Apple’s foldable iPhone has spent years in rumor territory. Now the paper trail is getting crowded.
Software clues, supplier activity, and fresh accounts from people who handled pre-release units are filling in details that were missing only months ago.
Apple has not confirmed the device, its specifications or even the rumored “iPhone Ultra” name. But the accumulating reports suggest buyers could be looking at a book-style foldable costing around $2,000 or more.
Pre-release units reach people outside Apple
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says people outside Apple have used pre-release versions of the foldable, where early users reportedly praised its pocketability and hinge sturdiness.
Software has left its own clues. Earlier iOS 27 code referenced hinge angles and multiple built-in displays, and later files included an internal Apple device code previously linked to the foldable iPhone.
Samsung Display has also started producing OLED panels for the device.
Apple’s foldable could open into a 7.8-inch screen
Unlike a clamshell, Apple’s foldable model is expected to open like a book. Reports describe a short, wide device that works as a conventional phone when closed and opens into a small tablet-like screen.
| Design detail | Current reports suggest |
|---|---|
| Outer display | About 5.5 inches |
| Inner display | About 7.8 inches |
| Unfolded thickness | About 4.5 mm |
| Biometrics | Side-button Touch ID |
| Display crease | Reduced |
| Colors | Silver or white and dark blue or indigo |
Face ID is expected to be replaced by Touch ID in the side button, freeing up internal space in the thin chassis. Earlier iPhone Ultra design reports also described the open phone in a short, wide form.
Cameras and internal specifications are starting to settle
Reports point to two 48MP rear cameras, likely pairing a main sensor with an ultrawide. Current leaks do not indicate a dedicated telephoto camera, while details about the front-facing camera remain less consistent.
| Specification | Current expectation |
|---|---|
| Processor | A20 Pro |
| Memory | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB |
| Battery | Dual-cell design |
| Modem | Apple C2 |
| SIM | eSIM expected |
Battery capacity is still uncertain. iOS 27 code refers to multiple batteries, but estimates range from a combined 4,883mAh to roughly 5,800mAh.
iOS 27 is expected to support iPad-style layouts
Apple is reportedly preparing iOS 27 to use the larger inner display for side-by-side apps and iPad-style layouts. Apps would resize as users move between the outer and inner screens. The device would remain on iOS.
People who tested pre-release units responded well to the iPad-style interface and larger camera viewfinder. Earlier details on iPad-style multitasking also said Apple was preparing layouts suited to the wider screen.
Pricing could start around $2,000
Price estimates commonly place Apple’s foldable around $2,000 to $2,500, with higher storage configurations potentially costing more. Apple has not confirmed pricing.
A September unveiling alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is widely expected. Apple has not announced the event date or retail availability, and earlier production reporting suggests initial supply could still be limited.
If you regularly move between an iPhone and a compact tablet, the Ultra could combine more of that use in one device. Think about where the larger inner display would fit into your day, whether that is reading, multitasking, travel, or work, before deciding whether the higher price is worth paying.
Independent reviews should answer some of the biggest remaining questions about battery life and hinge durability. Repair pricing, warranty terms, and how smoothly apps move between displays could also affect whether the Ultra works well as an everyday phone.
More Apple News: The company’s latest security fixes address 29 vulnerabilities that could put iPhone, iPad, and Mac users at risk.
Read the full article here
