Key Highlights
- Apple could unveil the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro this September.
- The foldable iPhone may reach stores a few weeks after the Pro models.
- A new report suggests pricing could go as high as $2,500.
- The expected India price could exceed ₹2.3 lakh, making it Apple’s most expensive iPhone yet.
Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone may finally debut this fall, but buyers could have to wait longer to get their hands on it. A new supply chain report suggests the iPhone Ultra will likely be announced with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September. However, shipments may begin several weeks later. The report also claims the foldable flagship could cost up to $2,500, putting its expected India price well above ₹2.3 lakh.
If accurate, the iPhone Ultra would become the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever launched.
Why Could the iPhone Ultra Launch Later?
According to the report, Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro models are already further along in mass production than the iPhone Ultra.
The delay is reportedly linked to the foldable iPhone’s more complex engineering. Unlike the iPhone 18 Pro, the Ultra features a foldable display and an advanced hinge mechanism, both of which require additional manufacturing time.
The report compares the situation with Apple’s 2017 launch strategy. That year, Apple unveiled the iPhone 8 and iPhone X together. While the iPhone 8 reached stores within days, the iPhone X shipped several weeks later because of production challenges.
This time, however, the shipping gap may be much shorter.
How Much Could the iPhone Ultra Cost?
The biggest talking point is the expected price.
Supply chain sources believe Apple could price the iPhone Ultra as high as $2,500, depending on the storage configuration. The premium pricing is largely attributed to the foldable OLED display, sophisticated hinge design, and lower production volumes.
Apple is expected to manufacture significantly fewer iPhone Ultra units than standard iPhone 18 Pro models. That limited production could also help maintain the device’s premium positioning.
What Could Be the India Price?
While Apple has not confirmed any pricing, a $2,500 starting price translates to roughly ₹2.15 lakh based on current exchange rates.
However, Apple products in India typically cost more after import duties, GST, and local pricing adjustments.
As a result, the iPhone Ultra could launch in India at around ₹2.35 lakh to ₹2.6 lakh, depending on the variant. If that happens, it would comfortably surpass the current iPhone Pro Max as Apple’s costliest smartphone in the country.
The final India price will depend on Apple’s official pricing strategy and any changes to import duties before launch.
What Should Buyers Expect?
Bloomberg previously reported that Apple was targeting a launch alongside or shortly after the iPhone 18 Pro series. The latest report supports that timeline while suggesting availability could be staggered because production is still ramping up.
Although mass production of the iPhone Ultra appears to be behind schedule, Apple is expected to manufacture far fewer foldable models. That could allow the company to catch up before the holiday shopping season.
Conclusion
The latest leak paints a clearer picture of Apple’s foldable ambitions. If the report proves accurate, the phone will not only introduce Apple’s first foldable iPhone but also set a new benchmark for premium smartphone pricing. With an expected India price exceeding ₹2.3 lakh and shipments likely following the iPhone 18 Pro by a few weeks, the iPhone Ultra is already shaping up to be one of the biggest smartphone launches of the year.
