iPhone Ultra release date may slip to early 2027 as foldable iPhone price rumors climb
Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone may not arrive as soon as many fans expected. New supply chain reports from Taiwan suggest that the device, often referred to as the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold, is unlikely to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September. Instead, Apple’s first foldable iPhone could reach the market several months later, potentially in early 2027.
If the latest information is accurate, Apple may still preview or announce the foldable iPhone during its usual September event, but actual sales could begin closer to January or February 2027. That timing would place the iPhone Ultra directly against the next wave of premium Android flagships, including the expected Galaxy S27 Ultra.
The biggest talking point, however, may be the price. The iPhone Fold is rumored to become the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released. Reports suggest the entry-level model could start at around $2,000, while a higher-storage version may climb to approximately $2,200.
That would put Apple’s foldable device far above the current Pro Max pricing. For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max reportedly starts at $1,199 in the United States. A $2,000 starting price would make the foldable iPhone roughly 66% more expensive than Apple’s top traditional flagship model.
In Europe, the price could be even more eye-catching. If Apple applies a similar premium over the existing Pro Max pricing structure, the iPhone Fold could land at around €2,400 or more in some markets. While that would place it firmly in luxury-device territory, Apple may be betting that its loyal customer base and polished foldable design will justify the cost.
The rumored delay is not entirely surprising. Reports of development challenges surrounding Apple’s first foldable iPhone have circulated for months. Foldable devices are complex to build, especially when it comes to display durability, hinge reliability, battery optimization, and software adaptation. Apple is known for entering product categories later than rivals, often waiting until it believes the technology is mature enough for a mainstream audience.
For Apple, the stakes are high. A foldable iPhone would be one of the company’s most significant hardware launches in years. It would also mark Apple’s first direct move into the foldable smartphone market, a segment that has grown steadily but has not yet reached the scale of traditional premium smartphones.
Despite the expected high price, analysts cited in the reports believe Apple could quickly become a major force in the foldable market. One market research estimate suggests Apple may capture around 30% of the foldable phone segment and sell up to 11 million units by 2027.
That forecast may sound ambitious, but Apple has a history of reshaping categories once it enters them. The company did not create the first smartwatch, wireless earbuds, or tablet, but its versions helped push those products into the mainstream. A foldable iPhone could have a similar effect if Apple delivers a refined design, strong battery life, reliable durability, and software features that make the folding format feel genuinely useful.
Still, the information remains unofficial. Apple has not confirmed the iPhone Ultra, iPhone Fold, pricing, launch window, or specifications. As with all supply chain rumors, plans can change before the final product reaches consumers.
For now, the message is clear: Apple’s first foldable iPhone may be coming later than expected, and it may arrive with a price tag unlike anything seen before in the iPhone lineup. If the rumored early 2027 launch window holds true, the iPhone Ultra could become one of the most closely watched smartphone releases of the decade.
