Apple Prepares 10M Foldable iPhones Amid 2027 Production Push

Apple is scaling up its production plans for its inaugural foldable iPhone, currently dubbed the iPhone Ultra, with reports indicating a build target of 10 million units for the 2026-2027 cycle. The company has reportedly informed suppliers that it expects stable production after resolving earlier design challenges, particularly regarding the device's hinge mechanism. The expected arrival of this book-style foldable, featuring a 7.8-inch internal display and the advanced A20 chip, marks Apple’s intent to secure a dominant position in the premium smartphone category.

This pivot toward foldable hardware occurs as the industry grapples with a global component supply crunch, with Apple leveraging its bargaining power to secure high-end materials and chips. Initial leaks suggest a premium pricing strategy, with estimates ranging from $2,500 to $3,000. Such price points place the foldable device significantly above the standard iPhone 18 Pro Max, raising questions about consumer adoption for a first-generation product that may sacrifice advanced features like Face ID in favor of internal power-button-based authentication.

Apple's entry into the foldable market is a strategic effort to capture market share and diversify its hardware ecosystem through 2027. The company's total order targets for new iPhone models are reaching nearly 85 million units for the latter half of 2026, totaling roughly 220 million for the full year. For the Indian market, this development signals a sustained push toward high-end luxury tech, with the broader AI boom continuing to influence pricing pressures across the global consumer electronics landscape as manufacturers scramble to integrate new infrastructure and features.