Apple slated to launch first foldable iPhone at September event
Apple is expected to unveil its inaugural foldable iPhone, dubbed the iPhone Ultra, at the September 9 "Surprise and shine" event, with pre-orders likely to begin on September 12 and a starting price near $2,000.
Apple plans to introduce its first foldable smartphone, referred to as the iPhone Ultra, during the company's September 9 "Surprise and shine" event. The device is expected to feature a shorter passport-style design, dual rear cameras, Touch ID on the power button, and a near-invisible central crease. Rumors suggest a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, with a thickness of about 4.5 mm when open and 9-9.5 mm when closed.
Analyst Mark Gurman told Bloomberg that the foldable will likely launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, saying:
"I would be very surprised if [Apple’s] foldable phone did not come out at the same time as the new Pro phones or very close to it."
Pre-orders are anticipated to start on Saturday, September 12, avoiding the September 11 anniversary of the 2001 attacks. Pricing estimates have risen amid a global RAM shortage, with a base price projected around $1,999 in the United States, roughly 80 % higher than the iPhone 17 Pro. Higher-capacity models could cost significantly more.
The Ultra may use titanium for durability and could incorporate a liquid-metal hinge, ultra-thin glass, and optical adhesive to minimize the visible crease. It is expected to run on an A20 chip built on TSMC's 2 nm process, paired with at least 12 GB of RAM to support advanced AI features. iOS 27 is rumored to include new multitasking capabilities and a "foldstate" detection system to manage the dual screens.
Camera specifications are likely to include two 48-MP rear lenses (main and ultra-wide) and a 24-MP front sensor on the cover display. Battery capacity is rumored to be around 4,800 mAh, possibly split between two internal modules.
Color options may follow the muted palette of recent Pro models, with black, dark gray, silver, white, and a potential deep-blue variant. The official product name remains unconfirmed, though internal references to "Ultra" have been reported.