Apple is about to do something it has never done before. After years of rumours and speculation, the company is finally launching its first ever foldable iPhone — the Apple iPhone Ultra. It is expected to arrive in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Furthermore, it is shaping up to be one of the most significant iPhone launches since the original iPhone in 2007.
The iPhone Ultra is not just another foldable phone. It is Apple’s answer to Samsung, Huawei and Google — and it arrives with a liquid metal hinge, a near-crease-free display, the most powerful iPhone chip ever made and the largest battery ever put in an iPhone. Here is everything confirmed and leaked about the Apple iPhone Ultra so far.
Contents
- 1 Apple iPhone Ultra Release Date
- 2 Apple iPhone Ultra Price
- 3 Apple iPhone Ultra Design
- 4 Apple iPhone Ultra Specs
- 5 Apple iPhone Ultra Key New Features
- 6 Apple iPhone Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — Head to Head
- 7 How to Take a Screenshot on Apple iPhone Ultra
- 8 Should You Buy the Apple iPhone Ultra?
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
- 10 Internal Links
- 11 Outbound Links
Apple iPhone Ultra Release Date
Current leaks point to a September 2026 release, launching alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple typically holds its annual iPhone event in the second week of September. Therefore, expect an announcement around September 9–10, 2026 with availability following in late September.
One scheduling detail worth knowing — the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Plus, along with the budget iPhone 18e, are reportedly being pushed to spring 2027. In other words, the headline fall 2026 launch belongs almost entirely to the iPhone Ultra and the two Pro models. As a result, the iPhone Ultra will receive all of Apple’s marketing attention this September.
Apple iPhone Ultra Price
Apple will price the device between $2,000 and $2,500, creating a new ultra-premium tier above the Pro Max. Additionally, preliminary listings place the iPhone Ultra price at about 2,200 EUR in Europe.
Here is the expected pricing breakdown:
| Storage | Expected Price |
|---|---|
| 256GB | ~$2,000 |
| 512GB | ~$2,200 |
| 1TB | ~$2,500 |
This makes the iPhone Ultra the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold. However, it also positions it directly against the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which starts at $1,999. Therefore, Apple is pricing the iPhone Ultra to compete head-to-head with Samsung’s best foldable.
Apple iPhone Ultra Design
The iPhone Ultra introduces a completely new form factor for Apple. Previous leaks point to a 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch internal panel that unfolds to a 4:3 aspect ratio — closer to a tablet than a widescreen.
Liquid Metal Hinge — Apple’s Biggest Engineering Achievement
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a liquid metal hinge. This is a first for any Apple product. The liquid metal hinge is more durable, more precise and more resistant to wear than the standard metal hinges used by Samsung and other Android foldables. Furthermore, Apple’s design team appears to have tackled the infamous crease problem with a liquid metal hinge mechanism combined with a metal dispersion plate.
Ultra-Thin Body
Apple is targeting an ultra-thin body when unfolded, possibly around 4.5mm to 4.8mm. When folded, the device could be closer to 9mm to 9.5mm. This makes the iPhone Ultra thinner than most Android foldables when open — a significant engineering achievement given the hardware packed inside.
Titanium and Aluminium Frame
The device uses a titanium and aluminum frame with a crease-free hinge design. The premium materials are consistent with Apple’s Pro lineup. Additionally, leaked factory dummy units show a clean, minimalist design with dual rear cameras and a punch-hole selfie camera on both displays.
Touch ID Returns — No Face ID
The foldable iPhone is expected to swap Face ID for a Touch ID sensor on the power button, which will let Apple keep the thickness of the device in check. Instead of Dynamic Island, both displays will likely come with punch-hole selfie cameras. This is a deliberate engineering trade-off. Face ID requires significant depth sensors that take up internal space. Touch ID in the power button is thinner and equally secure. However, this means the iPhone Ultra will not have the Dynamic Island — a feature exclusive to Face ID iPhones.
Apple iPhone Ultra Specs
Here is the full breakdown of all confirmed and leaked iPhone Ultra specifications:
| Apple iPhone Ultra | |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | September 2026 (expected) |
| Inner Display | 7.8-inch OLED, 120Hz, 4:3 ratio |
| Cover Display | 5.5-inch OLED, 120Hz, Ceramic Shield |
| Chipset | A20 Pro (2nm TSMC process) |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Main Camera | 48MP wide |
| Ultrawide Camera | 48MP ultrawide |
| Front Cameras | Punch-hole on both displays |
| Battery | 5,500 – 5,800mAh |
| Modem | Apple C2 (5G satellite internet) |
| Biometrics | Touch ID in power button |
| Hinge | Liquid metal |
| Frame | Titanium and aluminium |
| OS | iOS 27 |
| Starting Price | ~$2,000 |
Apple iPhone Ultra Key New Features
A20 Pro Chip — The Most Powerful iPhone Chip Ever
The iPhone Ultra is powered by the A20 Pro built on TSMC’s 2nm process, paired with 12GB of RAM. This is the same chip generation as the iPhone 18 Pro. However, the A20 Pro in the iPhone Ultra is expected to be optimised for multi-display multitasking — handling two active screens simultaneously without any performance or battery penalty. As a result, this is the most powerful chip Apple has ever put in an iPhone.
Largest Battery Ever in an iPhone
Some leaks suggest the first foldable iPhone could use a battery capacity in the 5,400mAh to 5,800mAh range, which would make it one of the largest batteries ever used in an iPhone-style device. For context, the iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a 4,685mAh battery. Therefore, the iPhone Ultra’s battery is roughly 25% larger. Combined with the efficiency of the A20 Pro chip, this could deliver all-day battery life even with both displays in active use.
5G Satellite Internet
The iPhone Ultra includes Apple’s new C2 modem — the second generation of Apple’s in-house cellular chip. This modem supports 5G satellite internet connectivity, meaning you can send messages, use Apple Maps and browse the web even in areas with no cellular coverage at all. This goes far beyond the existing Emergency SOS satellite feature and makes the iPhone Ultra a truly always-connected device.
Near-Crease-Free Inner Display
Apple has spent years working on its foldable display technology. The iPhone Ultra is engineered to deliver a premium user experience with a crease-free display and liquid hinge technology. Multiple leaks confirm Apple is using a combination of flexible OLED panels supplied by Samsung Display and its own optically clear adhesive (OCA) layer designed to absorb stress and reduce crease visibility. As a result, the iPhone Ultra’s inner display crease is expected to be significantly less visible than any Samsung foldable.
iOS 27 — Built for Foldables
The iPhone Ultra launches with iOS 27 — Apple’s first operating system built with foldable support from day one. iOS 27 code references confirm Apple is actively developing foldable-specific features including new windowing modes, side-by-side app layouts and a landscape-optimised home screen. Furthermore, the new Siri powered by Google Gemini is perfectly suited for the larger 7.8-inch inner display — making the iPhone Ultra the best device for Apple Intelligence features.
Camera Control Button
Apple sees the Camera Control button as a key feature of the foldable iPhone Ultra. The Camera Control button — introduced on the iPhone 16 — allows you to launch the camera, adjust settings and take photos with a single physical button. Apple has made deliberate engineering compromises to keep this feature on the iPhone Ultra despite the device being significantly thinner than other iPhones.
Apple iPhone Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — Head to Head
| Feature | iPhone Ultra | Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Inner display | 7.8-inch, 4:3 | 8-inch, 4:4 |
| Cover display | 5.5-inch | 6.5-inch |
| Chipset | A20 Pro (2nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Main camera | 48MP | 200MP |
| Battery | 5,500 – 5,800mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Biometrics | Touch ID | Face ID (under display) |
| Hinge | Liquid metal | Standard metal |
| Satellite internet | ✅ Yes (C2 modem) | ❌ No |
| Starting price | ~$2,000 | $1,999 |
| Launch date | September 2026 | August 2026 |
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra has a larger cover display, a more powerful camera system and launches a full month earlier. However, the iPhone Ultra has a larger battery, thinner body, liquid metal hinge and satellite internet. Therefore, both phones target different buyers — Android users will prefer the Fold 8 Ultra while iPhone users finally have a premium foldable option of their own.
How to Take a Screenshot on Apple iPhone Ultra
The iPhone Ultra will support the standard iOS screenshot method:
- Press the Side button + Volume Up button at the same time on either display
Additionally, with iOS 27’s new Siri you will be able to say “Hey Siri, take a screenshot” and it saves automatically without pressing any buttons. For a complete guide on all iPhone screenshot methods, read our Apple screenshot guide.
Should You Buy the Apple iPhone Ultra?
Yes — if you are an iPhone user ready for a foldable. The iPhone Ultra is the most complete first-generation foldable any company has ever launched. The liquid metal hinge, near-crease-free display, A20 Pro chip and massive battery make it a genuinely impressive device. Furthermore, the seamless iOS 27 integration gives it an advantage over Android foldables in terms of software polish.
Wait — if you need the best camera. The dual 48MP camera system is good but not at the level of the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s triple camera setup. If photography is your priority, the iPhone 18 Pro Max remains the better choice.
Consider — if you are switching from Android. The iPhone Ultra offers a clean entry point into the Apple ecosystem with the largest iPhone screen ever made. Additionally, the 5G satellite internet and A20 Pro chip give it a technical edge over most Android foldables in several key areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Apple iPhone Ultra? The Apple iPhone Ultra is Apple’s first ever foldable iPhone. It features a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover display, an A20 Pro chip, a liquid metal hinge and the largest battery ever in an iPhone — expected to launch in September 2026.
When does the Apple iPhone Ultra come out? The iPhone Ultra is expected to launch in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple typically announces new iPhones in the second week of September.
How much does the Apple iPhone Ultra cost? The iPhone Ultra is expected to start at around $2,000 for the 256GB model, with higher storage options reaching up to $2,500. This makes it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold.
Is it called iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold? Most recent leaks suggest Apple will call it the iPhone Ultra rather than iPhone Fold. The Ultra name positions it as a new top-tier tier above the Pro Max — consistent with Apple’s Ultra branding on Apple Watch Ultra and M-series Ultra chips.
Does the iPhone Ultra have Face ID? No. The iPhone Ultra uses Touch ID in the power button instead of Face ID. This decision saves internal space and allows Apple to make the device thinner. Both displays use punch-hole selfie cameras rather than Dynamic Island.
What chip does the Apple iPhone Ultra have? The iPhone Ultra is expected to use the A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process — the same chip generation as the iPhone 18 Pro, optimised for dual-display multitasking.
Does the iPhone Ultra have satellite internet? Yes. The iPhone Ultra includes Apple’s new C2 modem which supports 5G satellite internet connectivity — allowing you to browse, navigate and send messages even with no cellular signal.
How does the iPhone Ultra compare to Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8? Both phones start at around $2,000. The Fold 8 Ultra has a bigger cover display and better camera. However, the iPhone Ultra has a larger battery, thinner design, liquid metal hinge and satellite internet. The Fold 8 Ultra also launches one month earlier in August 2026.
Internal Links
- iOS 27 — Every New Feature, Release Date & Compatible iPhones
- How to Screenshot on iPhone — Full Guide
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — Everything You Need to Know
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide — Everything You Need to Know
Outbound Links
Arslan Jaffar is a mobile tech writer and the founder of Screenshot Geek, a resource covering 500+ Android and iOS devices. He writes step-by-step screenshot guides, troubleshooting fixes, tips and tricks, top device lists, and the latest news in the smartphone world. With a focus on making technology simple and accessible, Arslan helps thousands of users get the most out of their phones — from finding the right button combo to mastering hidden features most people don’t know exist.