Rumored iPhone Ultra Challenges Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra as Foldables Top $2,099

Q: With severe supply shortages rumored, will Apple's long-awaited foldable iPhone actually reach consumers this year or remain an elusive prototype?

Apple’s foldable iPhone is likely to be unveiled this year, but many consumers may not be able to buy one immediately. The strongest reporting points to a September 9 debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, and several supply-chain reports say the device has entered mass production. Apple has reportedly told suppliers to prepare roughly 10 million units this year, up from earlier forecasts of 7 million to 8 million, which suggests the project is beyond the prototype stage. The problem is availability, not existence. Multiple analyst and supply-chain reports indicate production is ramping more slowly than for a standard iPhone, with output reportedly 30% to 40% below Apple’s usual monthly pace. Hinge and yield challenges appear to have improved, but not enough to guarantee broad launch-day supply. That raises the likelihood of an iPhone X-style rollout: announced in September, sold later in the quarter, and hard to find at first. So the most realistic expectation is a staggered release. Apple appears likely to show the foldable this year and begin limited sales in late 2026, possibly October or later, with wider availability slipping toward the holiday season or even early 2027 in some markets. Severe shortages could make the phone effectively elusive for ordinary buyers at launch, even if it is officially on sale. In short, it no longer looks like just a lab concept. It looks like a real 2026 product with very constrained early supply.

3 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · Aug 31

Apple’s rumored foldable could arrive within days with a wider 4:3 design, a near-crease-free display and a price estimated between $2,000 and $2,500.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra still sets the benchmark on tested hardware, coming in at 4.22mm thick, 7.8 ounces and lasting 14 hours 33 minutes in battery testing.
Camera versatility remains a key edge for Samsung, whose Fold 8 Ultra pairs a 200MP main sensor with ultrawide and 3x telephoto lenses, while leaks point to a dual 48MP setup for Apple.
Software could decide the matchup: Apple may benefit from tighter app scaling on a foldable iOS device, but Samsung already offers four-app multitasking and DeX desktop support.
The comparison underscores how fast the premium foldable race is escalating, with Apple’s expected entry poised to test whether software polish can outweigh Samsung’s mature hardware lead.