Apple was reportedly producing several hundred of its first foldable iPhones per day in late August, according to a report on the company’s manufacturing plans. The low-volume run followed another mass-production verification process during August and came weeks before the device’s expected September 9 introduction alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Nikkei Asia published the production details, as first reported by 9to5Mac. Apple’s quality requirements reportedly slowed the factory ramp, with surface flatness and hinge performance receiving particular attention during the latest checks.
Hinge and display testing continue to shape the ramp
Earlier manufacturing bottlenecks centered on hinge construction and display durability. Foxconn’s trial-production work had reportedly resolved earlier problems in those areas, yet Apple conducted another verification round before moving toward broader commercial output.
The extra scrutiny reportedly delayed commercial manufacturing by several weeks. Suppliers were working continuously to lift output and avoid shortages at distribution centers, while a supply-chain source told Nikkei Asia that the first production volume could still fall short of market demand.
Apple had previously increased its reported annual order target from 7 million to 8 million handsets to roughly 10 million. That makes the slow start significant: a limited opening supply could constrain the company’s first attempt to enter the foldable phone category, where the hinge and flexible screen directly affect reliability and customer confidence.
Early availability could be limited
Reports have also described the handset as the iPhone Ultra and suggested Apple could use a phased launch, potentially starting with limited availability in the United States. A restricted regional release would give the company more control over inventory while factories work toward the reported order target.
Apple has not confirmed the reported factory pace, the claimed production delays, or the approximately 10 million-unit order plan. It has also not announced the product’s final name or retail price, and has yet to confirm launch markets and an availability schedule. Whether it can increase output enough to meet demand, and whether the September 9 unveiling and initial sales will proceed as reported, remains unclear.
This article was produced with AI assistance from multi-source reporting and is published under our editorial standards.
