Supply chain sources deny reports of production delays for the iPhone Ultra, Apple's first foldable phone. Recent reports from the Cailian News Agency indicate that Chinese suppliers have entered peak production, contradicting earlier rumors that the launch would slip into next year.

Despite the on-schedule manufacturing, initial availability will likely be tight. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that production capacity limitations could result in shipments of only 500,000 to 1 million units during the early third quarter.

Consumers should expect shipping delays of four to six weeks if demand outstrips these limited first batches. This scarcity protects Apple from inventory surpluses while testing the market for its most expensive phone to date. The industry now watches to see if Apple can scale foldable production fast enough to avoid long-term waitlists.