In August 2026, the gadget industry is preparing for a massive transformation initiated by Apple. For years, rumors about a product line with the "Ultra" prefix remained speculative, but according to the latest data from authoritative insiders, the company is finally ready to bring this brand to market. It is expected that in the near future, we will see not one, but at least three fundamentally new devices united by this name: the first foldable smartphone, revolutionary headphones, and an updated line of laptops.
iPhone Ultra: Realizing the Dream of a Foldable Smartphone
The main event of the autumn 2026 release will be the launch of Apple's first-ever foldable smartphone. According to information obtained by MacRumors from Mark Gurman (Bloomberg) and confirmed by MacWorld data, the device will officially be named iPhone Ultra. The release is scheduled for September 2026. This device will be a response to the growing demand for mobile devices with flexible screens, which have dominated competitors' offerings for several years.
It is expected that the iPhone Ultra will not simply copy solutions from other vendors but will offer a unique engineering implementation. Experts predict that the smartphone will be equipped with advanced folding mechanisms and, possibly, innovative battery solutions to compensate for the increased power consumption of the flexible display.
AirPods Ultra: AI Integration and Health Monitoring
The second wave of "Ultra" branded novelties will affect audio devices. By the end of 2026, Apple plans to present the AirPods Ultra. It is important to note that these will not be entirely new over-ear headphones, as some previously assumed. Instead, this refers to a deep modernization of the current AirPods Pro lineup.
The key difference of the AirPods Ultra will be tiny IR cameras built directly into the earbud housing. These sensors are designed to provide new features related to artificial intelligence and user health. Thanks to the cameras, the headphones will be able to analyze the environment to improve noise cancellation, as well as conduct basic medical measurements, integrating with the Apple Health ecosystem.
MacBook Ultra: Transition to OLED and Touch Screens
The most ambitious project in the Ultra lineup will be the update of the laptop line, expected in early 2027. Unlike previous forecasts pointing to the release of MacBook Pro, the new models will be positioned as MacBook Ultra. This will be a significant moment, as the company will for the first time equip its laptops with OLED screens, which will radically improve color reproduction and contrast.
In addition to the display, MacBook Ultra models will feature touch panels, marking Apple's first step towards abandoning physical keyboards in favor of fully digital input interfaces. Under the hood, new M5 Pro and M5 Max SoC chips are expected, which will provide a colossal performance boost. The new models will also feature a reduced Dynamic Island cutout and, possibly, Apple's own C2 modem for the first time, promising improved battery life and connection speed.
Contradictory Data
Despite the high level of detail in the leaks, there are disagreements within the analyst community regarding exact timelines and specifications. While MacRumors and Bloomberg agree on the name "Ultra" for all three products, the 9to5mac source in its July 2026 materials mentions five products launching this autumn, without specifying whether all of them will carry the Ultra brand. Furthermore, some independent analysts are skeptical about the release dates for touch-screen MacBooks, suggesting that the technology may be delayed to a later date due to software calibration difficulties.
