Apple's foldable device may be launched as planned, as Foxconn is recruiting temporary staff to increase production.

      The production calculations for the iPhone Ultra are striking, and the urgency is palpable.

      Apple's initial foldable iPhone has officially entered mass production, with Foxconn exerting maximum effort to meet the necessary production targets.

      What stands out to me in the latest supply chain updates is not only the scale of the recruitment effort but also the rapidity with which new workers are being hired.

      So, what does this surge in hiring by Foxconn signify?

      Foxconn’s Longhua facility in Shenzhen, purportedly responsible for assembling the iPhone Ultra, has commenced an extensive recruitment campaign. What’s particularly noteworthy is that the company is employing temporary, seasonal, and hourly workers on short-term agreements.

      According to a report by mydrivers (via Phone Arena), Apple’s main supplier is recruiting workers temporarily from July to October. This indicates to me that the production of the iPhone Ultra has already started, and they might fulfill the additional assembly requirements by October of this year.

      The report also highlights the hourly wages Foxconn is offering, which range from 22 to 26 yuan, approximately $3.20 to $3.80. Initially, full-time employees earn around 2,600 yuan per month (about $360) during their probation period, increasing to roughly 2,950 yuan (about $410) afterward.

      Incentives such as overtime, bonuses, and night-shift pay can boost overall earnings. Additionally, it appears that temporary workers can begin immediately without undergoing the usual medical exam, pointing to Foxconn's efforts to staff this production line as quickly as possible.

      What insights do we have regarding the iPhone Ultra itself?

      Sources in the supply chain indicate that the design was finalized some time ago, with no delays anticipated for a September launch.

      Apple has instructed suppliers to prepare for the production of up to 10 million units, although Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that only 500,000 to 1,000,000 will actually ship in Q3, right after the official announcement in September.

      Other units may begin shipping later in 2026, between October and December, as part of a gradual global rollout.

      To sum up, Foxconn is compensating workers with less than $4 an hour to assemble a device that Apple intends to sell for approximately $2,000 to $2,500 for the entry-level version with 256GB of storage. The irony in this situation is hard to miss.

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