Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone may not reach buyers as early as expected, according to supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In his latest industry survey, Kuo reports that suppliers plan to ship fewer than 1 million foldable iPhone units in the third quarter of 2026. That thin initial supply, he says, may push the start of pre-orders and sales into the fourth quarter, accompanied by weeks of delivery delays for people who order early.
Kuo's survey also points to a broader ramp-up over the back half of the year. He estimates that assembly shipments for the foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026 will total roughly 7 to 8 million units.
The picture Kuo paints is one of a cautious, supply-constrained debut rather than a smooth mass-market rollout. Foldable phones are harder to manufacture than conventional slabs, with new hinges and bendable displays that are difficult to produce at scale, and a sub-1-million opening quarter suggests Apple and its partners are still working through those constraints.
It's worth noting these figures come from a single analyst's supplier checks, not from Apple, which has not confirmed the product or a launch date.
Why it matters: A foldable would be Apple's first genuinely new iPhone form factor in years, and any delay or shortage shapes when — and whether — customers can actually get their hands on one.