{"id":64374,"date":"2026-08-03T16:59:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T14:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=64374"},"modified":"2026-08-03T17:09:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T15:09:10","slug":"iphone-fold-all-rumors-and-facts-at-a-glance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/en\/allgemein\/iphone-fold-alle-geruechte-und-fakten-im-ueberblick","title":{"rendered":"iPhone Ultra (iPhone Fold): All rumors and facts at a glance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple is launching its first foldable iPhone \u2013 and doing so as a perfectionist, not a pioneer. The iPhone Ultra is designed to unfold into a book-like form, feature an inner display the size of an iPad mini, and address the shortcomings of its competitors. It will be unveiled in September 2026, with a price tag exceeding $2,000.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foldable smartphones have been around for years; Samsung and Huawei established the form factor. Apple has watched \u2013 not a sign of backwardness, but rather their usual strategy: wait until the technology is viable and then enter the market with a device that redefines the category. Current reports suggest that Apple is addressing the three issues that have hampered existing foldables: the visible crease, the durability of the hinge, and battery life. The device is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman calls the device the most significant overhaul in iPhone history, placing it on par with the iPhone 4, iPhone 6, and iPhone X. Whether Apple can live up to this hype remains to be seen. The technical specifications certainly sound promising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Facts at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Detail<\/th>Expectation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Name<\/td>iPhone Ultra (instead of \u201eiPhone Fold\u201c)<\/td><\/tr>
Form factor<\/td>Foldable in book format, large internal display \u2013 no clamshell<\/td><\/tr>
Displays<\/td>External dimensions approximately 5.3\u20135.5 inches, internal dimensions approximately 7.7\u20137.8 inches (about the size of an iPad mini)<\/td><\/tr>
Thickness<\/td>Unfolded: 4.8 mm, folded: 9\u20139.5 mm<\/td><\/tr>
Folding display<\/td>Samsung OLED (M16), Dual-Layer UTG, significantly reduced crease<\/td><\/tr>
Cameras<\/td>Four lenses: 2\u00d7 48 MP (wide + ultrawide, no telephoto), front external camera, camera under the internal display<\/td><\/tr>
Unlock<\/td>Side Touch ID button, no Face ID<\/td><\/tr>
Chip \/ Modem<\/td>A20, Apple's C2 modem (mmWave in the US)<\/td><\/tr>
SIM<\/td>Worldwide only eSIM, no SIM card slot<\/td><\/tr>
Memory \/ RAM<\/td>256GB, 512GB, 1TB; 12GB RAM<\/td><\/tr>
Battery \/ Cooling<\/td>Approximately 4,800\u20135,000 mAh (dual-cell); vapor chamber despite thin casing<\/td><\/tr>
MagSafe<\/td>Unclear \u2013 no ring visible on dummy models<\/td><\/tr>
Colors<\/td>Initially, only black and white are expected.<\/td><\/tr>
Price<\/td>Over $2,000; estimates range from around $2,060 to over $3,000.<\/td><\/tr>
Introduction<\/td>September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models<\/td><\/tr>
Sales launch<\/td>Expected fourth quarter of 2026 (staggered, limited quantities)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Name: iPhone Ultra instead of iPhone Fold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a long time, Apple's foldable iPhone was referred to in media reports as the "iPhone Fold." The Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claimed the device would be released as the "iPhone Ultra." Shortly afterward, Instant Digital confirmed this assessment, listing the fall lineup as iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision fits into Apple's brand strategy. The term is already used for the Apple Watch Ultra, the M1 Ultra and M3 Ultra chips, and CarPlay Ultra. It had previously been reported that Apple would extend the designation to other product lines<\/a>. The foldable iPhone would thus not be a niche product, but rather the premium flagship of the entire iPhone line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design: Book format instead of clamshell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Form factor and dimensions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone Ultra follows a book-like design, opening like a book to reveal a large inner display. This makes it similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and fundamentally different from the compact clamshell design of the Galaxy Z Flip. According to Instant Digital, Apple initially considered a flip design but abandoned the plans because the form factor would not have offered compelling new uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo provides specific figures regarding the dimensions: 9 to 9.5 mm when folded, and 4.5 to 4.8 mm when unfolded. Instant Digital recently clarified that the minimum thickness when unfolded is 4.8 mm \u2013 making the device at least 1.1 mm thinner than the iPhone Air. Leaked dimensions indicate a height of approximately 120.6 mm and a width of around 83.8 mm when closed, making the device significantly more compact but wider than current iPhones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dummy models confirm the format<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In early April 2026, leaker Sonny Dickson published the first photos of dummy models alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The non-functional prototypes confirmed the wider, almost square format when closed and matched earlier CAD drawings. A subsequent video showed the devices in motion<\/a>, confirming the aspect ratio reminiscent of a mini-tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Size
Image: Sonny Dickson \/ X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Button layout and camera control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone Ultra's button layout differs from current models. The volume buttons are positioned at the top right, similar to the iPad mini, while the power button remains on the right side. A camera cutout, similar to the iPhone Air, is located on the left side of the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the extremely slim design, the camera control button remains. Apple sees a practical problem with existing foldable devices: due to the device's size, many users find adjusting camera settings cumbersome. Internally, the company admits that the implementation of the button on the slim iPhones was a mixed bag \u2013 but its usefulness is significantly greater in the foldable design, which is why it remains at the expense of valuable internal space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Display: Two screens for two usage modes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor and indoor screen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When folded, an external screen is available, resembling a classic iPhone display and intended for everyday tasks. Unfolded, a large, iPad-style internal display unfolds. A report from The Information cites 5.3 inches on the outside and 7.7 inches on the inside, while other sources report 5.5 and 7.8 inches respectively \u2013 it's currently unclear which figure is correct. Sources agree, however, that the unfolded display is roughly the size of an iPad mini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When unfolded, an iPad-like interface will be activated, including multitasking with two apps side-by-side<\/a>. iOS 27 is specifically optimized for this form factor. However, it won't be a full-fledged iPadOS with a windowing system, but rather a modified iPhone version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resolution and screen protection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rumors suggest the internal display will be roughly the size of an A6 sheet of paper with a resolution of 2,713 \u00d7 1,920 pixels. The external display is said to have a resolution of 2,088 \u00d7 1,422 pixels. Apple is reportedly using a transparent polyimide film as a protective layer on ultra-thin glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Chat Station describes a dual-layer structure made of ultra-thin glass (UTG): The display is sandwiched between two layers of glass and thus does not come into direct contact with the hinge mechanism. This arrangement distributes the mechanical stress across multiple layers, which is intended to improve both durability and reduce the risk of crease buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samsung supplies the foldable display exclusively<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The display question has been settled: According to The Elec, Apple has signed an exclusive contract with Samsung Display for foldable OLED panels. The contract runs for three years and excludes other suppliers, as there are currently no comparable alternatives. Samsung is relying on its latest M16 OLED panel, which offers improvements in brightness, color reproduction, lifespan, and energy efficiency \u2013 earlier reports had expected the iPhone 17 Pro Max to use the M14 materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panel also utilizes CoE technology: the polarizer is eliminated, and the color filter layer is applied directly to the encapsulation. This is standard for foldable devices because the polarizer can cause cracks at bending points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Production has moved beyond the contractual level. Samsung Display has received approval for module production \u2013 a qualification step that presupposes mass production readiness. Apple's threshold was a yield of at least 70 percent; over 80 percent has been achieved. Back-end manufacturing is taking place at the Vietnamese factory, where around 50 of the approximately 80 production lines are active; the initial order comprises around three million panels, which are expected to revitalize the market for foldable displays overall<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visibility of the crease: Apple's technical trick<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The visible crease in the middle of the inner screen is one of the most persistent problems with foldable smartphones. Ming-Chi Kuo initially promised a virtually crease-free inner display. Mark Gurman later qualified this, stating that Apple significantly reduces the crease but does not eliminate it completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More concrete figures come from production sources. The folding depth is said to be less than 0.15 mm, the folding angle less than 2.5 degrees \u2013 a significant improvement over the competition. The solution consists of two components: a metal plate that distributes the stress generated during bending, and liquid metal in the hinge, which is intended to improve both durability and the folding appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Housing and hinge: Durable materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Titanium, stainless steel or liquid metal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Titanium is being discussed for the casing, and a combination of titanium and stainless steel for the hinge. The frame is said to be made of a titanium alloy to prevent deformation \u2013 the same solution used in the iPhone Air. Analyst Jeff Pu, however, expects a combination of aluminum and titanium; the exact material mix is therefore not definitively settled among analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hinge material has been subject to some back and forth recently. At the beginning of 2025, there was talk of liquid metal with Dongguan EonTec as the exclusive supplier<\/a> \u2013 an amorphous alloy with a high strength-to-weight ratio, suitable for a component that opens hundreds of thousands of times over the device's lifespan. In April, this plan was reversed in favor of a 3D-printed titanium alloy, and the latest production report supports this option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of liquid metal would certainly be noteworthy: Apple has held the worldwide exclusive license for such alloys since 2010, but has so far only used the material in very small parts such as the SIM card eject tool. A load-bearing hinge would be by far the most demanding application. In mass production, the hinge is expected to have a retail price of around 70 to 80 US dollars, significantly below the original market expectations of 100 to 120 US dollars \u2013 Kuo attributes this to an optimized assembly design and Foxconn's influence on scaling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hinge problems apparently solved<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For a long time, the hinge was considered the riskiest component. A report by The Elec identifies the specific weaknesses: After millions of durability tests, a faint noise was heard from the mechanism, and tolerances in some assembly steps were larger than expected, increasing the reject rate. This is consistent with additive manufacturing, which allows for more complex geometries but places higher demands on dimensional accuracy in series production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These problems are now considered largely resolved<\/a>. The hinge modules come from two suppliers: the Taiwanese company Shinjuxing and the US manufacturer Amphenol. This removes what is likely the last major technical obstacle to an autumn launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iOS 27 paves the way for the foldable format<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tell-tale strings in the code<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At WWDC on June 8, 2026, Apple didn't showcase a foldable device, but several signals from iOS 27 point in that direction. Two strings appeared in the frameworks that directly reference foldable hardware: \"foldState\" and \"angleDegrees,\" meaning the folding state and opening angle. A third finding, a new key for the total number of built-in displays, suggests that the software foundation is being prepared for more than one integrated screen<\/a>. These references were not present in iOS 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With iOS 27 Beta 4, another piece of code was discovered. For the first time, battery health status messages contained phrases referring to the batteries of an iPhone in the plural<\/a> \u2013 one message confirms the normal operation of the cells, while another warns of declining health in multiple batteries. This means that the information previously only known from supplier registrations is now included in the operating system as delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple's appeal to developers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The call to move away from apps designed for fixed devices and orientations, and instead aim for a dynamic range of sizes and aspect ratios, was particularly strong at the Platforms State of the Union. Specifically, Apple introduced scalable iOS apps for iPhone mirroring and iPad: anyone building against the latest SDK automatically activates scalability. In addition, there's a scalable simulator and previews in Xcode that allow users to test layouts across different screen sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Landscape format for significantly more apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another key element is the expanded landscape mode support. A whole range of pre-installed apps now run in landscape mode under iOS 27, including Apple Music, Podcasts, Fitness, Health, Reminders, Home, Shortcuts, Find My, Weather, and Voice Memos. Many of these display a left-aligned sidebar \u2013 precisely the iPad-like layout that would be used on the large inner display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apple
Image: Apfelpatient<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Live activities in the Dynamic Island also support landscape mode, so timers, delivery status, and sports scores remain usable when the device is held sideways. None of these steps would be proof on their own. Taken together, they paint a picture of a company that is adapting its software to the new form factor long before the hardware's debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cameras: Four lenses without telephoto zoom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone Ultra is expected to have four cameras. On the back are two 48-megapixel lenses \u2013 a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle camera. A telephoto camera is missing, meaning the setup is on par with the iPhone 17, not the Pro models. In addition, there's a front-facing camera on the outer display and a camera under the inner display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another leak suggests that Apple is systematically analyzing the competition: The US imaging team reportedly traveled to Shenzhen to test the cameras of competing foldable phones \u2013 with a particular focus on telephoto zoom. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 typically offer three rear cameras, including a telephoto lens. A telephoto camera in later Ultra generations<\/a> is therefore conceivable, but not planned for the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The front camera of the outer screen is said to be a punch-hole design, located in the upper left corner according to The Information. This placement allows for taking photos and making calls in both states without a camera interrupting the valuable inner display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MagSafe: May not be on board<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No MagSafe ring is visible on the back of the leaked dummy models, while it is clearly visible on the dummies of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. If the final device does indeed do without MagSafe, that would be a surprising concession in this price range \u2013 even the cheaper iPhone 17e supports the standard. It remains possible that the feature will be added to the final product; dummy models don't always reveal all the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authentication: Touch ID instead of Face ID<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most surprising design decisions concerns the unlocking method. Both Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman report that the iPhone Ultra does without Face ID. Instead, it uses a side-mounted Touch ID button, similar to those Apple uses on the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason is practical: Space is extremely limited inside a foldable case, and the sensors required for Face ID would take up too much of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile communications: Apple's second-generation modem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For its cellular connection, the iPhone Ultra uses Apple's second-generation C2 modem. The C1 was first used in the iPhone 16e, followed by the C1X in the iPhone Air. The C2 is said to be faster overall and, for the first time in the US, supports mmWave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be no SIM card tray in any region. The supply chain contains no indication of tools or stockpiles for SIM modules \u2013 the device supports only eSIM worldwide, including in China. This follows the iPhone Air, which was the first iPhone to do without a tray globally. For users in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, this isn't a major change, as all major providers support eSIM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battery: Efficiency instead of record capacity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The battery capacity is expected to be between 4,800 and 5,000 mAh \u2013 solid for a foldable, but not an iPhone record. Apple aims to achieve usable battery life primarily through efficiency: high-density cells, slimmer internal components, and a more compact display driver that frees up space for battery cells. Combined with the energy-efficient C2 modem, this promises decent battery life on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A supply chain leak reveals specific figures: Apple's battery supplier is said to have registered two cells with capacities of 1,921 mAh and 2,962 mAh<\/a>, together offering a minimum nominal capacity of 4,883 mAh. Dual-cell configurations are common in foldable devices because the battery is distributed across both halves of the casing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a foldable comparison, the iPhone Ultra would thus be roughly on par with the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and above the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Within its own product line, it ranks above the iPhone 18 Pro, but below the iPhone 18 Pro Max.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model<\/th>Battery capacity<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
iPhone Ultra<\/td>approximately 4,883 mAh (dual-cell)<\/td><\/tr>
iPhone 18 Pro<\/td>4,288 mAh<\/td><\/tr>
iPhone 18 Pro Max<\/td>5,567 mAh<\/td><\/tr>
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold<\/td>5,015 mAh<\/td><\/tr>
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7<\/td>4,400 mAh<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An earlier rumor mentioned an even larger test battery of 5,400 to 5,800 mAh. However, that figure explicitly described a test configuration and is possibly outdated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooling: Vapor chamber despite thin casing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the first time, a source attributes a vapor chamber cooling system to the iPhone Ultra. This technology is already familiar from the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max: a small amount of deionized water conducts heat away from the chip and distributes it across the frame. According to Apple, this enables approximately 40 percent higher sustained performance during demanding tasks compared to the previously used graphite solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution is remarkable because of its slim design: When unfolded, the device measures as little as 4.8 millimeters, and even the similarly thin iPhone Air manages without a vapor chamber. Furthermore, titanium is used as the frame material, which dissipates heat less effectively than aluminum. The A20 chip should benefit most from this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact that the cooling solution is in place is supported by a supply chain clue: Apple is said to have significantly increased orders for vapor chamber components<\/a> \u2013 a step that usually only takes place shortly before mass production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repairability: Modular design as an industry standard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Foldable devices have been considered a problem child in repair shops for years: nested ribbon cables, multi-layered adhesive connections, and hard-to-reach battery packs. The iPhone Ultra aims to take a different approach and become the most easily repairable foldable device in the industry<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The focus is on the internal layered design. The main components are stacked in such a way that no long ribbon cable run across the display is necessary: volume buttons at the top edge of the casing, mainboard on the right, with the connection running directly upwards. In many current foldable devices, these cables run between buttons on one side and the logic board on the other \u2013 a detail that makes repairs particularly tricky. This also explains why the left side of the casing remains button-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repairability in foldable devices depends not only on battery replacement, but primarily on the display and hinge. Reports on these aspects remain limited. What is clear, however, is that the components are largely decoupled, reducing the risk of damaging other parts when replacing one assembly. The first teardowns after the sales launch will provide definitive proof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storage options and RAM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three storage options will be offered: 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB. A 2 TB option, like the one available for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, will not be offered initially. According to the Korean tech website The Bell, the RAM will be 12 GB, the same as the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Color options: For now, only black and white<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple is currently testing only black and white as color options<\/a> with suppliers. Mark Gurman explicitly points out that these plans could change before launch. Anyone hoping for vibrant colors should wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price: The most expensive iPhone ever<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone Ultra won't be a cheap device. Instant Digital cites a price range of 15,000 to 20,000 yuan, roughly equivalent to $2,060 to $2,750. The current most expensive model, the 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max, costs $1,999. Mark Gurman confirms that the price will exceed $2,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, several voices have pointed to an even higher price. Given the exploding storage costs, which have already prompted Apple to raise prices for the Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro, leaker Fixed Focus Digital expects prices to be 10 to 20 percent higher than previous estimates<\/a>. A larger storage configuration could thus exceed the $3,000 mark; Ming-Chi Kuo considers more than $2,500 conceivable anyway. Whether Apple will pass on the savings on the hinge costs to the sales price or add them to its profit margin remains to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two opposing effects are emerging in the resale market. In the short term, limited availability at launch could drive up prices \u2013 Kuo considers a premium of 50 to 100 percent above the official price at launch to be conceivable. In the medium term, foldable smartphones depreciate more rapidly<\/a> than traditional devices, which, with a purchase price exceeding $2,000, translates into a significant absolute loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Market launch: Autumn 2026 with limited availability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Production: from delay to finished line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Production was under considerable time pressure. A Digitimes report postponed mass production from July to August, whereas it typically begins in June for new iPhones, to ensure sufficient stock by September. This was due to delayed engineering validation tests, which still required design and production validation tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In early July, the picture brightened: Several supply chain sources reported that the design was finalized and mass production had begun<\/a>. Further evidence came from contract manufacturer Foxconn's significant staff expansion. At the same time, Apple reportedly instructed its suppliers to prepare approximately 10 million foldable iPhones<\/a> \u2013 considerably more than the previously rumored 7 to 8 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources disagree on the bottleneck. A leak from May attributed the difficulties to yield problems with SMT assembly<\/a> during pre-assembly, contradicting an earlier report that identified the hinge as the primary cause. At the end of July, another report again highlighted hurdles with the hinge and display<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This contradicts the latest information: at the beginning of August, it was stated that an initial problem with ramping up production volumes had been resolved and that the construction of the production line was completed at the end of July<\/a>. This is the latest date that would still be compatible with a September presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two camps on the start date<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the one hand, the Chinese leaker Fixed Focus Digital firmly rejects the delay rumors: He calls them false and the assumption of a 2027 launch far-fetched. He believes a launch alongside the iPhone 18 series is likely; even a delay would be no more than about a month. He reaffirmed this position in an accompanying Weibo post<\/a> in early August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The account's track record helps in weighing the information. He was correct about the name of the iPhone 16e, wrong about its sales figures, and predicted a fixed 120Hz panel without adaptive refresh rate for the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air \u2013 the opposite was delivered. His reaffirmation of his own June position is consistent, but not independent confirmation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, several voices are predicting a later launch date. An investor note by Barclays analyst Tim Long in March suggested a market launch as late as December. A report by Nikkei Asia raised concerns about technical development issues that could delay the launch until early 2027 \u2013 the hinge being considered a key problem, as its durability at times did not meet Apple's standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ming-Chi Kuo's latest forecast paints a middle ground, clearly separating the unveiling from the sales<\/a>. According to him, the iPhone Ultra will be presented in September, but won't be available for regular sale until the fourth quarter of 2026. He cites assembly volumes as evidence: Kuo anticipates 0.5 to 1 million units for the third quarter of 2026, roughly one-tenth of the expected volume for the second half of the year. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, by comparison, are projected to reach 20 to 22 million units in the same period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone X from 2017 serves as a blueprint. Apple presented it on September 12th together with the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, but pre-orders only began on October 27th and sales on November 3rd \u2013 simply because the stock levels were insufficient for a September launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milestone<\/th>iPhone X (2017)<\/th>iPhone Ultra (expected)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Introduction<\/td>September 12<\/td>September 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Pre-order<\/td>October 27<\/td>fourth quarter of 2026<\/td><\/tr>
Sales launch<\/td>November 3<\/td>fourth quarter of 2026<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Limited quantities available at launch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ming-Chi Kuo anticipates around seven to eight million assembled units for the entire second half of 2026 \u2013 a fraction of what Apple achieves with a regular iPhone launch, and far below the approximately 30 million units sold of the iPhone X in its first six months. Long delivery times and configurations selling out quickly are therefore likely, similar to the launch of the Apple Vision Pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the high price, Kuo remains optimistic about demand: he expects it to remain strong until the end of the year, even with an entry price of $2,300 to $2,500. Delivery times could climb to four to six weeks shortly after pre-orders begin and remain at that level until December. A reliable assessment of sustained demand will only be possible between the end of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027. In the longer term, market observers predict Apple will capture around a quarter of the foldable phone market<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further evidence of an advanced stage of development is the fact that initial prototypes have reportedly already been sent to network operators worldwide. Devices typically only reach this stage when they are sufficiently complete for network compatibility and mobile network certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why timing is the real risk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technically, the iPhone Ultra appears largely complete: display suppliers have qualified, hinge issues have been resolved, software is prepared, and prototypes are with network operators. The remaining risk no longer lies in the design, but in the production schedule. A production line completed at the end of July offers little buffer, and Apple itself has warned of significantly larger supply bottlenecks<\/a> in its outlook for the September quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has two practical consequences for the German-speaking market. First, regular availability is likely to follow the September launch with a delay of several weeks, and markets outside the initial launch wave will, based on experience, wait even longer. Second, a price increase in Germany, due to VAT, will have a greater impact than is reflected in the US dollar forecasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is the iPhone Ultra intended for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone Ultra isn't a device for the masses, and Apple doesn't intend it to be. It makes sense for people who actually use the large screen: those who regularly need two apps side-by-side, read a lot, edit documents on the go, or already carry an iPad mini, will save themselves a device with the foldable design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The calculation is less convincing for those who primarily take photos. Without a telephoto camera, the setup is on par with an iPhone 17, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max offers more focal lengths and a larger battery for a fraction of the price. Those accustomed to Face ID will also notice a significant loss of convenience when switching to the side-mounted Touch ID button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you belong to the first group and want the device at launch, the pre-order day is realistically the only way to avoid a wait. For everyone else, there's little reason not to wait for the second generation \u2013 its development has already been approved, and first generations of foldables are traditionally the most expensive and least refined. (Image: FrontPageTech x Asherdipps)<\/p>\n\n\n\n