YouTuber Vadim Yuryev of Max Tech has released dummy models of the anticipated foldable iPhone. The images show for the first time exactly how the iPhone Ultra will compare to the iPad mini and iPhone 17 Pro Max – with some surprising details.
Hardware details for the iPhone Ultra are becoming more concrete week by week. Following information about the camera control button and the eSIM-only decision, we now have our first visual comparisons with other Apple products. Vadim Yuryev of Max Tech received dummy models of the foldable iPhone and placed them next to real Apple products. The images reveal a lot about the final design – and give Apple fans a first realistic impression.
Apple dummies are physical mock-ups, usually sourced from the accessories industry. They are manufactured so that case manufacturers can design compatible cases in time for the launch – and therefore give us a fairly accurate impression of size, proportions, and button layout. The images shared by Max Tech confirm key rumors: The iPhone Ultra, when unfolded, is similar in size to an iPad mini and, when folded, has a relatively narrow outer display.
The size when unfolded: almost like an iPad mini
Rumors suggest the iPhone Ultra's inner display will have a 4:3 aspect ratio – like the iPad. When unfolded, it will measure 7.8 inches. For comparison, the iPad mini has an 8.3-inch screen. The difference is therefore small, but the iPhone Ultra will remain slightly smaller.
This is remarkable because Apple is entering a new product segment. The iPad mini was previously the most compact iPad option for on-the-go use. With the iPhone Ultra, Apple has created a device that brings the iPad mini functionality to an iPhone format – and transforms into a tablet when unfolded. For users who currently use both an iPhone and an iPad mini, this device could become an attractive option.
The gaming factor
Compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max in landscape mode, the iPhone Ultra, according to Yuryev, has virtually the same width but a display that is 56.9 percent taller (71 mm versus 111.5 mm). This has concrete practical advantages:
- Video in 16:9 format: Significantly more immersive viewing experience because of fewer black bars.
- Gaming with on-screen controls: The larger display allows more space for virtual buttons and the actual playing field.
- Reading and productivity: More content visible at once, closer to the iPad experience.
Yuryev describes the gaming potential as "awesome" - and that's understandable. Mobile games have increasingly used virtual controls in recent years, which often cover a large portion of the screen. With the iPhone Ultra, players would suddenly have significantly more visible playing area.
The external display: smaller than many expect
The outer display of the iPhone Ultra – the screen you see when the device is folded – is expected to be smaller than most current iPhones, at 5.5 inches. According to The Information, it could even be as small as 5.3 inches. For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display.
There's a reason for this: To keep the foldable device from becoming too large and heavy, Apple had to compromise on the external dimensions. The consequence: Users who primarily work with their iPhone closed will have a smaller display than usual. This could be particularly irritating for users with large hands – but then again, that's precisely why the foldable function exists.
This is important for buyers to know. The iPhone Ultra doesn't simply replace the iPhone 17 Pro Max. It's a different concept: a device that you'll regularly unfold to use the full screen. If you never unfold it, you'll have less display area than with the current Pro Max.
— Vadim Yuryev (@VadimYuryev) April 22, 2026
What else the dummy images reveal
The images also show a side view of the folded device. Three interesting details are visible there:
- Touch ID integrated power button: Apple is bringing back Touch ID – but not in the display, rather in the power button, similar to the iPad Air. This had already been hinted at and is now visually confirmed.
- Camera control button: The button, which Apple retains despite the thin design, is clearly visible in the pictures.
- Extremely thin profile: When folded, the device appears significantly thinner than most current iPhones – which fits with the rumors that the iPhone Ultra will be at least 1.1 millimeters thinner than the already extremely slim iPhone Air.
iPhone Ultra: What buyers should know now
The dummy images are not an official Apple leak – they come from the accessories industry and may not be 100% representative of the final product. However, such dummies have proven relatively reliable in the past. The most important details – size, button positions, and basic proportions – match the previous rumors.
Anyone considering an iPhone Ultra should be aware: it's not a direct replacement for the iPhone Pro Max, but a fundamentally different concept. The folded outer display is intentionally small, while the inner display is almost the size of an iPad mini. Those who regularly use both formats will benefit most from the device. Those who primarily work with the classic iPhone format will hardly find the extra cost worthwhile.
The official unveiling is expected in September 2026 – just a few days after John Ternus officially takes over as CEO. Priced between $2,060 and $2,750, the iPhone Ultra will be the most expensive iPhone ever – but also the one with the most radical new design in years.
For a complete overview of all previous leaks and rumors about the iPhone Ultra, you can find a continuously updated summary of all rumors here. (Image via X / @VadimYuryev)
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