Apple Plans Five New iPhone Models, Boosts Foldable iPhone Production Amid Memory Supply Crunch

Apple is turning its long-standing playbook upside down. Rather than dropping its typical four phones simultaneously in September, the company is adopting an aggressive, multi-phase rollout that will extend into early next year.

What’s even more surprising is Apple’s timing, deliberately ramping up production of their first-ever foldable phone right in the middle of a massive global memory chip crunch that’s forcing competitors to back down.

This is how the breakdown looks for this very ambitious strategy:

1. Initiating the first fold

Apple has dramatically increased its production targets for its much-anticipated first foldable iPhone, reported to be called the iPhone Ultra, pushing orders to 10 million units.

The design: Supply chain leaks indicate a premium, book-like foldable with a special hinge mechanism designed to prevent screen creasing and a large 7.8-inch inner display.
The Price Tag: Expect to pay for innovation. The foldable will likely be the most expensive iPhone ever made, with a starting price of about $2,500 and potentially $3,000 for the most premium versions.

 2. A Split, Five-Model Lineup

Apple will be launching its new phones in two different waves to better manage its supply chain.

The Fall Window (September): Apple will focus on its highest margin, premium devices, period. This launch will feature only the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra.
The Spring Window (Early next year) The more standard and less expensive models are being pushed to early next year in a huge break from tradition. The second wave will include the base iPhone 18 and a newly redesigned ultra-thin iPhone Air.

 3. Flexing Supply Chain Muscle in Chip Crunch

The global tech industry is now facing a significant shortage of memory chips. Tech giants are buying up huge quantities of RAM and storage components for their AI data centres, causing the prices of phone components to skyrocket.

Apple is leveraging its huge cash reserves and buying power to squeeze out rivals. Meanwhile, Chinese smartphone rivals like Xiaomi and Oppo have had to lower their production targets to less than 100 million units because they just can't get or afford parts. In fact, Apple has already booked parts for 80 million smartphones for the back half of the year alone with a goal of producing a staggering 220 million iPhones.

In the end, Apple hopes that its purchasing muscle will allow it to throw a wide range of options into the market just as its nearest competitors are having to pull back.