iPhone Ultra vs Galaxy Z Fold 8: What the Foldable iPhone Could Look Like

Apple's first foldable iPhone is finally getting close to becoming a reality. The device, reportedly called the iPhone Ultra, is expected to arrive this month with a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner screen. Interestingly, those dimensions are almost identical to Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Fold 8, which gives us an unusual opportunity to get an idea of what Apple's long-rumored foldable could look and feel like before Apple officially shows it.

Samsung introduced the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in July, and while the two phones will obviously have different designs, their similar dimensions make Samsung's foldable a useful reference point. You can see the general proportions, folded footprint and unfolded screen size in a real device rather than relying entirely on leaked renders or dummy units.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Offers a Glimpse of the iPhone Ultra

The biggest question surrounding Apple's foldable has always been how large it will actually feel in everyday use. Specifications can tell us that the inner screen will measure around 7.6 inches, but seeing a similarly sized foldable in someone's hand gives that number much more meaning.

Photos shared by early Galaxy Z Fold 8 users and enthusiasts show just how much screen Samsung manages to fit into a device that can still be carried like a regular smartphone when folded. With the iPhone Ultra reportedly using nearly identical screen dimensions, it could offer a similar balance between a compact outer display and a much larger tablet-like screen when opened.

That does not mean the two phones will look identical. Apple's hardware is expected to have its own proportions and design language, including curved corners, but the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is probably the closest real-world comparison available right now.

The iPhone Ultra Could Feel Like a Mini Tablet

One of the more interesting comparisons comes from putting the Galaxy Z Fold 8 beside an iPad mini. Photos shared by Ray Wong highlight how close the foldable's internal display can feel to a small tablet once it is opened.

That is arguably the biggest appeal of Apple's rumored approach. Instead of carrying a phone and a tablet separately, the iPhone Ultra could give users a large workspace that folds into a much smaller device. The experience would be particularly useful for reading, watching videos, browsing websites or working with apps that benefit from additional screen space.

The important distinction is portability. An iPad mini gives you a larger display, but it still needs to be carried as a separate device. A foldable iPhone could put that larger screen inside the phone you already carry everywhere.

Could It Bring Back the Spirit of the iPhone Mini?

Another comparison has caught the attention of iPhone fans who still miss the compact iPhone mini.

Enthusiast Shishir Shelke shared photos comparing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 with the iPhone 13 mini. Surprisingly, the iPhone 13 mini is slightly taller, while the folded Galaxy remains relatively compact despite opening into a much larger display.

The comparison is interesting because the iPhone Ultra could offer something that Apple's current lineup does not: a phone that feels relatively small when folded but transforms into a substantially larger screen when needed. It is not a replacement for the iPhone mini in the traditional sense, but it could appeal to people who liked the idea of a compact device without wanting to sacrifice screen size.

What About Moving Your Data to a Foldable iPhone?

A completely new iPhone form factor is exciting, but switching devices still comes with the same familiar chore: moving everything from your old phone to the new one. A larger screen and new design do not mean much if your photos, contacts and other important data are left behind on the old device.

This is where innovative transfer tools can make the transition easier. For users moving from an Android phone to an iPhone, features designed for Tmobile contact transfer or Tmobile data transfer can be useful when bringing important information to a new device. Smart Transfer is built around making phone data easier to move and manage, which can be particularly helpful when upgrading to an entirely different type of device such as a foldable iPhone.

The same issue applies whether you are moving contacts, photos or other personal files. The more years you spend with a smartphone, the more digital baggage comes with it, so a smoother transfer process can make the excitement of setting up a new device much easier to enjoy.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 May Be Our Best Preview Yet

Until Apple officially unveils the iPhone Ultra, leaked dummy models and renders can only tell us so much. A real foldable with almost the same screen dimensions provides something those images cannot: a sense of scale.

Based on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the iPhone Ultra could offer a surprisingly large inner display without becoming enormous when folded. That combination could be one of the device's biggest selling points, particularly for users who want tablet-like screen space without carrying another device.

Apple's approach will ultimately depend on its own design, software and hardware choices, so the Galaxy Z Fold 8 should not be treated as an exact preview. Still, if the rumored 5.5-inch outer and 7.6-inch inner displays are accurate, Samsung's latest foldable gives us a remarkably useful idea of what Apple's first foldable iPhone could feel like in the real world.

And after years of rumors, we may not have to wait much longer to find out.