iPhone Ultra: 5 Things to Know About Apple's First Foldable iPhone Before Launch
Apple's first foldable iPhone is almost here. Ahead of the September 9 Apple Event, the device widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra is expected to introduce a completely new form factor to the iPhone family. Here are five important things to know before Apple takes the wraps off its first foldable phone.
Apple's biggest iPhone change in years
Apple has officially scheduled its "Surprise and shine" event for September 9, 2026. The event begins at 10:30 PM IST for viewers in India. The first foldable iPhone is widely expected to be one of the headline announcements.
Apple's special September event.
The reported name of Apple's first foldable iPhone.
iPhone Ultra: What Is Apple About to Launch?
Apple has avoided the foldable smartphone market while Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and other Android manufacturers have spent years developing different foldable designs.
That is expected to change this month. Apple is widely expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone at the September 9 event, although the company has not officially confirmed the product name or specifications.
The device is expected to use a book-style folding design. It would work like a conventional iPhone when closed and open into a much larger display for multitasking, reading, video and other tablet-like tasks.
5 Things You Need to Know About the iPhone Ultra
It Could Be Apple's First Foldable iPhone
The biggest story is the form factor itself. The iPhone Ultra is expected to be Apple's first smartphone with a folding display.
Reports point to a book-style design rather than a clamshell phone. This means the device would open sideways to provide a much larger internal screen.
If Apple launches the product as expected, it will represent one of the company's biggest iPhone design changes since the introduction of the iPhone X.
Two Displays Are Expected
Current reports suggest the foldable could feature a roughly 5.5-inch external display for everyday smartphone use.
Opening the phone is expected to reveal an internal display around 7.7 to 7.8 inches.
That would give users substantially more screen space for multitasking, documents, browsing and video while keeping the closed device closer to the size of a conventional smartphone.
Apple May Choose Touch ID Instead of Face ID
One of the more unusual changes expected on the foldable iPhone is biometric authentication.
Because the device is expected to be extremely thin, reports suggest Apple may not have enough room for the complete Face ID hardware system.
Instead, Touch ID could be integrated into the side power button.
If confirmed, this would be a significant change for Apple's premium iPhone lineup, where Face ID has been the standard biometric system for years.
The Camera Setup May Be More Compact
The iPhone Ultra is not expected to copy the triple-camera approach used by Apple's Pro Max models.
Current reports point toward two rear cameras consisting of a main wide camera and an ultrawide camera.
A dedicated telephoto camera may be missing, potentially because of the tight internal space created by the foldable design.
Apple could therefore be making a trade-off between the ultra-thin foldable body and a more extensive camera system.
It Could Be Apple's Most Expensive iPhone
Price could be the biggest barrier for potential buyers.
Current reports suggest the foldable iPhone could cost more than $2,000, with some estimates reaching as high as $2,500 depending on the configuration.
That would place the device well above Apple's conventional iPhone models and firmly in the ultra-premium foldable category.
The final Indian price will be one of the most important details Indian buyers will be waiting for.
Design: Apple Is Reportedly Chasing a Very Thin Foldable
Thickness is expected to be one of the headline features of Apple's foldable.
Current reports suggest the device could measure around 4.5mm when completely opened. That would make the engineering challenge particularly demanding because Apple needs to fit the display, hinge, cameras, battery and other components into an extremely thin body.
The company is also expected to use a sophisticated hinge mechanism designed to reduce the visible crease in the display.
However, reports indicate that the crease may not disappear completely. Instead, Apple appears to be aiming for a crease that is less noticeable during normal use.
iPhone Ultra: Expected Specifications
| Feature | Expected Details |
|---|---|
| Form factor | Book-style foldable smartphone |
| Cover display | Approximately 5.5-inch |
| Internal display | Approximately 7.7–7.8-inch |
| Processor | Apple A20 Pro expected |
| Biometrics | Touch ID expected |
| Rear cameras | Two cameras: Wide + Ultra Wide |
| Software | iOS 27 with foldable-focused features expected |
| Charging | MagSafe expected |
| Expected price | Above $2,000 according to current reports |
iOS 27 Could Be the Real Differentiator
Hardware alone will not determine whether Apple's first foldable succeeds. The software experience could be even more important.
Apple's iOS 27 is expected to include additional flexibility for the foldable form factor, including improved app resizing, side-by-side applications and multitasking.
This could allow the internal display to behave more like a compact tablet while the external screen continues to function like a normal iPhone.
Apple will also have to convince developers to make sure their apps transition smoothly between the two displays.
Performance: A20 Pro Is Expected
The foldable iPhone is expected to use Apple's A20 Pro chip, the same generation of silicon expected in the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Apple's move to a 2nm-class processor is expected to bring improvements in performance and power efficiency, although the final specifications will only become clear after Apple's official announcement.
For a foldable phone, efficiency could be especially important because the device needs to power both a large internal display and a smaller external screen while operating within the physical constraints of a thin chassis.
Battery Life Could Be a Major Challenge
Foldable phones have to balance battery capacity against thickness and weight. The iPhone Ultra is expected to be extremely thin, which could limit the amount of physical space available for the battery.
Current reports suggest a dual-cell battery with a capacity around 4,800mAh, although this remains unconfirmed.
Apple's A20 Pro chip and software optimisation could help offset some of the battery limitations, but real-world battery life will be one of the most interesting things to test after launch.
iPhone Ultra Price in India: What Can Buyers Expect?
Apple has not announced an official price for the foldable iPhone.
International reports currently place the expected price above $2,000, with some estimates suggesting a range that could approach $2,500.
Indian pricing could therefore put the iPhone Ultra firmly into the premium foldable category, potentially making it considerably more expensive than conventional iPhone Pro models.
The official India price will be one of the biggest announcements to watch during the September 9 event.
iPhone Ultra vs Android Foldables
Apple is entering a market where Android manufacturers already have significant experience.
Samsung has developed several generations of Galaxy Z Fold devices, while Xiaomi and other manufacturers have pushed thin designs, large displays and advanced hinge technology.
Apple's advantage could therefore come from a combination of hardware, software and ecosystem rather than simply offering a foldable screen.
For existing iPhone users, integration with Apple Watch, AirPods, iCloud and other Apple services could make the iPhone Ultra particularly attractive.
5 Things to Watch at Apple's September 9 Event
Official Name
Will Apple actually call it the iPhone Ultra, or will the company choose a different name?
Indian Price
The final India price could determine how competitive the device is against Android foldables.
Thickness
Apple's claimed thickness and weight will be among the most closely watched design specifications.
Crease
Apple will need to demonstrate whether its hinge and display engineering can deliver a genuinely subtle crease.
Battery Life
The combination of a large internal display and an ultra-thin body makes battery endurance particularly important.
Foldable iOS
Multitasking and app behaviour could ultimately determine whether the large internal display feels genuinely useful.
MobileIndya Verdict
Apple's first foldable iPhone could become one of the biggest smartphone launches of 2026. The company is entering the category later than many Android manufacturers, but it appears to be aiming for a very thin, premium device rather than simply matching existing foldables.
The reported 5.5-inch outer display, approximately 7.7–7.8-inch internal display, Touch ID, dual rear cameras and A20 Pro chip would give the device a distinctive specification mix.
However, the biggest question could be price. If reports of a price above $2,000 prove accurate, Apple will be asking buyers to pay a substantial premium for the new form factor.
The good news for buyers is that we do not have to wait much longer. Apple's official September 9 event is just days away.
The iPhone Ultra may not be the first foldable phone, but it could be the foldable that brings the technology into Apple's mainstream ecosystem.
Bottom line: The iPhone Ultra remains officially unconfirmed by name and specifications until Apple takes the stage. But with the September 9 event confirmed, the wait is almost over. The final design, price, cameras, battery and foldable iOS experience will determine whether Apple's first foldable can justify its expected ultra-premium price.
