Apple is preparing to shake up the smartphone world with its first-ever foldable device: the iPhone Ultra. While Android brands have dominated the foldable space for years, Apple is poised to enter the arena with a premium, passport-style device that mimics an iPad mini.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has revealed crucial details about what to expect from this ultra-premium foldable, including its design, trade-offs, and killer advantage.
What to Expect From the Hardware
The iPhone Ultra is rumored to feature a 5.5-inch cover screen and a massive 7.8-inch main display. To solve the notorious "crease" issue that has plagued competitors, Apple is reportedly utilizing a robust Liquid Metal hinge with a teardrop internal cavity to improve durability and ease mechanical strain over time.
However, early adopters will have to accept some clear hardware trade-offs:
- No Telephoto Zoom: The device is expected to feature only a main wide camera and an ultra-wide shooter, limiting users to digital zoom.
- No Face ID: The foldable will likely skip Face ID in favor of Touch ID (similar to the iPad and Mac).
- MagSafe Included: Fortunately, Apple has managed to retain built-in magnets for seamless wireless charging and accessory attachment.
The Eye-Watering Price Tag
Make no mistake: this is not a device designed for the average consumer. Gurman characterizes the iPhone Ultra as the "ultimate status symbol" rather than a daily necessity.
The price tag is expected to start at a staggering $2,000, potentially climbing to $2,500 depending on storage. To ease the financial blow, Apple will reportedly leverage its Apple Upgrade leasing program to offer lower monthly costs.
Despite the high price, market analysts are optimistic. IDC predicts over 10 million shipments in the first year alone, and Counterpoint Research suggests Apple could capture a quarter of the global foldable market shortly after launch.
Apple's "Day One" Killer Advantage
Where Apple plans to truly crush the Android competition—such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series—is software. For nearly a decade, Android foldables have struggled with unoptimized, stretched-out social media and productivity apps.
Apple is eliminating this headache from day one. Leveraging updated developer tools, the iPhone Ultra will seamlessly run iPad-like app layouts, allowing side-by-side multitasking, drag-and-drop capability, and automatic app resizing.
With a wide landscape-optimized layout, the device is being positioned as an absolute powerhouse for watching videos, web browsing, and mobile gaming. The iPhone Ultra is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup without any major supply chain delays.
