The parts are expected to be used for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone, the report said.
In addition, Apple has asked suppliers to reserve iPhone 17 components for use in the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup, according to the report.
If the company maintains current pricing for the iPhone 17 series, analysts expect Apple to introduce higher prices with its next-generation foldable iPhone instead.
Rumors suggest the foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch inner display paired with a 5.5-inch outer cover display.
It is widely expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September and could be marketed as the “iPhone Ultra,” according to multiple reports.
Apple is reportedly ramping up efforts to reclaim market share by asking its suppliers to produce approximately 10 million foldable iPhones this year, up from an earlier forecast of around 7 million to 8 million units, according to Nikkei Asia.
As part of its broader sales strategy, Apple has already booked components for roughly 80 million smartphones slated for production in the second half of 2026. The parts are expected to be used for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone, the report said.
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Apple’s purchasing power has reportedly put it in a stronger position than rivals such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, each of which is targeting production volumes of fewer than 100 million smartphones amid an industry-wide memory shortage.
Suppliers have also reportedly been told to prepare for orders of as many as 85 million new iPhones in the second half of 2026. In addition, Apple has asked suppliers to reserve iPhone 17 components for use in the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup, according to the report.
As per a Apple Insider report, The Cupertino based tech giant is expected to manufacture more than 220 million iPhones across its entire lineup this year.
That compares with an estimated 247 million iPhones sold in 2025. Reports from September 2025 had also indicated that Apple was exploring ways to accelerate production of its foldable iPhone while forecasting a 10% increase in overall iPhone sales during 2026.
The latest report further estimates that Apple’s foldable iPhone will account for 29% of all foldable display orders in 2026, placing it just behind Samsung’s projected 31% share, while Huawei is expected to account for 24%.
Foldable Design free of engineering challenges
In recent months, multiple reports have suggested that Apple has been grappling with engineering challenges related to the foldable iPhone’s hinge. The issue has raised expectations that initial shipments could remain limited following the device’s launch, with large-scale production likely to begin only toward the end of the year.
Apple increased prices for select MacBook and iPad models last month amid rising component costs, while the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup has so far avoided any price hikes. If the company maintains current pricing for the iPhone 17 series, analysts expect Apple to introduce higher prices with its next-generation foldable iPhone instead.
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According to IDC, Apple’s first foldable iPhone could debut with an average selling price of around $2,500, with higher storage variants potentially reaching $3,000.
Rumors suggest the foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch inner display paired with a 5.5-inch outer cover display. The device is also expected to include Touch ID instead of Face ID, Apple’s A20 chip, and the company’s C2 modem. It is widely expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September and could be marketed as the “iPhone Ultra,” according to multiple reports.
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