{"id":64374,"date":"2026-05-06T19:13:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T17:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=64374"},"modified":"2026-05-06T19:13:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T17:13:50","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":"

Rumors about a foldable iPhone have been circulating for years, but for a long time the topic remained in the realm of speculation. That's changing now. Reliable analysts, leakers, and supply chain sources are providing increasingly concrete details that paint a coherent overall picture: Apple is working on the iPhone Ultra, a foldable smartphone in a book-like format. The market launch is expected in the fall of 2026, possibly alongside the iPhone 18 series. We've summarized below what is currently known about the device, what it's supposed to look like, how much it will cost, and when it will be released.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foldable smartphones have been around for several years. Samsung, Huawei, and other manufacturers have established the form factor, with varying degrees of success. Apple has so far watched from the sidelines. This isn't a sign of backwardness, but rather reflects typical Apple strategy: wait until the technology is mature enough, and then enter the market with a product that redefines the category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That's precisely what makes the iPhone Ultra so interesting. Apple isn't entering the market as a pioneer, but as a perfectionist. Initial reports suggest that Apple intends to address some of the biggest weaknesses of foldable smartphones, including the visible crease in the display, hinge durability, and battery life. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman calls the device "the most significant overhaul in iPhone history" and places it on a par with milestones like the iPhone 4, iPhone 6, and iPhone X. Whether Apple will live up to this claim remains to be seen. The technical details known so far certainly sound promising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Why Apple avoids the name \"Fold\"<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Apple's foldable iPhone has long been referred to in media reports as the "iPhone Fold," but that doesn't seem to be Apple's plan. The Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims the device will be released under the name "iPhone Ultra." Shortly afterward, the equally reliable leaker Instant Digital confirmed this assessment and listed the fall lineup as iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision to use the Ultra name fits into Apple's existing brand strategy. The term is already used for the Apple Watch Ultra, the M1 Ultra and M3 Ultra chips, as well as CarPlay Ultra. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman had previously reported that Apple could extend the Ultra designation to additional product lines, including an OLED MacBook<\/a> and future AirPods<\/a> with cameras. With the iPhone Ultra, the foldable iPhone would not be positioned as a niche product, but as the premium pinnacle of the entire iPhone line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall Design: book format, not clamshell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

The iPhone Ultra is expected to operate on a book-like principle, featuring a large inner screen that unfolds like a book. This has been confirmed by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, considered one of the most reliable sources for Apple internal information. This makes the device similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and fundamentally different from the compact clamshell design of the Galaxy Z Flip. According to leaker Instant Digital, Apple initially considered a flip design but abandoned these plans because the form factor would not have offered compelling new uses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has provided specific figures regarding the dimensions. When folded, the device is expected to be between 9 and 9.5 mm thick, and only 4.5 to 4.8 mm thick when unfolded. Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital recently specified that the minimum thickness when unfolded will be 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 Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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

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

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

The iPhone Ultra's button placement differs from current iPhone models. According to Instant Digital<\/a>, the volume buttons will be located on the top right of the device, similar to the iPad mini. The power button will remain on the right side, as with other current iPhones. A camera cutout, similar to the iPhone Air, is also expected on the left side of the back of the device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Camera Control remains available<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A design decision that comes as a surprise despite its extremely thin construction: According to Instant Digital<\/a>, the iPhone Ultra will be equipped with a camera control button \u2013 even though the device is at least 1.1 mm thinner than the iPhone Air when unfolded. Apple sees a practical problem with existing foldable devices: Due to the device's size, many users find adjusting camera settings and taking photos cumbersome. The camera control button is intended to solve this by making the device easy to operate with one hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple internally acknowledges that the reception of the camera control button on the flat iPhones was mixed. However, in the context of a foldable device, its practical benefit is significantly greater \u2013 which is why the team consciously decided to integrate the function into the first generation of the foldable iPhone, even 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

The iPhone Ultra will be equipped with two displays that function depending on the usage situation. When folded, an outer screen is available, similar to a classic iPhone display, designed to easily handle everyday tasks. When unfolded, a large inner screen, similar to an iPad, opens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are slightly differing reports regarding the exact display sizes from various sources. A report from The Information cites 5.3 inches for the front screen and 7.7 inches for the inner screen. Other sources indicate a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch inner screen. It is currently impossible to definitively determine which figures are correct. However, the sources agree that the unfolded display will be roughly the size of an iPad mini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Mark Gurman, the unfolded iPhone Ultra will offer an iPad-like user interface, including multitasking<\/a> with two apps side-by-side. iOS 27 is said to be specifically optimized for this form factor, with sidebars on the left edge of the screen, similar to those found in iPad apps. However, it will not be a full-fledged iPadOS with a windowing system, but rather a modified version of the iPhone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Rumors suggest the inner display will be roughly the size of an A6 sheet of paper and have a resolution of 2,713 \u00d7 1,920 pixels. The outer display is expected to have a resolution of 2,088 \u00d7 1,422 pixels. Apple is said to be using an improved film technology<\/a> for the display protection: a transparent polyimide film will be applied as a protective layer to ultra-thin glass, making the display more durable than previous foldable devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple is using a dual-layer structure made of ultra-thin glass (UTG), in which the display is embedded between two layers of glass and thus does not come into direct contact with the hinge mechanism. This arrangement is intended to distribute the mechanical stress across multiple layers, improving both durability and minimizing the visible crease line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The display question has been resolved: According to a report<\/a> by The Elec, Apple has signed an exclusive contract with Samsung Display for the supply of foldable OLED panels. The contract runs for three years and excludes other display suppliers. Apple reportedly accepted the terms because there are currently no comparable alternative providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Samsung will use the same M14 OLED materials for the iPhone Ultra that are already used in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple is thus deliberately foregoing newer material generations in favor of reliability and lower costs. The panel also utilizes CoE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) technology: The polarizer is removed and the color filter layer is applied directly to the encapsulation \u2013 unproblematic in conventional displays, but standard practice in foldable devices because the polarizer can cause cracks at bending points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Production of the foldable OLED panels is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2026. The first shipment will comprise approximately three million units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Significantly reduced, but not completely eliminated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The visible crease in the middle of the inner screen is one of the most persistent problems with foldable smartphones. Apple has dedicated considerable effort to addressing this issue. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo initially reported that the iPhone Ultra would offer a virtually "crease-free" inner display. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg later qualified this statement, saying that Apple was using technology that significantly reduces the crease without eliminating it entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More concrete figures come from production sources: The folding depth is to be controlled to less than 0.15 mm, and the folding angle to less than 2.5 degrees. This would be a significant improvement over the competition. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the solution consists of two components: First, a metal plate is used to distribute and control the stress generated during bending. Second, Apple uses liquid metal in the hinge, which is manufactured using a die-casting process and is intended to improve durability as well as minimize screen creases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gurman summarizes it as follows: Apple engineers believe they have solved the problems with screen quality and overall durability, two long-standing weaknesses of foldable devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Titanium, stainless steel or aluminum?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the casing will be made of titanium, while the hinge will consist of a combination of titanium and stainless steel. The frame itself will be made of a titanium alloy to prevent deformation, a solution Apple has already used in the ultra-thin iPhone Air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analyst Jeff Pu has a slightly different view, assuming that Apple will combine aluminum and titanium, while Kuo favors a mix of stainless steel and titanium. The exact material combination that will ultimately be used is therefore not yet definitively settled among analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An interesting recent assessment of the hinge by Kuo is that it is expected to have an average selling price of around 70 to 80 US dollars in mass production, significantly below the original market expectations of 100 to 120 US dollars or more. Kuo attributes this cost reduction to the optimization of the assembly design and Foxconn's influence on production scaling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Rear cameras and interior camera<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone Ultra is expected to have a total of four cameras, as confirmed by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. On the back, there will be two lenses, each with a 48-megapixel resolution, according to Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station. These will be a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle camera \u2013 a telephoto lens is missing, meaning the setup is on par with the iPhone 17, not the Pro models. Dummy models from Sonny Dickson confirm the dual-camera setup on the back with a pill-shaped camera module. Additionally, there will be a front-facing camera on the outer screen and an under-screen camera (USC) beneath the inner screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another leak suggests that Apple is systematically analyzing the competition: Apple's US imaging team reportedly recently traveled to Shenzhen to test the cameras of competing foldables, such as Huawei's models \u2013 with a particular focus on telephoto zoom capabilities. Rival foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 typically offer three rear cameras, including a telephoto zoom. A telephoto camera in later Ultra generations is therefore conceivable \u2013 but not planned for the first generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Front camera placement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The front-facing camera of the outer screen is expected to be a punch-hole camera. According to a report by The Information, it will be located in the upper left corner of the outer screen. This arrangement allows for taking photos and making calls in both states of the device without a camera interrupting the valuable inner display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Dummy models do not show a MagSafe ring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A striking observation in the leaked dummy models: The back of the iPhone Ultra lacks a MagSafe ring, while it's clearly visible on the dummy units of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. If the final device does indeed forgo MagSafe, that would be a surprising concession for a device in this price range. Even the less expensive iPhone 17e supports MagSafe. However, it's possible the feature will be added to the final product. Dummy models don't always reveal all the details of the finished device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Side-mounted fingerprint sensor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most surprising design decisions concerns the unlocking method. Both Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman have confirmed that the iPhone Ultra will forgo Face ID. Instead, it will use a side-mounted Touch ID button, a method Apple already employs in the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini. The reason is purely practical: space is extremely limited in the compact interior of a foldable device, 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

C2 modem and globally only eSIM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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

The iPhone Ultra will not feature a SIM card tray in any region. According to Instant Digital<\/a>, there is no indication in the supply chain of tooling or inventory for SIM card modules \u2013 the device will only support eSIM worldwide, including in China. This follows the example of the iPhone Air, which was the first iPhone to globally do without a SIM card tray. For German users, this isn't a major change, as eSIM support is available from all major mobile network operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battery life: A record for an iPhone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

High-density cells and slim components<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone Ultra is expected to have the largest battery ever installed in an iPhone. Apple is achieving this not only through high-density battery cells but also by slimming down internal components. According to a Korean blog that has leaked detailed information about unreleased products in the past, the display driver, for example, will be made more compact to create more space for battery cells. Combined with the energy-efficient C2 modem and other efficiency improvements, this promises<\/a> solid battery life on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Minimal cabling, clear separation of components<\/h3>\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 often make repairs complex or impossible. The iPhone Ultra is intended to take a different approach in this regard. Apple's first foldable device could become the most easily repairable foldable in the industry<\/a>, according to a recent report from China. The internal design is said to be consistently geared towards modularity \u2013 an aspect that Apple has not previously promoted aggressively with foldable devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The focus is on the internal layered design. Apple's engineers are said to have stacked the main components in such a way that no long ribbon cable run across the display is necessary. The volume buttons are located at the top edge of the casing, the logic board sits on the right side, and the connection between the two runs directly upwards. In many current foldable devices, these cables run between the buttons on one side and the logic board on the other \u2013 a design detail that makes repairs particularly tricky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Function follows interior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The unusual key layout had previously been discussed primarily from an aesthetic point of view. The current report now adds another advantage: more available interior space allows for a larger battery, less cabling, and a cleaner separation between the display and motherboard areas. This also explains why the left side of the case remains keyless \u2013 any cutout would complicate the clearly structured design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repairability in foldable devices depends not only on battery replacement, but primarily on the display and hinge. The report remains more reserved on these points. What is clear, however, is that Apple has significantly decoupled the internal components \u2013 this reduces the risk of damaging other parts when replacing a single component. The final proof will only come with the first teardowns after the sales launch. Should independent repair shops confirm the current findings, Apple would be setting a standard against which future generations of foldable devices will be measured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iPhone Ultra: Storage options and RAM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three configurations starting from 256 GB<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to leaker Instant Digital, the iPhone Ultra will be offered in three storage variants: 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. The Korean tech website The Bell reports that the RAM will be 12 GB, the same as the iPhone Air and the iPhone 17 Pro models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Limited selection at launch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to Mark Gurman, Apple is currently testing only black and white as color options with suppliers. However, Gurman explicitly points out that these plans could change before launch. Those hoping for vibrant colors should therefore wait. Whether Apple will offer further options at launch is currently unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Price estimates range between $2,060 and $2,750<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone Ultra will not be a cheap device. According to Instant Digital, the price is expected to be between 15,000 and 20,000 yuan \u2013 roughly equivalent to $2,060 to $2,750. This will make the iPhone Ultra by far the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released. For comparison, the current most expensive model, the 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max, costs $1,999. Mark Gurman confirms that the device will exceed the $2,000 mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kuo's current assessment of the hinge is interesting: its production costs, at $70 to $80, are significantly below the original market expectations of over $100. Whether Apple will pass these savings on in the form of a lower sales price or improve its own profit margins is currently unclear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iPhone Ultra market launch: Fall 2026, but with limited availability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Production start postponed to August<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

iPhone Ultra production is under time pressure. According to a Digitimes report<\/a>, mass production has been delayed from July to August. Normally, production of new iPhones begins in June so that Apple can build up sufficient inventory for the September launch. This leaves only about six weeks for the iPhone Ultra instead of the usual three months \u2013 an ambitious timeframe for a completely new product type with complex manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The delay is related to the validation phases that every new Apple device must undergo. Engineering Validation Tests (EVT) have already been delayed, and Design Validation Tests (DVT) and Production Validation Tests (PVT) are still pending. However, supply chain sources emphasize that Apple is still committed to a 2026 launch \u2013 the delay is real, but not significant enough to scrap the September date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The practical consequence: Anyone wanting the iPhone Ultra at launch will have to act fast. With only one month of mass production before the sales launch, the available quantities are likely to be significantly lower than at a regular iPhone launch. Instant Digital estimates the first year's production at a conservative 10 million units \u2013 a fraction of what Apple typically sells at a regular iPhone launch. Long delivery times and configurations selling out quickly are likely, similar to the launch of the Apple Vision Pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark Gurman supports the September estimate, reporting that the iPhone Ultra is still slated for that timeframe. The device is expected to be available "around the same time" or "shortly after" the iPhone 18 Pro models. There is a precedent for a staggered launch: in 2017, the iPhone X was unveiled in September but didn't hit the market until November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n