Apple very cautious about iPhone Ultra sales; Samsung wins concession
9to5Mac • • general
Key Points:
- Apple has significantly reduced its initial production forecast for the iPhone Fold (or iPhone Ultra) from 10 million to around 3 million units, reflecting cautious demand expectations for its most expensive smartphone to date.
- The iPhone Ultra is expected to start at a price between $2,000 and $2,400, with Apple anticipating that only early adopters will purchase the first folding model, similar to the market response seen with the Vision Pro.
- Apple chose Samsung as the sole supplier for the iPhone Ultra’s foldable OLED displays after Samsung met the company’s stringent quality requirements, especially regarding screen durability and crease visibility.
- Samsung has secured a three-year exclusive contract to supply foldable OLED panels for the iPhone Ultra, preventing other display manufacturers from participating in this segment during that period.
- This exclusivity deal reflects Samsung’s technological leadership and its interest in protecting its investment in the specialized production lines required for Apple’s folding smartphone displays.
