iPhone Ultra: What to expect from Apple's first foldable iPhone, and when

Rumors of a folding iPhone go back more than a decade, and the device will finally break cover very soon. Here's what the rumor mill thinks is coming.

Apple's first foldable is right around the corner, and while it's still unclear if it will be called the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra, it's sure to make a splash. Over the years, multiple sources have claimed Apple was working on devices with folding displays, with the first expected to be an entirely new iPhone model.

While some smartphone manufacturers, like Samsung, have already embraced the concept of foldable smartphone screens, with the Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip, Apple has yet to enter the market. The company has outright refused to comment on the matter altogether.

Still, that doesn't mean the company isn't working on a foldable iPhone. People familiar with the matter have told AppleInsider that Apple and its supply chain partners have been researching the idea for years, and the rumor mill agrees.

Analysts and leakers alike have chimed in, and even Apple's own code suggests an iPhone with a folding screen is in the works. Over the years, we've seen everything from purported technical specifications to alleged iPhone Ultra release dates, board designs, dummy units, and more.

What Apple might call its first foldable: iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra

In March 2026, a generally reliable leaker claimed that Apple was working on a multitude of "Ultra" tier products, including an iPhone with a folding screen. They said they believed Apple might use the term "iPhone Ultra" for the new foldable, though they refused to confirm that as the marketing name outright.

The same month, a relatively unknown Weibo leaker corroborated the purported iPhone Ultra moniker, though it's unclear how they came up with this claim. More recently, in August 2026, a report claimed that "everyone" within Apple referred to the foldable as the iPhone Ultra.

Apple's marketing names very rarely leak, so it's anyone's guess what the foldable will be called. With that in mind, there's no chance the true name is known by "everyone" at Apple. Earlier rumors from the same source regarding the "Ultra" branding turned out to be wrong, meaning there's plenty of room for doubt.

AppleInsider has generally referred to Apple's upcoming folding iPhone as the iPhone Fold, or occasionally as the iPhone Ultra. In short, we've used both terms interchangeably, as it's still unclear what the device will be called.

iPhone Ultra: release date rumors

Rumors of an iPhone Fold first appeared in October 2017. At the time, a report suggested that mass production of folding iPhone displays would start in 2020.

However, a March 2018 analyst report said otherwise, saying that the foldable iPhone would debut in 2020. As we all know, though, that didn't turn out to be true, so the rumor mill quickly came up with a new purported release date: 2022.

This is according to a rumor from November 2020, which claimed Apple supply chain partner Foxconn was developing a folding iPhone that would debut in 2022. Months later, new reports said the device was even further away.

After saying twice in March 2021 that the iPhone Fold would debut in 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed, in September 2021, that Apple's first foldable would actually arrive in 2024. Unsurprisingly, that didn't pan out, as the years came and went with no folding iPhone in sight.

In January 2022, leaker predictions had shifted to a new release date, 2025. At the time, it was alleged that multiple different iPhone Fold prototypes were in active development.

The following month, display analyst Ross Young corroborated this claim, saying an iPhone with a folding display would not arrive before 2025. However, not everyone agreed with this assessment.

Two rumors from February 2024 and one from March 2024 claimed Apple initially wanted to release its folding iPhone in 2026, but that the company ultimately had to delay the launch until 2027. Rumors of a supposed 2027 release date resurfaced in June 2024.

However, a July 2024 report from analyst Jeff Pu said otherwise, insisting that a 2026 launch was planned for Apple's first folding iPhone. Pu echoed these claims in March 2025, April 2025, and January 2026.

Meanwhile, a February 2025 report said manufacturing of the foldable iPhone was expected to start in early 2026, pointing toward a 2027 release. Days later, however, a different leaker said that full production was planned for late 2025, meaning the phone would debut in 2026 rather than 2027.

Following his incorrect reports, which said Apple would release a foldable iPhone in 2023 or 2024, Ming-Chi Kuo returned in March 2025 with new comments. At the time, he corroborated claims of a late 2026 or early 2027 release for the iPhone Fold, and claimed manufacturing would begin in Q4 2026.

Later that same month, a tipster with a good track record alleged Apple's foldable iPhone would debut in 2026. The leaker reiterated this claim in May 2025, July 2025, and twice in August 2025, then again in November 2025.

Separately, a May 2025 report backed previous claims of a 2026 release for the first folding iPhone.

A month later, in June 2025, Kuo would return once again, alleging that Apple's first smartphone with a folding display would enter trial production in late Q3 2025 or early Q4 2025, with full-scale manufacturing to be conducted by Foxconn in the summer of 2026. Kuo reiterated his stance in September 2025.

Then, a July 2025 report claimed Apple had produced prototypes for its foldable phone, aligning with Kuo's summer 2026 production claims.

Months later, in October 2025, a tipster said that Apple was stockpiling components for the folding iPhone, indicating the company was aiming for a 2026 or 2027 release.

The same month, a different source claimed Apple's first foldable phone was delayed to 2027 over hinge-related issues. However, a November 2025 supply chain report claimed that Apple had solved the problem with the iPhone Fold's hinges, and that full-scale production was on track to begin in 2026.

Also in November 2025, an investment firm forecast suggested the folding iPhone would arrive in 2026, aligning with Apple's typical iPhone release cycle in September of each year. A similar forecast from December 2025 predicted that foldable smartphone shipments would rise 30% year over year in 2026, as Apple will join the market.

The following month, in January 2026, a supply chain report alleged that Apple would launch its foldable iPhone in September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Not everyone agrees with this, however, as a March 2026 report from an analyst with a sketchy history said the iPhone Fold would actually debut in December 2026. They did not explain why the folding iPhone would arrive three months after the usual September iPhone event.

Another similarly obscure analyst said in March 2026 that the first foldable iPhone was "likely" to arrive in 2026, but offered no further information about the launch timing.

The same month, a leaker with an established track record suggested the iPhone Fold may reach consumers well after the iPhone 18 Pro does. They claimed Apple could announce both devices in September, but that the iPhone Fold would ultimately ship sometime later.

In April 2026, a Weibo tipster claimed the iPhone Fold, or iPhone Ultra, had entered trial production. If it passes all relevant tests, they said at the time, then Apple's foldable iPhone would arrive in September 2026 or in October 2026.

The same month, however, a supply chain report cautioned that the iPhone Fold might be delayed. This was then disputed by a more reliable leaker, who insisted the foldable iPhone would not face delays.

Then, also in April 2026, a publication with a mixed track record chimed in. It said that iPhone Fold manufacturing could be delayed by two months, but that this likely won't impact the planned September 2026 release date.

In May 2026, we saw yet another rumor of a potential delay. The Weibo leaker who spoke about iPhone Fold trial production in April 2026 now said that significant issues arose with the device's hinge.

The same month, a different Weibo leaker said that circuitry issues had appeared with the foldable iPhone project. They added in June 2026, however, that the problem likely would not impact Apple's planned 2026 release date for its folding iPhone.

Also in June 2026, code from an iOS 27 developer beta was discovered to contain references to a foldable iPhone. This ultimately revealed the device was in development, but offered no insights as to when it might debut.

Later in June 2026, a supply chain report seemingly based on outright speculation argued that the iPhone Fold might be delayed to 2027. The root of the claim is a statement from the CEO of Apple lens supplier Largan Precision, who said that some new opportunities "will be moved to the beginning of next year."

Only a day later, however, a Weibo leaker dismissed the rumor of a possible delay, calling the claims "fake" and "ridiculous." Later the same month, a publication with a mixed track record claimed Apple had finalized all the specifications of its foldable iPhone, and that the device would debut in September 2026.

However, in July 2026, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that while Apple plans to announce an iPhone with a folding screen in September 2026, the phones themselves might not reach customers until much later. This would reportedly be in line with what Apple did for the iPhone X launch in 2017.

Shortly thereafter, an obscure self-described "news agency" said that Apple's first foldable smartphone would arrive on time in September 2026, meaning there were no delays in sight.

Later in July 2026, however, we saw yet another rumor claiming otherwise. Supposedly, Apple supplier Foxconn was still making "adjustments" to the iPhone Fold, or iPhone Ultra, production schedule. This suggested that, while the folding iPhone could arrive on time, delays were not out of the question.

Then, in August 2028, an unnamed supply chain source from China claimed that Apple's foldable iPhone would first reach consumers in the United States, before gradually expanding to other markets. The anticipated delay was supposedly "primarily down to supply and pricing issues."

While the iPhone Fold is practically guaranteed to debut in the near future, some have claimed the device has been canceled altogether, something Apple has done with other projects over the years.

A February 2024 report suggested Apple's planned folding iPhone was scrapped. Given the number of rumors that have surfaced after this claim was made, however, there's little reason to believe the hardware won't see the light of day.

In short, rumors about the release timing of Apple's first foldable are all over the place. Some say the phone was delayed to 2027; others say it will arrive in September 2026, October 2026, or even December 2026.

iPhone Ultra display supplier rumors: From LG to Samsung

The most important part of the iPhone Ultra will be its foldable screen. Apple has an established network of supply chain partners, some of which are rumored to provide displays for the folding iPhone.

In essence, the rumor mill believes that one of two major display makers will supply screens for the iPhone Ultra: either LG Display or Samsung Display.

An October 2017 report claimed Apple had plans to work with LG Display in developing a screen for its foldable iPhone. This rumor later resurfaced in February 2021, while an April 2022 report suggested Apple was developing a foldable MacBook or iPad screen with LG Display as well.

Claims of an iPhone with a folding screen continued in May 2022, with claims of a flexible OLED panel being in development. Several months later, a September 2022 rumor claimed Apple and LG Display were working on a folding iPhone display that wouldn't crumple.

These efforts reportedly included the creation of hybrid OLED panels that combine inflexible glass sections with flexible plastic substrate panels to deal with bending.

However, LG Display may not have been the only display supplier Apple had planned for the iPhone Ultra. A September 2020 report said that Apple had "asked Samsung Display to provide a large sample of foldable phone screens."

On a related note, Samsung Display allegedly went through an organizational reshuffle in December 2023, which impacted the team that deals with Apple.

Still, a January 2025 rumor said that Apple hadn't decided on a display supplier for the foldable iPhone, meaning LG Display and Samsung Display were both in the running. This would change the following month, however, as a different source claimed Apple had chosen to partner with Samsung Display.

Rumors of Samsung Display being the exclusive supplier of iPhone Ultra screens would resurface in April 2025 and May 2025. As for why Apple made this decision, it could have to do with Samsung's experience in the foldable phone industry, with products like the Galaxy Z Fold.

Months later, in July 2025, Samsung Display allegedly started building a production line specifically for iPhone Ultra screens. The same month, Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple's first foldable phone would use Samsung's crease-free display design, rather than something Apple developed in-house.

In December 2025, it was rumored that Apple had ordered 22 million OLED panels from Samsung Display for the foldable iPhone. However, after Samsung Display's global communications team said the report was inaccurate, the text itself was deleted.

In January 2026, Samsung Display showed off its creaseless OLED smartphone panels at CES. At the time, it was speculated that this was the design the foldable iPhone would ultimately use. Samsung Display was again mentioned in relation to the folding iPhone in a March 2026 rumor.

According to an April 2026 report, meanwhile, Apple may have gone with Samsung Display because it had no other choice. Supposedly, BOE's foldable OLED panels were regarded as inadequate, and LG Display wasn't chosen because it doesn't yet make folding smartphone screens.

Consequently, Samsung Display allegedly proposed a three-year exclusivity deal for folding iPhone displays. The source behind this claim issued an update in June 2026, saying that Samsung Display had reached production yields above 80%, and that its Vietnam facility would provide an initial order of 3 million folding iPhone displays.

In short, rumors from early 2025 through mid 2026 suggest that screens for the upcoming foldable iPhone will be provided exclusively by Samsung Display. Plenty of rumors about the display itself, along with its features and specifications, have surfaced as well.

iPhone Ultra display and resolution rumors

Apple's foldable iPhone will seemingly feature two displays: a smaller outer screen for general use and a folding internal one that's much larger. The rumor mill has seemingly agreed on the essential display specifications.

A February 2025 report claimed the display of the first folding iPhone would be "comparable to two 6.1-inch iPhones folded together, resulting in a total size of over 12 inches." However, that's actually a miscalculation.

Realistically, the mention of two 6.1-inch iPhones points to a screen size of roughly 7.5 inches, meaning the folding Phone might look similar to the 8.3-inch iPad mini when unfolded.

A separate rumor, published the same month, suggested that Apple's foldable iPhone would boast a 5.49-inch outer screen, allowing it to function like a typical smartphone. The inner display, meant to make the device look more like an iPad, allegedly measures a somewhat realistic 7.74 inches diagonally.

These claims were echoed by Ming-Chi Kuo, who stated in March 2025 that the "folded-out inner screen" would measure 7.8 inches, while the outer display would be 5.5 inches. Two reports from April 2025 also outlined similar dimensions for the foldable iPhone.

Both sources said that the iPhone Ultra's inner display would feature a resolution of 2,713 by 1,920 pixels. This would translate to a pixel density of 428 pixels per inch.

Per the same two sources, the external screen of the foldable iPhone will measure 5.49 inches and have a resolution of 2,088 by 1,422 pixels. This would allow for a pixel density of 460 ppi, matching that of Apple's typical iPhone displays.

Its internal display is rumored to feature a hidden under-display camera, while a visible punch-hole camera might be present near the phone's outer display.

In terms of the screen's aspect ratio, a report from March 2025 claims Apple's first foldable iPhone will offer a familiar 4:3 format, resembling older iPad models.

Months later, in June 2025, another tipster indicated the phone's internal screen size would measure 7.58 inches, smaller than previously rumored 7.74 inches and 7.76 inches. Even so, the alleged resolution was maintained at 2,713 by 1,920 pixels.

The following month, an analyst report detailed Apple's supposed plans for a foldable iPhone with a 5.5-inch outer display and an internal folding screen measuring 7.8 inches. These dimensions are consistent with earlier rumors and reports.

In December 2025, alleged CAD files for the iPhone Ultra seemingly revealed that its external display would measure 5.49 inches diagonally, which lines up with the previously rumored 5.5 inches. This display size would allow for a resolution of 2,088 by 1,422 pixels.

The following month, however, analyst Jeff Pu outlined slightly different screen dimensions, with the external display measuring just 5.3 inches, and the internal screen being 7.8 inches when open. These measurements are somewhat similar to those rumored previously, but the numbers don't quite align.

Meanwhile, in August 2025, a generally reliable tipster said Apple had modified its plans for the iPhone Ultra's display tech. Supposedly, this entailed a switch from on-cell sensors to an in-cell screen design. This rumor has to do with the positions of touch sensors within the display sandwich.

With an on-cell display, sensors are placed directly below the front glass, above the color filter substrate and polarizer. In contrast, an in-cell design shifts the sensor layer deeper into the screen sandwich, below the color filter substrate, though still above the polarizer.

There are numerous advantages to the on-cell approach, including improved touch sensitivity and an easier production process. However, Apple is said to have found that the on-cell method can also create problems.

The company allegedly determined that on-cell screens can develop air gaps that make creases more pronounced. Given that Apple obviously seeks to minimize the appearance of creases, it reportedly switched to the in-cell design.

This approach would, ultimately, bring the iPhone Ultra display in line with the remainder of the iPhone lineup, which already makes use of the same technology.

A February 2025 report outlined alleged details about the display durability of the iPhone Ultra. Specifically, it was said that Apple's folding iPhone may not have a visible crease at all. Another leaker then corroborated claims that Apple was working to prevent wrinkles in the display after extended use.

In November 2025, a supply chain report explained that Apple had solved an apparent crease-related issue with the iPhone Ultra. Though there were no details as to what was actually resolved or improved, it was claimed that Foxconn was gearing up for iPhone Ultra production.

However, the following month, a Weibo leaker explained that Apple was still trying to address hinge-related difficulties. Supposedly, Apple was looking into using ultra-thin flexible glass (UFG) for the display, where materials of varying thickness would be used to allow the screen to bend.

This rumor resurfaced in March 2026, when it was claimed that Apple was considering a dual-layer UTG/UFG (Ultra-Thin Glass/Ultra-Thin Flexible Glass) structure for the iPhone Fold. This move would, again, improve long-term durability.

Meanwhile, in January 2026 at CES, Samsung previewed its crease-free foldable smartphone displays, which feature a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film on top. While it was believed Apple would use this same protective layer for its foldable phone, a February 2026 rumor claimed that the company was also considering transparent polyimide (PI) film.

Transparent PI film has a higher surface hardness relative to the standard PET film. Apple reportedly wanted to use the PI film to differentiate its phone from the competition, making it a more durable, premium option.

The same month, another rumor said Apple's efforts to reduce the crease visibility were successful. Supposedly, the endeavor resulted in a crease with a depth lower 0.15mm. This measurement refers to how much of a visible indentation the folded element produces, with lower numbers being better.

For comparison's sake, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 features a crease depth of about 0.7mm, meaning the crease in the foldable iPhone display might be much harder to see.

The source behind this claim also said that the iPhone Ultra's crease angle is under 2.5 degrees. This means the screen won't be truly flat when unfolded, but that it will appear as such to end users.

Additionally, an April 2026 report said that Apple was considering a newer optically clear adhesive, or OCA, for the foldable iPhone. As its name implies, OCA is a transparent glue that holds the display together, but the newer version Apple was supposedly testing acted like a flexible cushion.

During usual folding, this special OCA allegedly remains soft and spreads stress across the display. This helps prevent wear from impacting one area of the display over time. The material is also meant to provide support at the display's bend point and maintain the screen's shape under force, as this OCA can supposedly react to sudden pressure shifts.

The use of OCA would also make the crease of the foldable iPhone less noticeable. As the device ages, the material shifts slightly at a microscopic level, filling in tiny imperfections.

Apple's own research efforts, as evidenced by its patents and patent applications, give a more accurate idea of the company's interest in foldable display technology.

iPhone Ultra: More than a decade of research, hinge ideas, and materials analysis

Flip phones were everywhere in the 2000s, until smartphones came along. Fast forward twenty years, and now companies aim to produce phones that are smart, AI-capable, and foldable. Apple is, understandably, among those developing such a device.

Relative to typical smartphones, foldable devices are more difficult to design and manufacture. Their display components need to withstand extensive use. In short, their displays will be folded and unfolded repeatedly, over the course of years.

Understandably, developing and refining this kind of technology takes a lot of time. So far, Apple has spent well over a decade looking into folding screens and their potential applications, as can be seen by the variety of patents and patent applications it has filed.

In July 2014, Apple filed a patent application detailing production methods for an amorphous alloy dubbed "Liquidmetal." This material was mentioned again in a patent from June of the following year, and there are multiple rumors, from multiple sources, saying Apple will use the material for iPhone Ultra hinges.

Apple was granted another foldable-focused patent in January 2015, detailing a portable device made almost exclusively from flexible components. This design would enable force-based gesture input and would allow for larger displays that fold up like a trifold wallet.

Three years later, in February 2018, Apple secured a patent for a dual-screen device with a hinge in the middle. However, the design more closely resembled an iPad or MacBook rather than a folding iPhone.

An April 2020 patent then outlined a design for flexible batteries that could be used alongside "flexible displays" in a future iPhone, presumably a product like the rumored iPhone Ultra.

In December of the same year, an Apple patent application described how geared hinges might strengthen the screen of a folding smartphone. The hinge design described in the patent application would allow an iPhone to fold inwards, akin to a book, and outwards with a wraparound display.

Overall, 2020 was quite an eventful year for Apple's research efforts regarding smartphone displays. The company applied for a variety of patents, with ideas from slidable displays and scroll-like screens to ones featuring articulated hinges.

Yet another Apple patent from 2020 covers self-healing display technology, which would allow iPhone screens to "heal" the inevitable wear and tear. Apple's research efforts could be tied to the scratch-resistant display coating that was supposedly planned for the iPhone 17 lineup but scrapped in April 2025.

Apple's research suggests the company has explored internal screen fold designs with quite complex hinge mechanisms. A February 2023 patent explains how a smartphone display, at its most vulnerable point, would feature added supports. This would let users press down on flexible sections without causing damage to the display.

The company has also put thought into the user interface of the folding iPhone, including how to utilize the extra screen real estate, as is evidenced by an April 2024 patent application. More recently, in March 2026 and June 2026, it was rumored that the first foldable iPhone would offer iPad-like side-by-side multitasking.

Going back to Apple's research efforts, in July 2024 the company secured another patent tied to foldable displays. In it, Apple explains the concept of a glass display that's tapered and directed toward the center. In January of the same year, the company was granted a patent for stretchable displays, too.

Though Apple's various display-related patents and patent applications offer countless ideas as to how to approach the folding iPhone, they're not the only sign that the iPhone Ultra is coming.

Liquidmetal rumors, claims of titanium alloys, and a multitude of hinge-related comments have surfaced over the years.

In March 2025, a decade after Apple's Liquidmetal design patents were published, Ming-Chi Kuo claimed the company would use Liquidmetal for the iPhone Ultra display hinge. The same month, another tipster suggested that the material could be twice as strong as titanium.

Kuo also said in October 2025 that, once the hinge reaches mass production, its average production cost would be around $70 to $80 per hinge. Two companies were reportedly going to manufacture the hinge: long-time Apple supplier Foxconn and Shin Zu Shing, with Luxshare potentially stepping in as well.

In January 2026, a Weibo leaker claimed that Apple would use Liquidmetal for the iPhone Ultra display hinge. This rumor was then reiterated by a different source in June 2026.

Meanwhile, in April 2026, another tipster said that the iPhone Ultra display hinge would be 3D-printed. The endeavor reportedly involved "chip-level high-molecular 3D printing technology, with further developments in the hinge design still to be revealed."

Though this claim might sound strange, Apple already uses 3D printing for components like the iPhone Air's charging port and for Apple Watch casings. A March 2026 rumor similarly claimed Apple was looking to expand its use of 3D printing, with an apparent goal of making iPhone casings using the technology.

The company itself highlighted its 3D printing processes the same month. "We knew 3D-printing was a technology with so much potential for material efficiency, which is critical for getting to Apple 2030," said Apple's VP of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation at the time.

Whether or not the iPhone Fold will ship with a 3D-printed hinge remains to be seen, but a rumor from May 2026 claims the hinge itself will become an industry standard. Rival smartphone makers will reportedly copy Apple's seamless hinge design, assuming it hasn't been patented.

In any case, the hinge will be there to help the display fold and unfold. Some cameras, like the front-facing ones, might only be usable when the phone is unfolded.

iPhone Ultra: camera rumors and alleged sensor specifications

In February 2025, a dubious leak took a stab at the camera specs of the iPhone Ultra. The list included a new ultra-thin "Meta Lens" front-facing camera, with rear Main and Ultra-Wide cameras.

The following month, Ming-Chi Kuo also corroborated the claim that Apple's first foldable phone would have two rear cameras. Kuo added that the internal display would use a hidden under-display camera, similar to those in other foldable device screens, while the external display would have a visible punch-hole camera.

In June 2025, a third tipster chimed in, echoing earlier rumors of the iPhone Ultra featuring two rear cameras. One of them is expected to be a 48MP sensor, possibly the Fusion Camera Apple has used since the standard iPhone 15.

Several months later, in January 2026, analyst Jeff Pu provided additional details about the front-facing cameras. According to Pu, the iPhone Ultra will have two 18MP front-facing cameras, one usable when the device is folded, and the other when folded.

Meanwhile, in August 2026, a leaker with an established track record said the iPhone Ultra would not ship with a telephoto camera. Dummy units and leaked CAD files all seem to corroborate the dual-camera design tipsters have outlined for the iPhone Ultra.

iPhone Ultra: Rumored design, dimensions, colors

Regarding the design of the iPhone Ultra, leakers and analysts have provided specific measurements, and we've also seen both physical dummy units as well as detailed 3D models and CADs.

In March 2025, Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple's foldable iPhone would have a folded thickness of around 9mm to 9.5mm. When opened, its thickness would be in the range of 4.5 mm to 4.8mm.

Appearance-wise, the iPhone Ultra might look like two iPhone Air units side by side, which would explain the rumored thickness. This is per a September 2025 report from a generally reliable leaker.

In August 2025, the same source said the first folding iPhone may also look very similar to the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Additionally, they claimed Apple tested the device in black and white colorways.

Much like the iPhone Air, the iPhone Ultra will supposedly be eSIM-only, meaning it will lack a physical SIM card slot. This is according to the same leaker, though a Weibo tipster said the same thing in December 2025.

Unlike the iPhone Air, however, the iPhone Fold might have an entirely different frame material. Analyst Jeff Pu claimed, in October 2025 and January 2026, that the foldable iPhone will feature a frame made of aluminum rather than titanium.

December 2025 saw the first alleged iPhone Ultra CADs and associated renders leak. They featured exactly what we were to see: an iPhone with two rear cameras that looked like an iPad mini when unfolded.

In February 2026, a Weibo leaker outlined a few design-related details regarding the upcoming foldable iPhone. They said the volume buttons would be on the top right, with the sleep/wake button on the same side in its usual position.

The same source also claimed the camera plateau would be all black rather than colour matched, and that the phone's dual rear cameras would be arranged horizontally. Additionally, they suggested the iPhone Ultra would have a smaller Dynamic Island, and that it would ship in white and another color.

Months later, in March 2026, leaker Sonny Dickson shared supposed iPhone Ultra CADs sourced from case manufacturers.

A month later, in April 2026, Dickson returned, showing physical dummy units with the same design. The dummy units appeared to indicate the iPhone Ultra would not feature MagSafe. The same month, a fake unboxing video surfaced online.

Then, in June 2026, the same leaker posted more detailed dummy units, in both white and black. Days earlier, tipster Ice Universe shared an image of an alleged iPhone Ultra, which could have very well been just another dummy unit.

The same month, a particularly odd rumor surfaced. A Weibo leaker claimed that Apple still hadn't decided on color options for the iPhone Ultra, which obviously did not make sense at the time. The existence of dummy units in two colors made this rumor effectively irrelevant.

Dickson then returned in August 2026 with supposedly color-matched third-party accessories for Apple's foldable phone. He showcased camera lens protectors in silver and dark blue, indicating the iPhone Ultra might ship in these two colors rather than just black and white. Around the same time, leaker Ice Universe shared screen protectors for the upcoming model.

Leaker Evan Blass also commented on the foldable iPhone in August 2026. The leaker shared a mockup of an "exclusive red version" of the iPhone Ultra, though did not state explicitly that the color was going to debut. This may simply be a fan-made concept rather than anything else.

Regardless, all the dummy units and reports we've seen so far are largely consistent. The iPhone Ultra will seemingly be a somewhat wider device, with two rear cameras, an external and internal display, and it will look like an iPad mini when unfolded.

We've also seen plenty of rumors regarding the features and performance of the iPhone Ultra.

iPhone Ultra: Battery, features, performance rumors

Two separate rumors from March 2025 said that Apple's foldable display engineering efforts included a large focus on power efficiency. The intent was, allegedly, to "achieve the goal of slimming the battery by improving the Display Driver Integrated Circuit (DDI)."

One of the tipsters said that the IC driver chips in the foldable screen would be upgraded from a 28-nanometer production process to a 16-nanometer version. This should ultimately result in improved battery life, assuming the effort was successful.

We've also seen rumors regarding the iPhone Ultra battery itself, as a February 2025 report said that Apple would use a 5000mAh "3D Stacked" battery cell system. This rumor was not seen as reliable at the time, though.

More recently, a February 2026 rumor said the iPhone Ultra would have the largest iPhone battery to date, among other things. The source behind the leak also said, instead of Face ID, the iPhone Ultra would feature Touch ID built into the power button on the side.

Ming-Chi Kuo said the same thing regarding Touch ID back in March 2025 and September 2025, as did a Weibo leaker in December 2025, and analyst Jeff Pu in January 2026.

Supposedly, Apple couldn't include Face ID because of the phone's thickness. A January 2026 rumor says the company is thus working on a thinner Face ID module, possibly for the second-generation iPhone Fold.

Apple first used this side-button Touch ID approach in 2020 on the iPad Air 4, at the time calling it an "incredible feat of engineering." It would be easy to imagine this setup on the iPhone Ultra.

As for processing hardware, Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to use the 2nm A20 Pro chip with the WMCM packaging process, according to Jeff Pu in the same January 2026 report. WMCM is short for Wafer-level Multi-Chip Module.

This means the A20 Pro chip will use a new packaging method, rather than Apple's tried-and-true packaging technique, InFo, short for Integrated Fan-Out. Chip packaging represents a process applied to the die of a chip, setting it up to communicate and work with other components on a circuit board.

With the existing A19 Pro chip, the InFo process gives Apple a way of integrating components within a chip package. In short, elements like memory can be added to the chip package directly, rather than being an externally accessed component.

This lets Apple make the overall chip package quite small. Still, it is a technique that's used with a single die. New CPU and GPU combinations require new dies with this method, which could become expensive for Apple.

WMCM represents a different packaging technique that works well with multiple dies. It can fit together separate dies, such as a CPU and GPU, while still keeping the overall package extremely small.

Switching to WMCM would give Apple the freedom to create multiple packaging designs by incorporating different dies, while not massively increasing the cost of making the dies themselves. Using WMCM would reduce reliance on chip binning for different product tiers, but wouldn't have a huge impact on performance, but it

As for the A20 Pro specifically, the system-on-chip is expected to offer a performance boost of between 10% and 15%, relative to the current A19 Pro, according to an October 2024 report.

A year later, an October 2025 rumor outlined that the chip will be made with TSMC's 2nm design, rather than the existing 3nm production process. Smaller transistors should lead to improved efficiency, less heat, and better performance overall.

Apple's use of the WMCM packaging process was also suggested in a December 2025 report. This could give the iPhone Ultra performance somewhat similar to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, which will use the same A20 Pro chip.

Like the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple's foldable iPhone might feature a vapor chamber cooling system, if a July 2026 rumor is to be believed. Meanwhile, in terms of storage, a March 2026 report suggests the iPhone Ultra will be available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options.

Another big tech decision by Apple is the modem of the iPhone Fold, which will be used to communicate with cellular networks. According to Jeff Pu in January 2026, Apple reportedly wants to use its next-generation C2 modem in the iPhone Fold.

The C2 modem will apparently be much closer to the performance of cellular chips from Qualcomm. This is according to an August 2025 rumor from a generally reliable tipster.

In February 2025, Apple's SVP of hardware technologies Johny Srouji said the C1 was the first step towards a "platform for generations." Promising to improve the modem with each generation, Srouji says the modem will help Apple "truly differentiate" the connectivity of its products.

Apple's C1X modem has already made its way to the iPad Pro with the M5 model. It would make sense for Apple to use the C2 in the iPhone Ultra. Given all the hardware that's expected to debut with the foldable iPhone, we can expect some pretty high prices.

iPhone Ultra: Pricing and production rumors

According to an analyst report from March 2025, the iPhone Ultra could ultimately cost around $2300, which was more than the price of a Mac Studio at the time. Ming-Chi Kuo has also provided a price estimate between $2,000 and $2,500.

In April 2025, yet another leaker chimed in, claiming the iPhone Ultra price could be between $2,100 and $2,300. According to a September 2025 report from a tipster with an established track record, Apple's foldable iPhone may end up costing consumers at least $2,000.

A November 2025 analyst forecast again predicted a price ranging from $2,000 to $2,500 for the upcoming foldable iPhone. In March 2026, a Weibo leaker outlined how much the three iPhone Fold configurations could cost.

Per the leaker, the 256GB variant will be priced at $2,325, followed by the 512GB model at $2,645, and the 1TB option at $2,905. The prices listed here were converted from Chinese yuan. The same month, an obscure Weibo leaker said the phone would start at $1,500 for the standard configuration, all the way to $3,000 for the high-end model.

Overall, the consensus is that the iPhone Fold will be priced anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000, making it significantly more expensive than even Apple's current top-of-the-line iPhone models.

In June 2026, Apple raised the prices of its current iPad and Mac lineup, and although the iPhone was spared, the foldable model could still cost even more than initially planned. The industry-wide RAM shortage certainly won't make the phone cheaper.

That aside, a rumor from September 2025 says that the iPhone Ultra will lead a huge upgrade cycle in late 2026. Supposedly, Apple expects the foldable iPhone to see high demand despite its high price tag. The company allegedly briefed suppliers and sought new production options, in anticipation of a 10% increase across all iPhone sales in 2026.

This aligns with a more recent analyst report from December 2025, which claimed worldwide foldable smartphone shipments might rise by 30% year over year in 2026, because of the iPhone Ultra. Another firm similarly claimed that same month that foldable display panel shipments might jump 46% due to the foldable iPhone

Meanwhile, in September 2025, Kuo predicted that, between the first and the rumored second-generation iPhone Fold, Apple could sell 20 million units in 2027.

More recently, in April 2026, a Weibo leaker claimed that Apple might sell 11 million units of the first-generation foldable iPhone, while a July 2026 report from a different source predicted 10 million.

Some are understandably skeptical about the market performance and potential of a foldable iPhone. Still, quite a few analysts and leakers believe it's in the works; there are even rumors of a successor product.

In any case, there's no question that there will be demand for a foldable iPhone. Apple may launch the iPhone Ultra, or iPhone Fold, at its upcoming event on September 9, 2026.