In the midst of the storage chip shortage, Apple is increasing orders! It is reported that the stock target for the foldable iPhone has been raised to 10 million units, with plans to launch 5 new models

According to Zhitong Finance APP, against the backdrop of a global "memory chip shortage" in the consumer electronics industry, Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) is launching a product offensive with its most aggressive stance in recent years. According to informed sources, Apple plans to release at least five new iPhone models between the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027, significantly raising the stock target for its first foldable iPhone from the previous 7 to 8 million units to about 10 million units.

According to the latest supply chain information, Apple will adopt a phased release strategy, creating one of the most intensive iPhone release rhythms in recent years. In the fall of 2026, three high-end products will be launched first: iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable model (tentatively named iPhone Ultra), targeting the flagship market. The standard versions, iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and the second-generation iPhone Air, will be postponed to spring 2027. This adjustment aims to align with the initial production ramp-up of 2nm chips, prioritizing the supply of high-margin high-end models.

Sources indicate that, including existing models and upcoming new ones, Apple's total iPhone production for 2026 will far exceed 220 million units. Apple has secured enough components from the supply chain to produce about 80 million new iPhones, covering the iPhone 18 Pro/Max and the first foldable iPhone. Some suppliers have received forecasts for new iPhone production in the second half of the year, with estimates as high as 85 million units. IDC expects Apple's total iPhone sales for 2026 to reach approximately 240 million units.

iPhone Ultra: 2nm Chip + Titanium Alloy Body, Pricing May Set New Records

According to multiple supply chain sources, Apple's first foldable iPhone Ultra shows strong sincerity in design and configuration:

In terms of appearance design, it adopts a horizontal book-style inward folding scheme, with a body thickness of only about 4.5 mm when unfolded and about 9.2 mm when closed, overall thinner than current mainstream Android foldable flagships. The outer screen is a 5.5-inch design without a Dynamic Island, close to the size of a regular iPhone; the inner screen is a 7.8-inch 4:3 ratio OLED screen, similar in size to the iPad mini, supporting a 1 to 120Hz LTPO adaptive refresh rate.

In terms of core hardware, it is equipped with a full-version A20 Pro chip manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process and comes with 12GB of RAM. It uses a titanium alloy mid-frame to control the overall weight and supports IP68 dust and water resistance. Due to internal space constraints, the imaging system adopts a dual-camera scheme with a main camera and an ultra-wide-angle camera, eliminating the telephoto lens; Face ID has also been removed, replaced by a power button integrated with Touch ID, and the MagSafe magnetic structure has been removed.

In terms of pricing, the market generally predicts that the overseas starting price will exceed $2,000, while the domestic starting price is expected to fall within the range of 14,999 to 15,999 yuan, with the top configuration likely to exceed 20,000 yuan, setting a new historical pricing record for the iPhone. IDC estimates that the average selling price of this model could reach as high as $2,500, with higher storage versions potentially reaching $3,000 The iPhone 18 Pro series is also equipped with strong specifications: it features the full-version A20 Pro chip and is equipped with 12GB of memory. The main camera introduces a physical variable aperture ranging from f/1.4 to f/4.0 for the first time, achieving true optical depth of field control. Some models are equipped with the self-developed C2 5G baseband, gradually reducing dependence on Qualcomm while retaining Starlink satellite communication capabilities.

Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the shipment of foldable iPhones will reach 8 to 10 million units in 2026, with the potential to grow to 20 to 25 million units in 2027.

Supply Chain Game: Increasing Orders Amid Storage Shortages, Hinge Yield Issues Resolved

This product push comes at a time when global storage chips are still in short supply. The strong demand for storage chips from AI data centers has driven up component costs across the industry. However, Apple is relatively less affected due to its large purchasing scale and strong bargaining power.

Reports indicate that several Chinese smartphone manufacturers have lowered their annual production targets, while Apple's purchasing power gives it a significant advantage in securing storage chip supplies. An executive from a supplier that serves both Apple and Chinese smartphone manufacturers stated, "Compared to Apple's bargaining power, Chinese smartphone manufacturers are at a disadvantage in obtaining more storage chip supplies or raising prices."

There have been multiple rumors in the market that the foldable iPhone might be delayed until 2027 due to hinge yield issues. However, the latest supply chain information shows that the tolerance issue with the liquid metal hinge has been largely resolved, and the control of screen creases has reached Apple's internal mass production standards, with overall engineering validation entering the final stages.

According to the current progress, the iPhone Ultra is planned to officially start large-scale production in late July, with Foxconn as the manufacturer. However, due to the impact of the new structural design, the initial production yield is still in the ramp-up phase, and after the fall launch, it may only be able to initiate small batch shipments, with large-scale deliveries expected to be realized in the fourth quarter. The target of 10 million units in stock will cover the sales cycle from the end of 2026 to early 2027.

In terms of key component supply, the inner screen of the foldable iPhone is exclusively supplied by Samsung Display, with both parties signing a three-year supply agreement. Samsung Display began mass production of foldable OLED panels in the second quarter of this year, with an initial shipment volume of about 3 million units and a panel yield exceeding 80%. The hinge is supplied jointly by Taiwan's New Nikko and the U.S. company Amphenol.

Market Landscape: Apple Expected to Capture 29% of Foldable Panel Share in the First Year, Triopoly Forming

According to the latest report from market research firm Counterpoint Research, global shipments of foldable smartphone panels are expected to reach approximately 27.5 million units in 2026, a year-on-year increase of about 24%; revenue is expected to reach approximately $4.4 billion, a year-on-year increase of about 48%. The rebound is mainly concentrated in the second half of the year, with shipments in the third and fourth quarters accounting for about 64% of the annual total.

From the perspective of brand procurement share, a triopoly is expected to form in 2026: Samsung is expected to remain in the lead with a 31% share; Apple is expected to contribute approximately 29% of foldable smartphone panel procurement share in its first year; Huawei is expected to procure about 24% Counterpoint pointed out that Apple will not immediately "eat away" at the market share of Samsung and Huawei, but will drive market expansion and shift the focus of competition towards larger foldable products with higher prices, greater reliability, and fewer creases.

In the domestic market, Qunzhi Consulting data shows that the shipment volume of foldable smartphones in China is expected to reach 12 to 13 million units in 2026, a year-on-year increase of 20% to 30%. Chinese manufacturers have densely laid out products across various price segments, forming a complete price range coverage from entry-level models priced at 3,000 yuan to flagship models priced at 10,000 yuan. Apple's foldable model is priced directly at the high-end market above 10,000 yuan, and will not directly compete with domestic manufacturers in terms of price in the short term. However, with its brand momentum and ecological advantages, it is expected to further enlarge the overall market pie for foldable screens.

From a longer-term perspective, Apple has formulated a "three-year reshaping plan": launching its first foldable iPhone in the fall of 2026, and releasing the iPhone 20th Anniversary Edition model in the fall of 2027, exploring cutting-edge technologies such as hole-less full screens, curved glass bodies, and under-display cameras. Display analyst Ross Young expects Apple to enter the foldable market in the second half of 2026 and revitalize the currently stagnant foldable smartphone market due to weakened consumer interest