Apple iPhone Ultra Could Mark a New Era as the Company Enters the Foldable Phone Market

Apple is preparing to enter a smartphone category it has spent years watching from the sidelines. The company is expected to unveil its latest iPhone lineup on September 9, and growing speculation suggests the event could introduce Apple's first foldable smartphone, reportedly called the iPhone Ultra.

If the reports prove accurate, this would be one of Apple's most significant iPhone launches in years. Rather than simply refining the familiar smartphone design, Apple would be stepping into the foldable market already occupied by Samsung, Huawei, Google, Motorola, and several other manufacturers. The device is also expected to come with a premium price, with early reports suggesting a starting point of around €2,200 when it reaches stores later this year.

What Is the Rumored iPhone Ultra?

The iPhone Ultra is expected to take a noticeably different approach to the traditional iPhone design. Instead of relying on a single display, Apple's first foldable device could feature two screens: a larger internal display measuring approximately 19.8 centimeters that opens like a book, along with a 13.5-centimeter outer display for more conventional smartphone tasks.

This setup could allow the device to work as a regular phone when closed while offering a much larger, tablet-like workspace when opened. That flexibility is one of the main reasons foldable phones have continued to attract attention. Users can carry a device that fits into their pocket while gaining more screen space when browsing, watching content, multitasking, or working with multiple apps.

The iPhone Ultra is also rumored to feature four cameras, including two rear cameras, one positioned on the internal display, and another front-facing camera for selfies and video calls when the device is closed. Apple has not confirmed any of these details, so the final design could still change before the official launch.

The A20 Pro Chip Could Bring Faster Performance and Better Efficiency

Under the hood, the foldable iPhone is expected to use Apple's next-generation A20 Pro processor, which could also appear in the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Early reports suggest that the new chip may deliver around 18% faster performance while consuming approximately 30% less energy than the previous A19 Pro.

That combination could be particularly important for a foldable phone. Running two displays and supporting a larger internal screen could place additional demands on battery life, making efficiency just as important as raw performance. Of course, how those numbers translate into everyday use will depend on Apple's final hardware, software, battery capacity, and approach to new AI-powered features.

Moving to a Foldable iPhone Could Bring a Familiar Challenge

A completely new type of iPhone may introduce exciting possibilities, but upgrading to a new device still comes with one familiar task: moving your data. Photos, contacts, videos, documents, and other important files all need to make the journey from your old phone to the new one.

That is where a reliable transfer app can be useful. Smart Transfer is designed to help simplify the process of moving important content between compatible devices, making it easier to set up a new phone without manually sorting through every category of data.

It can also help when you need easy file sharing between devices or want a fast share option for selected files. Whether you are preparing to move to a new foldable phone or simply sending content between devices you already use, having transfer and sharing tools in one place can make the process feel much more straightforward.

Apple Could Introduce an Unusual Foldable Design

One of the more unusual rumors surrounding the iPhone Ultra involves its physical design. Leaked screen protector images have reportedly pointed to asymmetrical corners, with sharper right-angle corners on one side and more rounded corners on the other.

If Apple adopts this approach, the iPhone Ultra could look noticeably different from the symmetrical design language people associate with a traditional iPhone. However, accessory leaks do not always reveal the complete picture, particularly when they are based on early designs or unconfirmed manufacturing information. For now, it remains one of the more interesting details surrounding a device that is already expected to look very different from any previous iPhone.

Apple Is Entering a Foldable Market Already Led by Samsung

Apple would not be creating a new market with the iPhone Ultra. It would be entering a category that has been developing for years, with Samsung establishing itself as one of the dominant names through its Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series. Huawei, Google, Motorola, and other manufacturers have also introduced their own foldable devices, giving Apple plenty of established competition.

However, Apple could bring a different advantage to the category. The company has years of experience designing software for larger screens through the iPad, including multitasking, multi-window experiences, and apps optimized for more screen space. That could give Apple a strong foundation if the iPhone Ultra is designed to move smoothly between a traditional smartphone layout and a larger tablet-style interface.

The real challenge will be making that transition feel natural. A foldable phone is not simply a small tablet that closes. The software needs to adapt as the device changes shape, and apps need to make meaningful use of the additional display space. If Apple gets that experience right, its entry could have a significant impact on the wider foldable market.

Analysts Expect Strong Demand Despite the High Price

The iPhone Ultra is expected to be one of Apple's most expensive smartphones yet, but analysts still believe demand could be substantial. IDC reportedly expects Apple to sell more than 10 million units during the device's first year, with the base model potentially priced between €2,200 and €2,500. Models with additional storage could reportedly reach between €2,600 and €3,000.

Those prices place the device firmly in the ultra-premium category, even compared with Apple's existing Pro models. Still, Apple has repeatedly demonstrated that there is a market for expensive devices when buyers believe they offer a sufficiently different experience. The question is whether a foldable design will give existing iPhone users enough of a reason to accept the higher price.

John Ternus Could Take Center Stage at a Major Apple Moment

The September event could also represent an important moment for Apple's leadership. Incoming CEO John Ternus is expected to host the presentation, making it his first major public appearance in the role after taking over from Tim Cook.

Ternus previously served as Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering and has played an important role in the development of the company's products. If the iPhone Ultra is introduced during the event, his first major presentation as CEO could coincide with one of Apple's boldest hardware moves in recent years.

The event is also expected to include several other product announcements, with reports pointing to the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra, iPad mini 8, AirPods Pro, and possible updates to Apple TV and HomePod mini.

The iPhone Ultra Could Be Apple's Biggest Smartphone Experiment in Years

Apple has spent years refining the familiar iPhone formula, but the rumored iPhone Ultra could represent a major shift in direction. A folding design, dual displays, a larger internal screen, a new camera system, and the expected A20 Pro chip could make this one of the company's most ambitious smartphones to date.

The high price means the device will not be aimed at everyone, at least initially. But Apple entering the foldable market could do more than add another premium smartphone to its lineup. It could introduce millions of existing iPhone users to a category that has so far remained relatively specialized.

For now, much of the iPhone Ultra story remains based on rumors and industry reports. If Apple does reveal its first foldable iPhone on September 9, though, the event could mark the beginning of a very different chapter for the iPhone.