Apple Foldable iPhone May Launch in US First With Global Delays

Apple's highly anticipated foldable iPhone, reportedly called the iPhone Ultra, is expected to be unveiled at the company's annual September event but may face a staggered, country-by-country rollout, with the United States receiving the device first. According to reports from industry sources and Australian carriers, international markets could see delays of two to three months due to production bottlenecks and supply constraints.

The device, which has been rumored for years, is set to be announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, sources indicate that while the phone will be previewed on stage, its actual release will not be simultaneous across all markets. The U.S. is slated to be the exclusive initial market, with key regions including China, Australia, Europe, and parts of Asia following in subsequent months.

The primary reason cited for the delayed global availability is a combination of supply and pricing issues. Industry insiders point to production bottlenecks stemming from the complex hinge structure, foldable display durability testing, and tight supplies of DRAM chips. Trial runs with manufacturing partner Foxconn also reportedly led to...