iPhone Ultra production reportedly limited to just a few hundred units per day

Apple’s first foldable iPhone could be extremely difficult to get hold of at launch, with production of the rumored iPhone Ultra reportedly running at only a few hundred units per day as recently as late August.

As reported by AppleInsider, citing supply-chain information from Nikkei Asia, Apple’s strict quality-control requirements are said to be limiting the number of devices that currently make it through production.

The issue is reportedly not a shortage of components. Instead, Apple is said to be demanding particularly high production yields around areas including the flatness of the folding display and the performance of the hinge, two of the most technically challenging parts of the device.

Those checks are said to have delayed full commercial production by several weeks, leaving suppliers under pressure to increase output ahead of the launch. Apple and its manufacturing partners are reportedly working to improve yields quickly enough to avoid severe shortages when the device goes on sale.

Previous reports suggested Apple had increased its planned iPhone Ultra order to around 10 million units for the year after earlier trial-production issues appeared to have been resolved. If daily output remained in the hundreds for long, however, hitting that target would require a major acceleration in production.

The timing is particularly tight with Apple’s September event now only days away. The Apple Post recently reported that the iPhone Ultra is expected to be one of the headline products at Apple’s September 9 ‘Surprise and shine’ event, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

The foldable model is expected to use a book-style design, opening to reveal a larger display of roughly 7.8 inches while retaining a smaller outer screen for use when closed. Rumors also point to Apple’s A20 Pro chip, C2 modem, Touch ID in the side button and a dual-camera system.

Apple is believed to have placed particular emphasis on minimizing the display crease and keeping the device exceptionally thin, both of which could be contributing to the tougher manufacturing tolerances suppliers are now facing.

The Apple Post has a full recap of everything currently expected from the iPhone Ultra, including its rumored design, displays, cameras, A20 Pro chip and pricing.

Pricing could also make early demand difficult to predict. A recent report suggested higher-storage iPhone Ultra configurations could push beyond $3,000, making it by far the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold.

If production remains constrained after launch, availability could become one of the biggest stories surrounding Apple’s first foldable iPhone, particularly during the opening weeks of sales.