iPhone ultra foldable specs, launch date and price expectations revealed

At a glance:

• Apple’s first foldable, likely called iPhone Ultra, is expected to launch in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series
• The device will have a 5.5‑inch outer display and a 7.8‑inch inner OLED panel with a 4:3 aspect ratio, roughly 56.9% taller than an iPhone 17 Pro Max
• Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the Ultra will cross the $2,000 price threshold in the United States

What the leaked prototype shows

YouTube channel Max Tech’s Vadim Yuryev posted photos and video of a handcrafted dummy that mimics Apple’s rumored book‑style foldable. The inner screen is described as an iPad‑mini‑sized OLED panel, measuring about 7.8 inches diagonally when opened and using a 4:3 aspect ratio, similar to current iPad models. When folded, the outer screen is either 5.3 inches (per The Information) or more commonly quoted at 5.5 inches, putting it just shy of the 5.4‑inch iPhone 13 mini.

The prototype’s dimensions are striking: closed, it is exactly 11 mm thick, which is thicker than some circulating rumors of a 9 mm‑9.5 mm profile but still thin for a foldable. The width matches an iPhone 17 Pro Max in landscape, yet the height of the inner display is 56.9 % greater (71 mm vs. 111.5 mm), promising a more immersive 16:9 video experience and “awesome” gaming with on‑screen controls, according to Yuryev.

Physical design cues and button layout

Yuryev’s dummy reveals a right‑hand side that houses a Touch ID‑integrated power button and a dedicated Camera Control button, while volume buttons run along the top edge, echoing the iPad mini’s layout. Face ID is absent, likely due to space constraints, and Apple appears to be emphasizing the new Camera Control button for one‑handed adjustments.

The back of the device features a raised camera “plateau” that does not span the full width. It contains a two‑lens system rather than the three‑lens arrays seen on recent iPhone Pro models. This design choice may simplify the hinge mechanism while still delivering solid photographic performance.

Expected launch timing and naming

Industry trackers expect Apple to unveil the foldable in September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The latter two are projected to keep the same dimensions as the iPhone 17 Pro series but with a smaller Dynamic Island. A reliable Chinese leaker, Digital Chat Station, has suggested the foldable will be marketed as the “iPhone Ultra,” a name that aligns with Apple’s premium branding strategy.

Pricing outlook

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reported that the iPhone Ultra will “cross the $2,000 threshold” in the U.S. market. While it is unclear whether this figure represents the base price or a higher‑end configuration, the implication is that Apple intends the Ultra to sit at the top of its pricing ladder, potentially outpacing the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s expected launch price.

How the Ultra fits into Apple’s broader roadmap

If the Ultra arrives as described, it would address two long‑standing criticisms of foldable smartphones: durability and usability. The 11 mm closed thickness, combined with a robust camera plateau and Touch ID power button, suggests Apple is prioritising a solid hinge and reliable grip. Moreover, the larger inner display could make the device a viable tablet replacement for power users, expanding Apple’s ecosystem beyond the traditional iPhone‑iPad dichotomy.

What to watch next

Readers should keep an eye on further leaks from Gurman, Digital Chat Station, and other reputable sources as September approaches. Key details to confirm will include the exact price tiers, the final thickness of the opened device (rumored at 4.5 mm), and whether the outer display will indeed be 5.5 inches. The presence or absence of Face ID, as well as the performance of the two‑lens camera system, will also shape early reviewer impressions and consumer demand.