Curious about iPhone Ultra? 10 rumors that reveal what to expect
Apple's first folding phone is coming soon, and we have a good idea of what it might look like
š Apple is gearing up to launch its first foldable iPhone later this year
š Weāve been hearing a lot of new rumors revealing key details about the device
šŖ Itās shaping up to be one of the most significant launches in Appleās history
š Here are 10 rumors that paint a vivid picture of what to expect
If thereās one smartphone coming out this year that I get the most questions about, itās the iPhone Ultra.
Appleās mysterious foldable phone is expected to launch this September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Itās the companyās first product with a flexible display, and all signs point to it having a big price tag to boot.
Apple has remained out of the foldable market since its inception, which has led many to wonder what the company could be spending all its time doing behind closed doors. Are they working on a foldable? Is it gonna be different than what Samsung or Google have done with their foldables? Will it be the best folding phone yet?
There are still many unanswered questions, but we have been tracking many iPhone Ultra rumors over the past few months. After sifting through them, these are the 10 biggest and most indicative of what to expect from the $2,200+ foldable.
š iPhone Ultra rumors, leaks, and what to expect
š A passport-like design
The most consistent thing weāve heard about the iPhone Ultra is the design. Apple is choosing a much shorter, stubbier form factor for its first foldable. The 5.4-inch outer screen will be much wider than current iPhone displays, reminiscent of the first Google Pixel Fold. The 7.8-inch folding screen will follow a similar path and be wider and less square-like than other foldables, like the Galaxy Z Fold 7. If anything, the iPhone Ultra will resemble a passport, albeit a bit larger in scale.
šŗ A big screen with no crease
That 7.8-inch display should deliver a bigger and better viewing experience for content thanks to its wider aspect ratio, and itās said to come with no crease down the middle that would otherwise interfere with whatever youāre looking at. Apple is rumored to use a new hinge mechanism that reduces the crease to nearly nonexistent levels. A lot of companies have tried to eliminate the crease entirely from folding phones, and everyone has failed thus far. Will Apple be the first to pull it off? Weāll have to wait to find out.
šø Four cameras in total
Around the iPhone Ultra, Apple is expected to include a total of four cameras: two on the back, a selfie camera in a cut-out at the top of the cover screen, and another at the top of the folding screen. It doesnāt seem like itāll be a pro-level camera system like weāre expecting on the iPhone 18 Pro. Instead, itāll be a simple main camera and an ultra-wide (exact specs remain unclear as of now). This should be enough versatility for most users, and for those who need more, thereāll always be the iPhone Pro lineup.
š« The return of Touch ID
Face ID is not expected to make it to the iPhone Ultra. Given its unique design, rumors say that Apple couldnāt figure out a way to implement it in a way itād be happy with. Instead, the company is rumored to bring Touch ID back to the iPhone. The sensor will likely be built into the power button on the side, whichāll also act as the Siri toggle. While it wonāt feel as futuristic as using Face ID, itāll still be a fast and reliable way to secure your phone.
āļø A20 Pro performance
Apple is widely expected to include its rumored A20 Pro chip in the iPhone Ultra. As the successor to the existing A19 Pro from the iPhone 17 Pro, we expect the new chip to offer better performance in key areas like graphics, efficiency, and AI processing (whichāll be a particularly big deal this year, given that Apple Intelligence is rumored to get huge upgrades later this year).
š The best battery life on an iPhone?
There are a lot of rumors suggesting that the iPhone Ultra will have a big battery. How big? Somewhere between 5,500 mAh and 5,800 mAh, which would make it the biggest battery to ever land in an iPhone. Whether that translates to the greatest battery life in an iPhone is unclear, but it certainly sounds like the iPhone Ultra wonāt have any issue lasting a full day on a charge.
š§² MagSafe, USB-C, and all the rest
When itās time to charge back up, the iPhone Ultra is rumored to support the two current ways everyone charges their iPhone: wireless MagSafe and USB-C. Around the rest of the device, thereāll also be an array of speakers, microphones, and antennas, just like current iPhones.
š± A lot of changes to iOS
One of the most notable changes the iPhone Ultra will make (besides bending in half, of course) is to iOS. Apple is rumored to add iPad-style multitasking to the software to make using the big screen more useful. Think split-screen apps, more sidebars, and wider interface layouts in general. The experience wonāt be identical to using an iPad, but itāll certainly feel familiar.
šØ Only two colors
The iPhone Ultra is expected to only ship in two colors: black and white. Thereās always a chance that Apple ships a third color down the line, but thus far, it only sounds like two finishes will be offered at launch.
š° A steep price tag
This is the real kicker. Apple is rumored to charge upwards of $2,200 for the iPhone Ultra, making it the most expensive iPhone to date. Samsung currently charges $1,999.99 for the Z Fold 7, while Google charges $1,899 for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It would be a much higher price tag than most foldables on the market. I guess if you want iMessage on a flexible screen, you have to pay for it.
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iPhone Ultra release date
Apple is rumored to announce the iPhone Ultra this September, with availability either soon afterward or sometime in October. Weāll be tracking these rumors closely, so be sure to subscribe and follow us on Substack.
Max Buondonno is an editor at The Shortcut and co-host of The Shortcut Live. Heās been reporting on the latest consumer technology since 2015, with his work featured on CNN Underscored, ZDNET, How-To Geek, XDA, TheStreet, and more. Follow him on X @LegendaryScoop and Instagram @LegendaryScoop.