Launch and Pricing

Citi notes that Apple plans to launch the iPhone 18 family on 9 September 2026 (U.S. time). The lineup is expected to include the first foldable iPhone, tentatively called iPhone Ultra, with a starting price above $2,000. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are projected to be priced roughly $200 higher than the previous generation.

Shipment Forecast

Citi analyst Atif Malik forecasts 61.8 million iPhone 18 units will be shipped in the second half of 2026 and a total of 246 million iPhone units for the full calendar year 2026, implying a 1 % year‑over‑year increase. The foldable iPhone Ultra is slated for a production run of 7.5 million units in H2 2026 and an additional 4 million units in Q1 2027.

Assembly Allocation

Foxconn is identified as the primary assembler for the high‑end iPhone 18 models, covering all Fold, Pro and Pro Max variants with a 61 % share of second‑half‑2026 builds. Luxshare Precision will receive about 33 % of the allocation, focusing on the Pro and Pro Max models.

Key Component Suppliers

  • Semiconductors: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) will be the sole supplier of the new A20 chip built on 2‑nanometre process technology.
  • Memory: Kioxia is expected to obtain a relatively large allocation of NAND flash memory.
  • Cameras: LG Innotek will supply the variable‑aperture rear main cameras for Pro and Pro Max models. Luxshare and Sunny Optical are slated to provide camera actuators. Largan will continue to supply camera lenses, while Genius and Sunny Optical are projected to gain share in certain lens categories.
  • Foldable Phone Parts: Lens Tech will provide ultra‑thin glass cover, CPI film lamination and supporting film. Amphenol is expected to supply hinge modules. Lingyi will see increased content in precision hinge structural parts, display support plates, ultra‑thin vapor chambers and battery steel‑casing modules.
  • Displays: Samsung Display will retain leadership in supplying high‑end and foldable OLED panels.
  • Battery Cases: TDK is projected to expand the use of metal battery cases from premium models to the standard iPhone lineup in the first half of 2027.

Additional Notes

The analysis was generated with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor, as noted in the article’s disclaimer.