It might be really hard to get an iPhone Fold at launch

A new report from Digitimes today says that production of Apple’s upcoming iPhone Fold has hit a roadblock. According to “sources within the company’s supply chain,” mass production of the device has slipped from July to August of this year.

Still, Apple is aiming to launch the iPhone Fold in 2026, as Bloomberg also reported last week … but it might be really hard to actually buy one.

iPhone Fold still coming this year despite recent delay

There has been a lot of back-and-forth around the iPhone Fold’s release schedule over the last week. First, Nikkei Asia said Apple had hit significant engineering issues in iPhone Fold development that could “delay the first shipment by months.”

A few hours later, however, Bloomberg squashed those rumors and said Apple’s foldable iPhone is “on track to arrive during the company’s normal iPhone launch period later this year.”

Today’s report from Digitimes corroborates that Apple is facing production hurdles, but stops short of suggesting these are major problems that will impact the iPhone Fold’s release.

The report explains that new iPhones traditionally begin mass production in June, allowing Apple to build up inventory ahead of the September launch. However, iPhone Fold mass production recently shifted from July to August. This will give Apple less time to build up ample inventory to satisfy early demand, which means it could be really hard to get an iPhone Fold at launch.

Reports surrounding the delay have been inconsistent, with some speculation suggesting a much later launch, possibly in 2027. Supply chain sources confirm that mass production has indeed shifted to August, but emphasize that Apple is still aiming for a 2026 introduction, implying a tighter and more compressed production schedule.

Following EVT, the device must still pass through Design Validation Testing (DVT) and Production Validation Testing (PVT) before entering full-scale manufacturing. With EVT already delayed and a fall launch target intact, subsequent stages may face increased time pressure. Whether this compressed schedule introduces additional risks remains to be seen.

9to5Mac’s Take

My takeaway from the recent iPhone Fold drama is that Apple has every intention of announcing and releasing the iPhone Fold alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September. However, I expect the supply of the iPhone Fold to be very limited at launch.

It’s clear Apple has recently hit several speed bumps during the iPhone Fold’s production. Based on reporting from Bloomberg and Digitimes, though, those problems haven’t been severe enough to warrant a major delay. Nikkei Asia seemingly disagrees, but I’m skeptical of that report’s sourcing.

What do you think? Will Apple release the iPhone Fold in September, or will it delay the launch until later this year or 2027? Do you plan to buy the iPhone Fold? Let us know down in the comments.

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