iPhone Ultra: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone To Launch Very Soon- All Your Questions Answered

News tech iPhone Ultra: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone To Launch Very Soon- All Your Questions Answered

iPhone Ultra: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone To Launch Very Soon- All Your Questions Answered

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Last Updated: August 22, 2026, 07:11 IST

iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra could launch in September 2026. Here is everything known as of August 21 about its price and India launch.

Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026.

Apple appears to be finally ready to enter the foldable smartphone market, and its first attempt could be very different from the folding phones that have been available for years. The device is widely being referred to as the iPhone Fold, although the latest reports increasingly point towards iPhone Ultra as the possible commercial name.

After years of rumours, Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026. The phone is tipped to use a book-style folding design, a roughly 7.8-inch internal display, a smaller cover screen, a new hinge system and an unusually thin body.

But this is not expected to be an affordable foldable. Current reports put the possible starting price between $2,000 and $2,500, which could make Apple’s first foldable the most expensive iPhone ever. There are also reports of extremely limited availability at launch because of manufacturing challenges.

iPhone Fold Launch Date: When Could Apple Reveal Its First Foldable?

Apple has not officially announced the foldable iPhone yet. Apple’s iPhone Newsroom archive currently does not list an iPhone Fold announcement, making all launch information unofficial at this stage.

However, the current expectation is that Apple will unveil its first foldable during its September 2026 iPhone event. 9 September 2026 has emerged as the most frequently reported date for Apple’s event, partly because 7 September is the US Labor Day holiday.

The foldable could be shown alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. There is, however, an important difference between announcement and availability.

Reports suggest Apple could announce the foldable in September but release it later, potentially in October. Ming-Chi Kuo has reportedly expected a delayed launch strategy similar to the iPhone X, with manufacturing difficulties potentially limiting early supplies. MacRumors also notes that some reports point to a later launch because of production issues.

iPhone Fold Detail Current Expectation Expected announcement September 2026 Likely Apple event 9 September 2026, according to current reports Possible retail launch September or October 2026 Availability Potentially extremely limited initially Expected starting price $2,000-$2,500

iPhone Fold Or iPhone Ultra: What Will Apple Call It?

The name remains one of the biggest unanswered questions.

iPhone Fold has been the popular name used by the media for years because it immediately explains what the product is. But recent reports increasingly use iPhone Ultra.

Tom’s Guide and other publications now refer to the device as iPhone Ultra, while reports have suggested that “Ultra" is also being used internally at Apple. That does not necessarily mean the retail product will carry that name, however. Apple could still choose another branding strategy when it officially unveils the phone.

The naming decision could be important because Apple is unlikely to want the device positioned simply as an iPhone that folds. The expected price and hardware ambitions suggest that Apple may instead present it as a completely new premium category sitting above the conventional iPhone Pro Max.

iPhone Fold Design: A Wider, Passport-Style Foldable

Unlike the tall and narrow profile of a conventional iPhone, Apple’s foldable is expected to use a shorter and wider book-style design.

When closed, the phone is expected to resemble a relatively compact smartphone. When opened, the two halves could form a much larger, almost square display that behaves more like a small tablet.

Reports suggest the internal display could measure around 7.8 inches, while the external cover display may be approximately 5.4 to 5.5 inches. This would give the device a phone-sized screen for everyday use and a substantially larger screen for productivity, gaming, video and multitasking when unfolded.

The aspect ratio is expected to be closer to a square than a conventional smartphone. That could make the unfolded display particularly useful for reading, editing documents, browsing websites and running two applications at once.

How Thin Will The iPhone Fold Be?

Thickness could be one of Apple’s biggest selling points.

Current reports suggest the device could measure only around 4.5mm to 4.8mm when unfolded. When folded, it could be roughly 9mm to 9.6mm thick, depending on the final construction. Tom’s Guide’s current reported dimensions put the open device at approximately 4.5-4.8mm thick.

If those measurements are accurate, Apple would be placing enormous emphasis on making its first foldable feel less bulky than previous-generation folding phones.

That matters because thickness has remained one of the biggest compromises of foldable smartphones. A conventional phone disappears into a pocket relatively easily, whereas a folded book-style device essentially combines the thickness of two smartphones plus a hinge.

Apple’s challenge will be to reduce that thickness without compromising battery capacity, structural strength or durability.

The Hinge Could Be The Secret Behind Apple’s Foldable

Apple is reportedly developing a specialised hinge designed to reduce the visible crease and allow the two halves of the phone to sit flatter when opened.

Some reports describe the mechanism as a liquid-metal hinge. The combination of the hinge, ultra-thin glass, structural materials and optical adhesive is expected to help Apple minimise the crease that normally appears down the centre of a foldable display.

Apple is reportedly aiming for a crease that is extremely difficult to see rather than merely reducing its size. Reports have even cited engineering targets involving crease depth and angle, although these numbers should be treated as leaked information rather than confirmed specifications.

It is worth remembering that even the latest foldable displays from competing manufacturers can show a crease under certain lighting conditions. So claims that Apple’s display will be completely “crease-free" should be viewed cautiously until independent reviews are available.

iPhone Fold Display: Around 7.8 Inches And Almost Crease-Free

The main folding display is expected to measure about 7.8 inches. This is considerably larger than the display of any current Pro Max iPhone and gives the device a clear tablet-like advantage.

The cover display is expected to be around 5.4 or 5.5 inches. The combination could allow users to perform normal smartphone tasks without opening the device, while the larger internal screen would be available for more demanding work.

The display is expected to use OLED technology, with Samsung Display reportedly involved in supplying panels. Apple’s focus is believed to be on reducing the crease while maintaining the colour accuracy, brightness and responsiveness expected from a premium iPhone.

iPhone Fold Could Ditch Face ID For Touch ID

One of the most surprising potential compromises is biometric authentication.

Reports suggest the iPhone Fold may not use Face ID. Instead, Apple could bring back Touch ID integrated into the power button.

The reason is primarily space. A foldable phone this thin has far less room for the collection of sensors required by Face ID, particularly when Apple is trying to minimise the bezel and keep both displays thin.

The proposed solution is similar to what Apple already uses on some iPad models, where Touch ID is built into the power button.

If Apple really does choose Touch ID, it would be a major departure from its flagship iPhone design philosophy. Face ID has been a defining feature of modern iPhones since the iPhone X.

Two Rear Cameras Instead Of The Pro Max Camera System

Do not expect the iPhone Fold to simply copy the camera system from the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Current leaks consistently point towards two rear cameras, rather than a three-camera Pro arrangement. The likely combination is a main camera and an ultra-wide camera.

The absence of a dedicated telephoto camera would make sense from an engineering perspective. A traditional telephoto system takes up valuable internal space, while Apple’s foldable is expected to prioritise a very thin body.

Some reports suggest both rear cameras could use 48-megapixel sensors. A horizontal camera bar is also expected, with some designs resembling the camera arrangement seen on the iPhone Air.

There could also be two front-facing cameras, one associated with each display. Current rumours suggest 24MP cameras, although the exact configuration remains unconfirmed.

iPhone Fold Processor: A20 Or A20 Pro?

The processor is another area where reports are not completely consistent.

Most current reports expect Apple’s foldable to use the A20 family. Some sources refer specifically to an A20, while others suggest an A20 Pro. The final chip name may depend on how Apple positions the foldable within its product line.

The A20 generation is expected to use a 2nm manufacturing process. The move from 3nm to 2nm could improve both performance and power efficiency by allowing more transistors to be packed into a smaller area.

Some estimates suggest the A20 could be around 15 per cent faster than the previous generation while delivering significantly better efficiency, although Apple has not confirmed these figures.

The efficiency gain could be especially important for a foldable because its large internal display will consume considerably more power than a conventional smartphone screen.

12GB RAM Could Be Important For Apple Intelligence

The iPhone Fold is also expected to have at least 12GB of RAM.

That would make sense for a premium device designed around multitasking and Apple’s increasingly demanding AI features. Apple’s next-generation Apple Intelligence platform is arriving with iOS 27, including a substantially upgraded Siri AI. Apple officially previewed the new AI architecture and Siri improvements at WWDC26.

The larger RAM allocation could help the foldable handle multiple applications, large AI models and demanding multitasking workloads on its 7.8-inch display.

iOS 27 Could Be Reworked For The Foldable

Hardware alone will not make the iPhone Fold successful. Apple’s biggest challenge could be software.

iOS was originally designed around a relatively narrow range of conventional iPhone screen sizes. A foldable introduces two fundamentally different displays and a hinge that can sit at different angles.

Apple is reportedly working on an “app adaptability" system that will allow applications to adjust automatically between screen sizes. This should make it possible for an app to transition from the cover display to the larger internal screen without simply stretching the existing interface.

There are also references in iOS 27 beta software to concepts such as fold state and hinge angle. If these features ship, the operating system could recognise whether the phone is closed, partially open or completely unfolded.

That could allow Apple to create its own version of the multitasking features already seen on Samsung’s foldables.

Could The iPhone Fold Work Like A Mini iPad?

Potentially, yes.

When completely unfolded, the roughly 7.8-inch screen would provide significantly more room for multiple applications. Apple could introduce a more powerful multitasking interface than the one currently available on the iPhone.

A partially folded phone could also create new use cases. One side could display video while the other handles controls, or one section could act as a control panel while another displays content.

Apple has an advantage here because it already has years of experience designing iPadOS interfaces for larger touchscreens. The challenge will be bringing some of that flexibility to iOS without making the foldable feel like an iPad squeezed into an iPhone.

Battery: A Big Question For Apple’s Foldable

Battery capacity is still uncertain, but reports suggest Apple is working hard to provide a large battery despite the slim body.

One current estimate puts the battery at around 4,883mAh, while other reports have suggested capacities closer to or above 5,000mAh. The conflicting numbers mean the final capacity should not be treated as confirmed.

Apple could potentially use newer high-density battery technology to fit more capacity into the limited internal space. Silicon-carbon battery technology is also becoming more common in premium foldables, although there is no confirmation that Apple will use it.

The A20’s expected efficiency improvements could be just as important as battery capacity. A more efficient processor could help offset the power requirements of the large folding display.

Apple C2 Modem Could Make The Foldable More Efficient

The iPhone Fold is also expected to use Apple’s next-generation C2 modem.

Apple has been moving towards greater control over modem technology, and the C2 could be an important part of that strategy. A more efficient modem could help reduce power consumption, which would be valuable in a thin foldable phone where internal space is at a premium.

The exact 5G speeds and connectivity capabilities have not been confirmed.

Expected iPhone Fold Specifications

Specification Expected Details Product name iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra Launch Expected September/October 2026 Cover display About 5.4-5.5 inches Internal display About 7.8 inches Design Book-style, wider passport-like form factor Open thickness About 4.5-4.8mm, according to reports Closed thickness About 9-9.6mm Processor A20/A20 Pro, reportedly 2nm RAM 12GB rumoured Rear cameras Dual 48MP cameras rumoured Front cameras 24MP cameras rumoured Biometrics Touch ID reportedly built into power button Modem Apple C2 Battery About 4,883mAh in one current report; other estimates differ Software iOS 27 Expected price $2,000-$2,500

iPhone Fold Price: Apple Could Charge More Than $2,000

Price could be the biggest obstacle for Apple’s first foldable.

Early reports suggested a starting price of around $2,000. More recent estimates have moved higher, with some reports putting the expected price at $2,400-$2,500. Tom’s Guide currently cites a $2,000-$2,500 range.

At the upper end, the iPhone Fold would cost substantially more than the iPhone 18 Pro Max and would become Apple’s most expensive mainstream iPhone.

Apple may justify the price through the specialised display, hinge, compact construction, premium materials and high development costs associated with its first foldable.

iPhone Fold Price In India: What Could It Cost?

Apple has not announced Indian pricing, and there is currently no reliable official figure for the country.

However, if the US price starts around $2,000-$2,500, Indian pricing could be significantly higher after accounting for currency conversion, import duties, taxes and Apple’s regional pricing strategy.

That means an Indian launch price potentially moving into the ₹2 lakh-plus range would not be surprising. This is an estimate rather than a leaked Apple price, and the final figure could be considerably different.

The phone may also initially be sold in a limited number of markets because supply is expected to be constrained.

Why Could iPhone Fold Supply Be So Limited?

Apple is entering a manufacturing category it has never shipped before at scale.

A foldable iPhone requires specialised displays, a complex hinge, ultra-thin glass and a compact internal layout. Reports suggest that these manufacturing challenges could limit production in the early months.

One current report says suppliers could need several months to fulfil Apple’s initial production target, while other reports have described initial availability as “extremely limited".

This means Apple could announce the product in September but sell it in much smaller numbers than the iPhone 18 Pro models.

What Apple Could Sacrifice To Make The Foldable This Thin

The iPhone Fold is not expected to be a simple upgrade over the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Instead, Apple may have made several compromises to achieve the thin folding design.

The most obvious could be the camera system. A dual-camera setup would be less versatile than the triple-camera system expected on the Pro Max, particularly for long-range photography.

The phone could also lose Face ID in favour of Touch ID. MagSafe is another feature that has been mentioned as a possible omission in some reports, although this remains unconfirmed.

In other words, Apple could be positioning the foldable as a different type of premium iPhone rather than simply the most powerful iPhone in every category.

iPhone Fold Vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Which Will Be The Real Flagship?

Feature iPhone Fold/Ultra iPhone 18 Pro Max Main screen About 7.8-inch foldable About 6.9-inch OLED Cover screen About 5.4-5.5-inch Not applicable Rear cameras Two cameras rumoured Triple-camera system expected Telephoto Possibly absent Expected Biometrics Touch ID rumoured Face ID expected Thickness Potentially 4.5-4.8mm unfolded Traditional smartphone design Processor A20/A20 Pro rumoured A20 Pro expected Primary advantage Large foldable display and portability Cameras, performance and conventional smartphone design Price $2,000-$2,500 rumoured Expected to be considerably cheaper

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Key Questions Answered Powered by Ask News18 Will the iPhone Ultra replace the Pro Max as Apple's top phone? The iPhone Ultra is expected to occupy the top end of Apple's smartphone portfolio, allowing the company to absorb rising component costs while preserving the appeal of its mainstream devices. This strategy could help Apple generate higher margins from luxury buyers without alienating its broader customer base. How will iOS 27 adapt to the foldable iPhone's unique design? iOS 27 is expected to include full-screen widgets, support for side-by-side app multitasking, and redesigned sidebar interfaces. The software will also adapt its interface based on the hinge angle of the device, with references in the code to "foldState" and "angleDegrees". Additionally, iOS 27 beta code hints at support for multiple batteries within a single device. Could the iPhone Ultra's high price limit its market appeal? The iPhone Ultra's high price, estimated to start around $2,300 to $2,500, could limit its market appeal. However, some reports suggest that demand for the device will remain strong despite the high asking price. Powered by Ask News18

First Published: August 22, 2026, 07:11 IST

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