Apple could finally be ready to enter the foldable smartphone market with its much-rumoured foldable iPhone, which is widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra. The premium device may be officially launched alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series at Apple's September 2026 launch event.
For years, Apple has kept its distance from the foldable smartphone market, while competitors like Samsung, Google, and Huawei have launched their foldable phones. But now Apple has finalised the required specs, and we're heading towards mass production, with the market having high expectations for its first foldable iPhone.
Expected Launch Timeline
Some sources say that Apple will have the foldable iPhone Ultra in September 2026, likely on September 8 or 9, 2026. It would be released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Pre-orders will likely begin shortly before launch day, and there may be a delay until the end of the year. Production issues, including material shortages, could put it on hold.
Expected India Price
The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to be Apple's most expensive smartphone ever. In India, it will cost between ₹1.9 lakh and ₹2 lakh starting, and higher storage options will be more than ₹2.2 lakh. Estimates put the price around $2,000 globally because of the high-end technology and engineering that go into the foldable design.
Foldable Design and Display
Unlike flip-style foldables, Apple is said to adopt a book-style folding design similar to premium foldable tablets. Apple might have a 5.5-inch external display that is the most commonly used display and a 7.8-inch inner display that folds into a tablet-like screen. Apple is likely to focus on reducing the display crease and improving the durability of the hinge to provide a better user experience.
The foldable iPhone is also expected to be remarkably thin, around 9mm when folded and about 4.5mm when unfolded, and will be one of the slimmest foldable devices on the market if the leaks are accurate.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the iPhone Ultra will likely be powered by Apple’s next-generation A20 chip, which could be built with state-of-the-art manufacturing technology for performance and efficiency. Up to 12GB RAM and 256GB to 1 TB of storage could be included.
Interestingly, some leaks suggest that Apple might replace Face ID with a side-mounted Touch ID sensor to save internal space within the foldable design.
Camera System
The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a dual rear camera setup, including a primary sensor and an ultra-wide lens. Apple might not have a periscope zoom lens in the first-generation foldable model, but the cameras will be able to deliver flagship photography performance. Reports also point to a punch-hole selfie camera, or under-display, for a cleaner viewing experience.
What it means for Apple
The launch of the iPhone Ultra would mark Apple’s biggest smartphone design shift since the iPhone X. Apple is going to compete directly with foldable devices by offering its own standards for toughness, software optimisation, and premium design.
We have not officially confirmed anything, but the growing number of reports and supply chain leaks indicate that Apple’s first foldable iPhone is more imminent than ever and closer than ever to becoming a reality.
