Apple begins prototype production of its foldable iPhone, with iPhone Ultra launching in 2026

Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone has entered prototype production, with the P1 (Prototype 1) hitting production in the last few weeks.

In a new report from DigiTimes picked up by insider @Jukanrosleve on X, we're hearing that Apple's supply chain said the new P1 (Prototype 1) for the foldable iPhone went into prototype production in June, with the potential to complete the Prototype development process before the end of the year. After which, it'll enter EVT (Engineering Verification Test) and then the new foldable iPhone will reportedly launch in the second half of 2026.

Supply chain sources also teased that Apple's original plan for new products includes a larger-sized foldable iPad, which will join the foldable fray with the iPhone Ultra. Apple will be releasing its new foldable iPhone first -- which we've heard is called the iPhone Ultra -- with the foldable iPad reportedly "temporarily put on hold".

DigiTimes reports from industry insiders who have said the foldable iPhone has been under development for the last 5 years, with more than 12 revisions. Supply chain vendors are remaining cautious, only stating that it now "has the chance" to see the light of day.

Once Apple is finished with its P1 prototype foldable iPhone, the company will shift into P2 and P3 stages, after which the foldable handset will enter EVT, and then mass production becomes more certain. Supply chain sources added that Apple iPhones normally go through P1-P3 stages in the year leading up to the launch, followed by EVT, DVT, and MP in the subsequent year before the fall event launch.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 is expected to be unveiled in the fall of 2025, after finishing its EVT stage in early Q2 2025. During its P1 to P3 stages, the supply chain will start small-volume trial productions, after which they'll be passed onto primary iPhone assemblers Foxconn and Pegatron for production.

These stages allow for the inspection of production and product yields where if they're aren't any problems, it then passes into the next stage, with P1-P3 stages taking around two months to complete.

Apple's new foldable iPhone is expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, with a 7.74-inch foldable crease-free display, a premium metallic "liquid metal" hinge that resists deformation, dual 48MP cameras, and more. We're told to expect a structure that is 2.5x harder than titanium, with a stainless steel-style look.

Apple will be competing with Samsung and its multiple generations of foldable Galaxy smartphones, with Samsung to launch its new Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 shortly, as well as a triple-fold Galaxy G Fold smartphone we're expecting to see later this year.