Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

'iPhone Ultra' Could Face Staggered Market Rollout, US Only at Launch

It'll be interesting to see who buys the iPhone Ultra (Fold) when it's released, considering the rumour high price of the model.
Gives one deja vu of the Vision Pro, where early adopters were basically media people and influencers who influenced no one but their own egos. Even those who bought it later didn't see much use in it, as many have reported on various online boards.
Wait to see what people will do with the Ultra model.
For the average user, if they have the money, despite the current economy, go for it as it's their money and choice. For everyone else, it's a wait & see approach. Best to wait until next year or so for Version 2.
Similar to buying a new car when the newer generational model is released. Wait until the second/third year of the models so automakers can work out the problems from the 1st year model. Let the early adopters deal with possibly any new issues with 1st release models.
 
  • Like
Reactions: platinumaqua
That would be a good way to get people to buy the Samsung Fold 8 instead. From the rumours the hardware won’t surpass Samsungs but still be more expensive so the big upside is iOS, having to wait 3 months longer for the device would make my eye the Samsung quite a bit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jamezr
boswald said:
Call me a pessimist, but I have a bad feeling about this…
Click to expand...
It's not pessimism but more pragmatism.
The product hasn't been released, just lots of rumours.
No need to feel negative about it but take the rumours in stride as just rumours and wait and see what happens after the model's release.
May consider it pessimistic optimism for being realistic about things and life.
 
  • Like
Reactions: boswald
I can really see this happening. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will not be marketed as a lesser device than the Ultra thus Apple will most likely not repeat the iPhone X release (making the iPhone 8 seem like a lesser device) which caused people to not want to preorder the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus but instead wait for the iPhone X. In this way the iPhone Ultra will be available for preorder on the same day as the iPhone 18 Pro giving the 18 pro series a leg up to be seen as a similarly powerful device as the Ulta and not stealing the 18 Pro’s thunder. Only way for this to happen is to release it in the USA first.
 
turbineseaplane said:
Absolutely.
At the end of the day, this is an iPhone, which basically sells itself.

Apple themselves have struggled to articulate cogent and consistent visions (pun intended) for what & who the Vision Pro is for.
Click to expand...

I think the "who" is something that becomes obvious with adoption, and it might not be the demographic Apple thought it was. That adoption hasn't happened because the price, as they say, is too damned high. Maybe that's Apple greed, or maybe that's what that level of quality costs. As far as I've heard, the Visions are really nice machines—they're just crazy expensive.

I'm not a Vision evangelist, and it's too expensive for me, but I would very much like one someday. I really like the idea of being immersed in windows, being able to pin widgets to walls, changing the surroundings to a lake in the woods or whatever. It's the ultimate multi-display setup (with the caveat that I'm not sure how precise the colors are for graphic/video design).

Honestly, if Apple had marketed Vision as a high-end display instead of a whole new whatever, they might have had more success with it. For a lot of people, "replace your bulky four-monitor setup" makes more immediate sense than "work in augmented reality".
 
Price is still a hot topic on this phone and I don’t think people realize the value proposition.

I got an iPhone 13 Pro 512gb on release date (September 2021) and still use it today. I paid $1299 for the phone, $199 for Applecare, and roughly $109 in sales tax. Total cost: $1606. (Let’s ignore consumables and accessories such as cables, cases, and screen protectors ).

Fast forward to today (5 years) and, due to inflation, that $1606 is now the equivalent of $1979.

Today, that same config is:
Phone - $1299 (same price)
AppleCare - $280 (139.99/yr * 2 yrs)
Tax - $114
Total - $1693

This has gone up $87, and only because of AppleCare. Based on inflation, the phone alone should cost $1600.

It’s super easy to complain about greedy corporations, but Apple has not raised the price on this hardware in years (which is remarkable considering how bad inflation has been on the US dollar).

Apple could/should charge $1300 for the entry storage iPhone Pro, $1600 for the 512gb variant. And if the iPhone Fold comes in at $2000, I think the value proposition will make a lot more sense.

People will still have sticker shock because, well, it’s a lot of money. However, if people like myself are able to use their phones for five years, that cost feels a little less painful .


Iphone 13 Pro 512gb cost at launch:
1786640840178.png

Iphone 17 Pro 512gb cost today:
1786640897450.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wolf Puppy and JBRipley
H.E. Pennypacker said:
It’s wild to me how people throw around good luck beta testers like it’s some kind of insult. Every new product category has to start somewhere. The first iPhone had plenty of early adopters who were essentially “beta testers” by today’s definition.

Being an early adopter is simply a risk vs reward decision. I’m confident enough in the potential upside of a foldable iPhone that I’m willing to take that risk and I have the discretionary income to do it. If you don’t have the desire or the money to take that risk, that’s completely fine.

But acting like people who are interested in new technology are idiots for buying first generation products is a pretty anti innovation mindset. Progress happens because people are willing to adopt new ideas before they’re perfected. Sitting on the sidelines until every flaw has been ironed out is perfectly reasonable but pretending that makes you smarter than the people willing to jump in early is just shortsighted.
Click to expand...
Not to mention someone stating that people are buying it only for the "flash" factor. I can't imagine being so worried about what someone else buys, I need to make up excuses for their purchases.
 
  • Like
Reactions: H.E. Pennypacker
MacRumors said:


Apple's upcoming foldable "iPhone Ultra" may see a staggered country-by-country launch over several months, with initial availability limited to the U.S. market, according to an Australian publication.

Apple-Foldable-Thumb.jpg

In a report labeled "exclusive," ChannelNews said today it has been told by local carriers and one major retailer that Apple's first foldable iPhone will be a "no show" when the iPhone 18 Pro models launch in September, despite being unveiled together. Instead, Apple will release the book-style device in the U.S. market first, followed by key markets including China over two or three months.

The staggered launch is said to be due to supply setbacks and "pricing problems." The publication's sources also claim that Apple is "having testing issues with production models that have already been built."

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed last month that Apple would unveil its first foldable iPhone at the same time as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but that iPhone Ultra pre-orders would start at a later date than the latter models.

Kuo said manufacturing challenges have limited early production, but this is the first time we have heard that a staggered country rollout could be another consequence of continuing supply issues.

Vision Pro All Over Again?

It wouldn't be the first time Apple has launched a new product in a staggered manner. When the Vision Pro launched in February 2024, it was only available in the U.S. initially. The headset was later launched in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore in June, followed by Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK in July.

The reasons for the Vision Pro's staggered launch came down to low volume production, retail store readiness, and the fact that it was an entirely new category for Apple. All three could arguably apply to the company's first foldable.

Multiple reports have suggested the iPhone Ultra's production has faced hurdles because of the complexity of the device, with the hinge structure and display durability testing having been the principal bottlenecks. However, those issues were thought to have been resolved during trial production at Foxconn, with Apple subsequently raising its order to around 10 million units, up from 7-8 million units for the year, according to Nikkei Asia.

That said, 10 million units amounts to only a third of Kuo's forecast of 20-22 million units for iPhone 18 Pro models this year. Meanwhile, Kuo still believes Apple's supplier will ship only 7-8 million foldable iPhones in 2026. At such a relatively small number, Apple would presumably struggle to stock 40+ countries on launch day.

It's worth bearing in mind that a staggered market launch is a claim made by the report's sources, and remains uncorroborated. Either way, we should know for sure soon enough. The iPhone Ultra's unveiling is only a matter of weeks away, and we're expecting it to feature an inner display of around 7.7 to 7.8 inches, a 5.5-inch cover screen, a thickness of roughly 4.5mm, and a starting price above $2,000. Apple's iPhone event is most likely going to happen on Tuesday, September 8 or Wednesday, September 9.

Article Link: 'iPhone Ultra' Could Face Staggered Market Rollout, US Only at Launch
Click to expand...
Trump is pushing for iPhone tourism 😂😂😂😂
 
MayaUser said:
Price is still a hot topic on this phone and I don’t think people realize the value proposition.

I got an iPhone 13 Pro 512gb on release date (September 2021) and still use it today. I paid $1299 for the phone, $199 for Applecare, and roughly $109 in sales tax. Total cost: $1606. (Let’s ignore consumables and accessories such as cables, cases, and screen protectors ).

Fast forward to today (5 years) and, due to inflation, that $1606 is now the equivalent of $1979.

Today, that same config is:
Phone - $1299 (same price)
AppleCare - $280 (139.99/yr * 2 yrs)
Tax - $114
Total - $1693

This has gone up $87, and only because of AppleCare. Based on inflation, the phone alone should cost $1600.

It’s super easy to complain about greedy corporations, but Apple has not raised the price on this hardware in years (which is remarkable considering how bad inflation has been on the US dollar).

Apple could/should charge $1300 for the entry storage iPhone Pro, $1600 for the 512gb variant. And if the iPhone Fold comes in at $2000, I think the value proposition will make a lot more sense.

People will still have sticker shock because, well, it’s a lot of money. However, if people like myself are able to use their phones for five years, that cost feels a little less painful .


Iphone 13 Pro 512gb cost at launch:
View attachment 2652431
Iphone 17 Pro 512gb cost today:
View attachment 2652432
Click to expand...
Despite the "higher value" that "higher value" is far harder for most to get in the current world.
 
Apples doing that on purpose The reason is simple. Apple doesn’t want people ordering both the Pro Max and Ultra to see which one they like best and returning the other
 
This will probably help make it even more popular with FOMO. If it is indeed supply constrained then I could see it being backordered through the end of the year. Financing with Klarna and 36 month financing from the cellular carriers will largely negate the high price. I'll continue adding to my AAPL position. This is going to be good.
 
bunce66 said:
I've got a feeling that it's not going to be a huge success. People are fine with the current form factor.
Click to expand...
I was looking at my 17 pro. Having had a long relationship with past pro maxes, I don’t need a larger device than that I own right now. But I’m open to any new options, I’m not ruling out the fold yet. Also the price is a major concern for me, money is tight, girls.
 
  • Like
Reactions: navaira
There are a few US only iphone centric things already that others don’t have. Apple cash. ID. Apple Card’s. Some other things with Siri too. I can see the fold being US only too.
 
If they do this, a lot of people will just get the 18 Pro or Pro Max on release, then those potential Ultra customers are gone for a year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back