A New Form Factor on the Horizon
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone at a launch event on or around September 9, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, as reported by Fortune and MacRumors. The device, which 9to5Mac reports will be called the iPhone Ultra, represents Apple's first entry into a new product form factor since the Apple Vision Pro in 2023, Fortune noted.
The foldable is said to feature a book-style design with a 5.5-inch outer display and a roughly 7.8-inch inner display, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8, according to multiple outlets including Free Press Journal and MacRumors. Pricing is expected to start above $2,000, with higher storage tiers potentially exceeding $2,500, as reported by Free Press Journal, MacRumors, and others.
Early Testers' Impressions
Gurman, writing in his Power On newsletter, said people who have tried the device like how it fits in a pocket, the feel and durability of its hinge mechanism, and the iPad-like app layouts that take advantage of the larger internal display, according to MacRumors and Fortune. Testers also reportedly noted the device performs well as a camera viewfinder, with strong marks for productivity, video, and gaming, as reported by Free Press Journal and MacRumors.
The hinge, which Business Today said has drawn praise for its durability, may use liquid metal, a strong and light alloy, according to gizchina.com.
Two Notable Compromises
Despite the positive reception, Gurman reported that the foldable will lack a telephoto camera, instead featuring a dual-lens rear setup with a 48-megapixel main camera and an ultra-wide lens, according to 9to5Mac, MacRumors, and others. This omission disappointed some observers, with Gizmodo noting that it places the device alongside the non-Pro iPhone 17, which also lacks a telephoto lens, while the iPhone 17 Pro series offers a 4x telephoto option. The lack of optical zoom means users will rely on cropping for zoomed shots, Gizmodo explained.
The device will also use Touch ID in the side button instead of Face ID, according to multiple reports. Free Press Journal reported that this compromise helps keep the unfolded device at around 4.5mm thick, while 9to5Mac noted that Apple would have needed two sets of Face ID components, one for each display. This will mark Apple's first iPhone without Face ID since the technology debuted in 2017, 9to5Mac reported.
Some testers and commentators expressed concern that these omissions are hard to accept at the expected price point, with gizchina.com questioning whether the 'Ultra' branding should mean giving up such features. The Times of India suggested the authentication change could impact early sales among the ultra-premium audience, while India Today noted that anyone expecting Apple's most expensive iPhone to offer its best camera could be disappointed.
Additional Reported Details
9to5Mac, citing leaked dummy units, reported that the iPhone Ultra will not have an Action button and will be Apple's first iPhone without a mute switch. The side button and Camera Control will be on the right edge, with volume buttons on the top edge, the report said. The same source reported that the device lacks MagSafe support, based on dummy units, though it may offer standard wireless charging similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8.
9to5Mac also reported, citing Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg, that the foldable will be eSIM-only worldwide, a move that would extend Apple's eSIM-only approach to the new device.
Gurman was quoted by PCMag as saying that Apple may raise prices of other iPhones due to rising memory costs, with the company already having raised prices of Macs, iPads, and Vision Pro in June for the same reason.
Market Context and Launch Details
The foldable market currently holds a 1.6% share of the phone market, with China accounting for 10 million unit sales of existing foldables from Google, Huawei, and Samsung, Fortune reported. India Today and Mashable noted that Samsung and Google have years of experience with foldables and advanced camera systems, and The Times of India suggested that increased consumer awareness from Apple's entry could benefit Android manufacturers like Samsung and Google.
Multiple outlets reported that the launch event on or around September 9 will also introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Free Press Journal reported that Apple is expected to announce the event date on August 26.
PCMag reported that the iPhone Ultra will be available in limited supply at launch, and gizchina.com mentioned claims of production problems. India Today and Mashable reported that India may not be among the first markets, with the initial launch focused on markets such as the US.
Gurman was quoted by Fortune as saying the device will be an "ultra-premium device that provides a halo for the full Apple lineup and will be a marketing engine to get people into the company's retail stores," a sentiment echoed by Business Today. Early users have reportedly drawn comparisons to Samsung's existing foldable designs, as noted by Business Today.
With Apple yet to make an official announcement, these details remain based on reports from Gurman and other sources cited across the coverage.