Apple's first foldable iPhone is finally expected to be unveiled later this year alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. The device, dubbed the iPhone Ultra, is likely to enter into a category which already has rivals from Samsung, Oppo, Google, and other brands. While there are still a few weeks to go before its debut, a select group of people have reportedly had a chance to try out Apple's first ever foldable. They praise its larger display yet a pocket-friendly design, hinge, and iPad-like app layouts.
iPhone Ultra User Experience
According to Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter, people who have used the iPhone Ultra like how it look and fits into a pocket. The hinge mechanism is also said to have impressed early users, with its durability and overall feel reportedly standing out.
On the front, Apple's foldable is expected to offer a conventional foldable experience, with a compact outer screen when folded, and a considerably larger internal display when opened. Apple is also reportedly working on software changes to make better use of the larger display, including iPad-like app layouts.
The seasoned journalist said that the iPhone Ultra could be better suited to watching videos, playing games and handling productivity tasks than a conventional iPhone.
A key feature is reportedly the camera experience, where the large inner display can double up as a camera viewfinder, making it easier to frame photographs and videos. There is, however, a notable compromise: the foldable iPhone is reportedly not expected to have a telephoto camera.
That omission could be significant given the expected price. According to previous reports, the iPhone Ultra could be priced at "at least $2,000, if not more." Per Gurman, Samsung's latest foldable, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, is priced at around $1,900 (1.89 lakh), while Apple is expected to position its purported handset as a more premium offering.
But despite its late entry, the purported foldable is still rumoured to have a significant impact on the foldable smartphone category. Reports suggest that the iPhone Ultra could account for as much as 25 percent of the global foldable smartphone shipments within months of its debut.
While Apple is alleged to have asked suppliers to prepare for production of around 10 million units this year, the purported handset may not become available for pre-orders until Q4 2026. As a result, the iPhone Ultra could be offered only in the US at launch, with analysts suggesting this could be "primarily down to supply and pricing issues".
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