Online discussions are gaining momentum around Apple’s first foldable smartphone, which is currently being informally referred to as the iPhone Ultra. According to industry insiders, the device could be unveiled in autumn 2026 at Apple’s traditional September keynote, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Preliminary information suggests the iPhone Ultra will adopt a “passport” form factor — a short and wide clamshell body with a main foldable display of roughly 7.8 inches and an outer screen of about 5.4–5.5 inches. The aspect ratio is expected to be close to 4:3, effectively turning the gadget into a hybrid between a smartphone and a compact tablet.
Insiders believe the chassis may combine titanium and aluminium to improve durability while reducing weight. Rumours point to a thickness of around 4.5 mm when unfolded and 9–9.6 mm when folded, with a weight of about 229–240 g. The rear panel is expected to feature just two main camera modules, arranged horizontally on a raised section similar to that of the iPhone Air.
Sources separately highlight Apple’s ambition to deliver a screen with no visible crease. To achieve this, the company is reportedly considering a liquid metal hinge, ultra-thin glass, a glass mid-frame and a special transparent adhesive to minimise the depth and angle of the display’s “break” when it bends.
From a technical standpoint, the iPhone Ultra is rumoured to be equipped with an A20 processor manufactured using TSMC’s 2 nm process. It is expected to have at least 12 GB of RAM, which should ensure full support for new Siri artificial intelligence features. According to leaks, the battery capacity could be around 4,883 mAh, split into two modules on either side of the folding structure.
The cameras, based on the available information, will consist of two 48 MP main modules (wide and ultra-wide), with no separate telephoto lens due to thickness constraints. The front cameras may have a resolution of around 24 MP; Apple is said to be considering options with a standard punch-hole at the top of the screen and even an under-display module for the inner display. Instead of Face ID on the outer screen, a Touch ID fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button is being mooted.
On the software side, rumours link the iPhone Ultra to iOS 27. Test builds of the system reportedly contain references to “foldstate” and “angledegrees”, which may indicate support for detecting the hinge position and modes similar to competitors’ Flex Mode, where the display is split into two zones when partially folded. Apple has also spoken about “adaptive apps”, intended to help software run correctly on both the large inner and the smaller outer display.
As for the appearance, leaks point to understated colours — black or dark grey, as well as silver or white. Some sources do not rule out a colour similar to the Deep Blue of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The question of the device’s name remains open. Recent reports increasingly use the iPhone Ultra designation, although some analysts doubt Apple will ultimately go with this option rather than something more descriptive like iPhone Fold. At the same time, it is reported that within the company the device is already being referred to as “Ultra”, so the final decision may only be revealed during the presentation.
The launch timeline also remains unclear. Some sources claim the device will go on sale alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, while others suggest a possible delay until the end of the year due to production challenges and a limited first batch. The expected price is rumoured to be around US$2,000–2,500, with the latest forecasts more often citing a range of US$2,400–2,500.
For now, until Apple officially unveils its first foldable smartphone, all information is based solely on leaks and analyst projections. The final design, specifications, name and price will only be known after the announcement, which is anticipated in autumn 2026.