According to a report by Mark Gurman for Bloomberg, cited by RBC-Ukraine, Apple is in the final stages of preparing to unveil its foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra. The first beta testers, the source says, were "impressed by the ergonomics and durability of the device." The phone is built in a book-style form factor: the outer display has a 5.5-inch diagonal, while the inner folding screen measures around 7.8 inches. The body is just 4.5 mm thick when unfolded and about 9.4 mm when folded, and, according to testers, the device sits comfortably in the hand and fits in a regular pocket.
Ergonomics, Multitasking, and Performance
The inner screen supports iPadOS-style multitasking, allowing several apps to be used simultaneously in a wide format. It is precisely this form factor that makes the new device visually similar to the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8, meaning Apple will no longer be the pioneer in this segment of foldable devices. Performance is handled by the latest 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip, and, according to several publications, the hinge is made using liquid metal technology to ensure the longevity of the folding mechanism.
Technical Trade-offs for Record-Thin Design
To achieve a record 4.5 mm thickness when unfolded, Apple's engineers made significant compromises. The biggest surprise was the complete abandonment of the Face ID scanner: instead, the company is bringing back Touch ID technology, with the fingerprint sensor embedded directly into the side power button. The second limitation concerns the camera capabilities — the smartphone will feature only a dual camera system of two 48-megapixel modules (main and ultra-wide), with no full telephoto lens for optical zoom.
Contradictory Reports
Sources disagree on the details of the device's public demonstration. Gurman's report and Bloomberg's coverage (including a retelling by rozetked.me) state that the foldable iPhone Ultra has already been tested by Apple's internal staff and beta testers, who "really like it." At the same time, a separate source (hi-tech.mail.ru) reports a video showing the foldable iPhone Ultra "before Apple," which most likely refers to renders or non-concept prototypes rather than an official device. In addition, the starting price in the original report is given in the range of $2,000 to $2,500, while some publications (dgl.ru) cite a lower bound of "from $2,000." There is currently no official confirmation from Apple.
Price and Market Expectations
The starting price of the iPhone Ultra is expected to be between $2,000 and $2,500. Despite the high price tag and a camera system that is simpler than that of regular flagships, analysts believe the new device will become a new flagship benchmark for the entire mobile market. The launch of a foldable smartphone from Apple could boost user interest in this category of devices overall and lift sales of other models from the brand. The official announcement of the flexible iPhone Ultra is expected at the September 2026 event, alongside the flagship iPhone 18 Pro series.
