The Rise of "iPhone Ultra": Everything We Know About Apple’s First Foldable FlagshipDespite earlier rumors of production delays, fresh leaks suggest that Apple is moving full steam ahead with its first-ever foldable device. Slated for a potential September 2026 debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, this new flagship is shaping up to be the most expensive and ambitious iPhone in history.
Key Leaks & Rumors (April 2026):
The "Ultra" Branding: According to a credible source on Weibo, Digital Chat Station, Apple is likely to move away from the "iPhone Fold" moniker. Instead, the device will be branded as the "iPhone Ultra," aligning it with Apple’s top-tier product lines like the Apple Watch Ultra and the M-series Ultra chips.
The $2,000 Threshold: Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has addressed the production rumors, stating that development is progressing. However, he warns that "Ultra" comes with an ultra-price tag. The device is expected to start at over $2,000, with some configurations potentially reaching $2,300 to $2,700 depending on storage tiers.
Physical Design & Dummies: Noted leaker Sonny Dickson has shared images of early dummy units. When placed next to the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, the "iPhone Ultra" features a wider, book-style form factor. Notably, the dummy units show a horizontal dual-camera array rather than the triple-lens setup found on the Pro models, suggesting a focus on thinness over camera bulk.
Samsung as the Sole Provider: Industry reports from The Elec indicate that Apple has signed a 3-year exclusive deal with Samsung Display. Samsung will be the sole supplier of the foldable OLED panels until at least 2028, using advanced CoE (Color filter on Encapsulation) technology to reduce the display's thickness and crease.
With a rumored 7.7-7.8 inch screen, the iPhone Ultra will become a direct competitor to the iPad mini. Apple's decision to pack flagship specs (likely the A20 chip) into a pocket-sized foldable device is an attempt to redefine true "mobile productivity."
Apple's exclusive partnership with Samsung is due to their technology for minimizing the folding edge. Rumors suggest Apple is testing a special dual-layer glass structure combined with a titanium body to achieve a thickness of only 4.5 mm when unfolded, thinner than almost all competitors.
Interestingly, the iPhone Ultra may not feature Face ID, instead utilizing Touch ID on the power button for convenient use both when folded and unfolded, eliminating the distracting notch or hole in the screen when used as a tablet.
The $2,000+ pricing clearly indicates this is a luxury/prosumer product. Apple isn't aiming for massive sales with the first model (estimated shipments of only 3 million units), but rather to create a "halo effect" to showcase technological superiority and attract high-end users from the Android market.
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Source: MacRumors
The Rise of "iPhone Ultra": Everything We Know About Apple’s First Foldable FlagshipDespite earlier rumors of production delays, fresh leaks suggest that Apple is moving full steam ahead with its first-ever foldable device. Slated for a potential September 2026 debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, this new flagship is shaping up to be the most expensive and ambitious iPhone in history.
Key Leaks & Rumors (April 2026):
The "Ultra" Branding: According to a credible source on Weibo, Digital Chat Station, Apple is likely to move away from the "iPhone Fold" moniker. Instead, the device will be branded as the "iPhone Ultra," aligning it with Apple’s top-tier product lines like the Apple Watch Ultra and the M-series Ultra chips.
The $2,000 Threshold: Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has addressed the production rumors, stating that development is progressing. However, he warns that "Ultra" comes with an ultra-price tag. The device is expected to start at over $2,000, with some configurations potentially reaching $2,300 to $2,700 depending on storage tiers.
Physical Design & Dummies: Noted leaker Sonny Dickson has shared images of early dummy units. When placed next to the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, the "iPhone Ultra" features a wider, book-style form factor. Notably, the dummy units show a horizontal dual-camera array rather than the triple-lens setup found on the Pro models, suggesting a focus on thinness over camera bulk.
Samsung as the Sole Provider: Industry reports from The Elec indicate that Apple has signed a 3-year exclusive deal with Samsung Display. Samsung will be the sole supplier of the foldable OLED panels until at least 2028, using advanced CoE (Color filter on Encapsulation) technology to reduce the display's thickness and crease.
With a rumored 7.7-7.8 inch screen, the iPhone Ultra will become a direct competitor to the iPad mini. Apple's decision to pack flagship specs (likely the A20 chip) into a pocket-sized foldable device is an attempt to redefine true "mobile productivity."
Apple's exclusive partnership with Samsung is due to their technology for minimizing the folding edge. Rumors suggest Apple is testing a special dual-layer glass structure combined with a titanium body to achieve a thickness of only 4.5 mm when unfolded, thinner than almost all competitors.
Interestingly, the iPhone Ultra may not feature Face ID, instead utilizing Touch ID on the power button for convenient use both when folded and unfolded, eliminating the distracting notch or hole in the screen when used as a tablet.
The $2,000+ pricing clearly indicates this is a luxury/prosumer product. Apple isn't aiming for massive sales with the first model (estimated shipments of only 3 million units), but rather to create a "halo effect" to showcase technological superiority and attract high-end users from the Android market.
Claude New Word Add-in Protects Your Formatting and Privacy.
Source: MacRumors
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