The launch of this model could also invigorate the overall foldable smartphone market, with analysts predicting a double-digit increase in global foldable phone shipments by Q4 2026 following Apple's entry into this category.
For the first time, Apple is set to influence the foldable smartphone segment significantly, with the iPhone Ultra—a name originated by the media during its long phase of speculation before it became a reality.
Investor Sentiment Soars
The news surrounding Apple's enhanced production plans for the iPhone Ultra has sparked a surge in investor interest. Following the announcement, Apple shares shot up by $14.25, representing a 4.84% gain, bringing the stock price to $308.63. This marked Apple's strongest market performance since it experienced a nearly $18 drop on June 25, when it raised prices on iPads and MacBooks in response to the rising costs of storage and memory chips, resulting in significant losses in market capitalization.
On June 5, 2026, Apple's closing price was its highest since, at $307.34. The company’s next significant milestone will be the release of its fiscal third-quarter earnings report on July 30 at 4 PM EDT. As always, we will keep you informed on how the company performed and how the market reacts post-announcement.
