Apple appears to be nearing the launch of its long-rumoured foldable iPhone, with indications pointing to a flagship device called the iPhone Ultra expected as soon as September 2026, featuring innovative design and high-end pricing.
Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone appears to be moving closer to launch, with multiple reports pointing to a device that could arrive as soon as September 2026. Macworld says the handset may be called the iPhone Ultra, while other reports describe a book-style foldable that opens into a tablet-sized screen and would sit above Apple’s regular iPhone line. Some analysts still expect a later commercial release, possibly in December, which would mirror Apple’s past habit of announcing hardware before stocking stores.
The strongest sign that Apple is preparing the device comes from software rather than leaks. TechRadar reported that the iOS 27 developer beta contains references to fold states, angle measurements and multiple built-in displays, all of which are consistent with foldable hardware. The same reporting also points to changes in Apple’s Mac iPhone-mirroring tools, which now appear more suited to a device that can switch between phone and tablet-like modes.
Design rumours suggest Apple is taking a cautious approach. The iPhone Ultra is expected to use a vertical folding mechanism rather than a clamshell layout, giving it a larger internal OLED panel and a smaller outer display for quick use when closed. The device is also expected to rely on a crease-minimised screen, a stainless steel and titanium hinge, and Touch ID rather than Face ID. That combination would allow Apple to avoid some of the compromises seen in early foldables, although it would likely come at the cost of a thicker, heavier chassis.
Pricing remains one of the clearest indications that Apple is positioning this as a flagship product. Macworld and other reports place the starting price between $2,000 and $2,500, with storage tiers rising as high as 1TB. That would make it the most expensive iPhone yet and could limit early demand to buyers willing to pay for novelty, premium materials and Apple’s first attempt at a foldable form factor.
There are also warning signs that launch timing is still not entirely settled. TechRadar reported that Apple has faced hinge durability problems, while other coverage has pointed to production and mass-manufacturing setbacks at Foxconn. Even so, the sheer volume of code references, product leaks and component reports now makes a foldable iPhone look less like a theoretical project and more like a product in its final preparation stage.
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