iPhone Ultra Leaks: 10 Biggest Rumors About Apple’s First Foldable iPhone

Apple's first foldable iPhone is getting closer, and the latest leaks are beginning to paint a much clearer picture of what could become Apple's biggest iPhone redesign in years.

The device is widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold, although Apple has not officially confirmed either name.

Current rumors point to a book-style folding design, an almost 7.8-inch inner display, Touch ID instead of Face ID, dual 48MP rear cameras and an extremely thin body.

Here's what the latest iPhone Ultra leaks suggest.

Quick Answer: What to Expect From the iPhone Ultra

The first foldable iPhone is currently expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026.

Rumored specifications include:

• Around 5.5-inch outer display
• Around 7.8-inch foldable inner display
• Approximately 4.5mm thickness when unfolded
• Side-mounted Touch ID
• Dual 48MP rear cameras
• A20-generation processor
• Around 12GB of RAM
• Silver and dark blue color options
• Expected price of roughly $2,000 to $2,500

None of these specifications have been officially confirmed by Apple.

Recent reports continue to point toward a roughly 5.5-inch cover screen, 7.8-inch main display and a starting price at or above the $2,000 level.

1. iPhone Ultra Could Launch in Silver and Dark Blue

Apple may keep the color lineup surprisingly simple for its first foldable iPhone.

Recent accessory leaks point to two finishes:

• Silver
• Dark Blue

The silver model would follow Apple's familiar MacBook Pro, Mac mini and Mac Studio aesthetic.

The darker version appears closer to Apple's deep navy or indigo finishes rather than a traditional black.

That would give the iPhone Ultra a much more understated look than some recent Pro-series colors.

Recent leaked camera protectors also appeared in silver and dark blue, reinforcing earlier reports that Apple was testing a silver/white finish alongside a darker indigo option.

2. It Could Be the Thinnest iPhone Ever

Thickness may be one of the most impressive parts of the iPhone Ultra design.

The foldable iPhone is rumored to measure only around 4.5mm thick when unfolded.

Folded shut, the complete device could measure approximately 9mm to 9.5mm.

That means the phone could feel surprisingly similar in thickness to a conventional large iPhone when closed despite effectively containing two halves.

The extremely thin construction is also likely to influence several other design decisions, including the camera system, biometric authentication and internal battery layout.

Dummy models and earlier design reports have repeatedly pointed toward an approximately 4.5mm unfolded chassis.

3. Apple Is Reportedly Focused on Reducing the Display Crease

One of the biggest questions surrounding an Apple foldable has always been the crease.

Current rumors suggest Apple has spent considerable time developing a display and hinge system designed to make the center crease significantly less visible than on earlier generations of foldable phones.

The hinge has been linked to advanced metal materials, including liquid metal, while the flexible OLED panel is expected to use technology designed specifically to reduce stress around the folding area.

A completely invisible crease should still be treated cautiously until the final hardware can be tested.

But reducing the crease appears to be one of Apple's major design priorities.

4. The iPhone Ultra Could Have a 5.5-Inch Outer Display

When closed, the foldable iPhone is expected to use an outer display of approximately 5.3 to 5.5 inches.

That is relatively compact by modern smartphone standards.

Instead of trying to make the outer display resemble an iPhone Pro Max, Apple appears to be targeting a narrow, passport-like shape that should be easier to hold with one hand.

The outside screen would handle normal iPhone tasks such as messaging, calls, notifications, navigation and quick app access.

For larger tasks, users could simply unfold the device.

5. The Inside Display Could Expand to Around 7.8 Inches

Opening the iPhone Ultra could reveal a display measuring approximately 7.6 to 7.8 inches.

That puts the device much closer to a small tablet than a normal iPhone.

The larger canvas could make a noticeable difference for:

• Web browsing
• Reading
• Video
• Photos
• Maps
• Email
• Documents
• Multitasking

Apple has also been making more of its software adaptable to different screen sizes and aspect ratios, which could become increasingly important if the company introduces a folding iPhone.

 

 

6. Touch ID Could Return — But Face ID May Disappear

One of the most unexpected iPhone Ultra rumors is the possible return of Touch ID.

Instead of using an under-display fingerprint sensor, Apple is expected to integrate Touch ID into the side or power button.

The approach would be similar to the fingerprint sensor already used on some iPad models.

Why remove Face ID? Space.

The foldable iPhone's ultra-thin internal structure may leave too little room for Apple's current TrueDepth camera system without making the device thicker.

Moving authentication into the side button would free valuable internal space while still providing biometric security.

7. A20 Chip and 12GB RAM Could Power the Foldable iPhone

Performance should not be a major compromise.

The iPhone Ultra is widely expected to use Apple's next-generation A20 family of chips, which is associated with TSMC's new 2nm manufacturing process.

Whether Apple uses the standard A20 or an A20 Pro variant remains unclear.

Rumors have also pointed to around 12GB of RAM, which would give Apple more memory for multitasking, Apple Intelligence features and applications designed around the larger display.

A 2nm chip would potentially allow Apple to increase performance while improving power efficiency — particularly important for a thin foldable device with two displays.

8. Battery Life Could Be One of Apple's Biggest Challenges

A foldable iPhone needs to power two displays while fitting its battery into an unusually thin chassis.

Apple is therefore expected to divide the battery across both halves of the phone.

Some leaks have suggested a total capacity around 4,900mAh, while other reports point to a capacity closer to or above 5,000mAh.

For now, the exact number should not be considered reliable.

Raw battery capacity also will not tell the whole story.

The efficiency of the A20 chip, OLED displays, modem and software optimization will all play major roles in determining real-world battery life.

 

 

9. Dual 48MP Rear Cameras — But No Telephoto Lens

The camera system may reveal one of the biggest compromises required to make the foldable iPhone this thin.

Current leaks point to two rear cameras:

• 48MP main camera
• 48MP ultra-wide camera

The device may also include separate front-facing cameras for the outer and inner displays.

What appears to be missing is a dedicated telephoto camera.

That means buyers expecting the iPhone Ultra to automatically offer a better camera system than the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be disappointed.

Apple may instead prioritize thinness and the folding design.

This could create a clear distinction between Apple's premium phones:

iPhone 18 Pro Max: better choice for photography and zoom.

iPhone Ultra: better choice for the new folding design and larger display.

10. iPhone Ultra Release Date Could Be September 2026

The current expectation is that Apple will unveil its first foldable iPhone during its September 2026 iPhone event.

The most frequently discussed dates are currently September 8 or September 9, 2026.

The foldable would likely appear alongside:

• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max
• New Apple Watch models
• Other updated Apple products

The regular iPhone 18 is now widely expected to move to early 2027 instead of launching alongside the Pro models.

Apple has not officially announced its September event date yet.

Could the iPhone Ultra Have a Limited Initial Release?

Availability could also be different from a normal iPhone launch.

Because this is Apple's first foldable device and production could initially be limited, the company may prioritize certain countries or markets before expanding availability.

That could make the initial iPhone Ultra launch more difficult to predict than the normal annual iPhone release.

Anyone planning to buy one immediately should therefore pay attention not only to the announcement date, but also to regional preorder and release information.

How Much Will the iPhone Ultra Cost?

The iPhone Ultra will almost certainly sit at the very top of Apple's smartphone lineup if current reports are accurate.

Price estimates generally fall between:

$2,000 and $2,500

Some estimates suggest a starting price near $1,999, while other reports have discussed prices substantially above $2,000.

Storage configuration could also have a major impact.

Apple may position the device less as a replacement for a standard iPhone and more as an entirely new ultra-premium product category.

At $2,000 or more, however, buyers will expect much more than a folding screen.

Display durability, hinge reliability, battery life, software optimization and long-term repair costs could be just as important as the headline specifications.

iPhone Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Become an Important Choice

Apple's 2026 flagship lineup could create an unusual buying decision.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to remain the more traditional flagship, with a mature design and stronger emphasis on camera performance.

The iPhone Ultra, meanwhile, could prioritize its foldable display, compact-when-closed design and tablet-like experience.

The Ultra may therefore not be a straightforward upgrade over the Pro Max. It could be an alternative.

Buyers who prioritize photography, zoom and a proven design may still prefer the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Those who want Apple's newest form factor and a much larger display in their pocket may find the iPhone Ultra far more interesting.

 

 

iPhone Ultra: Rumored Specs at a Glance

Final Thoughts

The first foldable iPhone increasingly looks like more than a conventional iPhone with a flexible screen.

Apple appears to be building a separate ultra-premium device around an extremely thin body, compact outer display and much larger tablet-like inner screen.

But that design may also require compromises.

Face ID could disappear. A dedicated telephoto camera may be missing. Battery space will be limited, and the price could easily exceed $2,000.

The biggest question is therefore not whether the iPhone Ultra will be Apple's most unusual iPhone.

It is whether the foldable display and new form factor will be valuable enough to justify those compromises.

With Apple's September 2026 launch window approaching, we should not have to wait much longer to find out.

All specifications, pricing, naming and release information discussed above are based on current reports and leaks. Apple has not officially confirmed the iPhone Ultra or its final specifications.