The iPhone Ultra has entered mass production, but reports indicate that quality control checks have been rejecting the vast majority of units, leaving suppliers producing only a few hundred devices per day during August.
Manufacturing of the device has been underway for at least several weeks. Despite this, supplies of the new handset may be extremely constrained when it reaches the market, raising the prospect of limited early availability.
Launch still expected in September
The iPhone Ultra is still believed to be part of the line-up announced at the 9 September event. For months, differing accounts have circulated over whether the model was delayed because of manufacturing difficulties, or whether any such issues had already been resolved.
The latest indications suggest that production has been running very slowly, with output falling well short of the volumes typically associated with a new flagship handset. That pace points to tight stock levels around the time of launch.
Additional inspection process introduced
Apple is reported to have introduced a further inspection and verification process for the device during August. According to an unspecified source, the additional step is concerned with production quality rather than being a response to manufacturing problems.
The distinction matters for buyers watching supply. A focus on quality control rather than technical faults suggests the constrained numbers stem from stringent checks on finished units, with only a small proportion clearing the process each day.
With the announcement date approaching, attention now turns to how many units will be ready for sale, and how quickly output can rise once the additional verification step is fully embedded in the manufacturing line.
Source
Image: appleinsider.com
