Apple's first foldable iPhone is coming this fall, and according to rumors, it will be called the iPhone Ultra. Here are six features expected from Apple's new high-end iPhone Ultra.
Design: Book-style folding with titanium, wrinkle-free screen
The iPhone Ultra, Apple's first foldable model, will have a highly unique design for the iPhone.
Unlike most foldable models, the iPhone Ultra will be wider than its height when opened. With a book-style fold, the outer screen will appear shorter and wider than all other iPhone screens, while the inner screen will resemble an iPad mini in size and shape.
Additionally, unlike previous foldable models, the iPhone Ultra's inner screen is expected to have a wrinkle-free design - a significant innovation for the form factor.
The iPhone Ultra will take some design cues from the iPhone Air. It will have a titanium frame, be ultra-thin when opened, and look like two stacked iPhone Airs when folded - but thinner.
Finally, rumors suggest that only black and white color options will be available.
Displays: Unique sizes and orientations
The iPhone Ultra will have two screens: one on the outside and the other that will be revealed when folded. According to rumors, the sizes are:
- Outer screen: 5.3 to 5.5 inches
- Inner screen: 7.6 to 7.8 inches
The outer screen will resemble an iPhone mini in size but will have a wider aspect ratio.
The inner screen may present a look very close to that of an iPad mini when held.
Cameras: Two rear lenses, plus two front cameras
The iPhone Ultra will have two rear cameras: a 48MP Main and a 48MP Ultra-wide.
This means that users opting for the Ultra model will miss out on the Telephoto camera and enhanced zoom capabilities.
Since the iPhone Ultra has two screens, it is expected to come with two front cameras, one for each screen.
There is not much information about these cameras, but it is likely that Apple will use the 18MP Center Stage camera it launched with the iPhone 17 last year. A hole-punch design is expected.
Software: iOS 27 multitasking features
iOS 27 is expected to bring new iPhone software features exclusive to the iPhone Ultra.
According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, two major updates are expected:
- Side-by-side apps for multitasking
- iPad-like app layouts
Gurman states that the device will not support the full windowing features of iPadOS 26 or run iPadOS when folded. However, it seems that iOS 27 will still take many cues from iPad software.
Apple Silicon: A20 Pro chip, C2 cellular modem
The iPhone Ultra will come with the new A20 Pro chip and C2 cellular modem, both expected to be released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro.
The A20 Pro is expected to be an above-average upgrade due to the new 2-nanometer processing technology, with plans to use WMCM (Wafer-level Multi-Chip Module) to enhance efficiency.
The new chip will come with 12GB of RAM, the same as the A19 Pro. However, it is reported to be equipped with faster LPDDR5 to boost performance.
The C2 is Apple's next-generation internal cellular modem. It will replace Qualcomm's 5G modems and come with an Apple-designed solution that offers many new advantages.
Touch ID
It may seem strange for a model called ‘Ultra’, but Apple's foldable iPhone will not offer Face ID for authentication. Instead, Apple is bringing back Touch ID and integrating it into the power button.
The Touch ID on the iPhone Ultra will be implemented very similarly to what is offered on the iPad Air and iPad mini.
Due to the device's thinness, it is reported that Apple cannot shrink two separate modules (one for each screen) enough to fit into the iPhone Ultra. However, perhaps a future model could change this.
iPhone Ultra pricing and overall assessment
The rumored pricing for the iPhone Ultra is quite variable. Most analysts expect the starting price for the 256GB model to be around $1,999. However, some expect a lower starting price, while others claim it will be higher.
One thing seems certain: this will be the most expensive iPhone ever made. By essentially combining an iPhone and an iPad into a single device, it is clear that Apple hopes to justify this price.
Are you interested in purchasing an iPhone Ultra, or will you prefer a different model? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPhone accessories
- AirPods Pro 3 (currently only $199, down from $249)
- MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- 10-year AirTag battery case 2-pack
- 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter
- Apple's new AirTag 2 (1-pack / 4-pack)
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