Apple currently cannot estimate when supply limitations for its newly released foldable smartphone will resolve. Speaking with Reuters, Apple CEO John Ternus explained that the company is working diligently to deliver the device to customers quickly, though predicting when supply and demand will balance is currently impossible.
Launch and Supply Constraints
Apple introduced its first foldable device last month with a starting price of $1,999, which includes a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen. Following rapid sell-outs of preorders, some expected delivery dates stretch into 2027. Additionally, the company stocked a limited quantity of the devices in retail stores upon release.
Regarding reports concerning damaged displays, Ternus told Reuters that only a minimal percentage of devices were returned for screen cracking, and confirmed that Apple is handling replacements for those units.
Financial Impact and Memory Costs
The tech giant has faced ongoing manufacturing bottlenecks and surging memory expenses for several months, leading to higher retail prices across multiple product categories, including the baseline prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models.
During the company’s Q4 earnings call on Monday, Ternus described the current memory pricing environment as unprecedented. He noted that Apple anticipates further cost increases for memory through the December quarter, though these expenses are partially counterbalanced by the recent price adjustments.
Despite omitting a standard iPhone 18 model from the lineup, Apple generated a record-breaking $57.58 billion in iPhone revenue during the fourth quarter.
