The MacRumors Show: Apple’s Foldable iPhone ‘Ultra’ Edition

wasabi · April 23, 2026, 9:38am

On this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show, the focus is on Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone—now increasingly referred to in leaks as the “iPhone Ultra.” The device is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most significant iPhone redesigns to date, potentially marking a major shift in both hardware strategy and product identity.

The discussion centers on the growing body of rumors suggesting that Apple’s foldable iPhone will not simply be another incremental update, but rather a fundamental rethinking of the iPhone form factor. Unlike traditional slab-style designs, the device is expected to adopt a book-style folding mechanism that opens into a larger internal display, positioning it somewhere between an iPhone and a compact iPad experience.

Recent reports also suggest Apple is taking a highly unconventional approach compared to existing foldables on the market. Rather than directly copying current industry designs, Apple is believed to be focusing on durability, display quality, and long-term usability, with special attention on reducing the visibility of the crease and improving hinge reliability.

The rumored “iPhone Ultra” name is also part of the discussion, with speculation that Apple may avoid the “Fold” branding entirely. Instead, the Ultra designation would align with Apple’s existing high-end product tiers and reinforce the device’s expected premium positioning, especially given anticipated pricing of $2,000 or more.

Other rumored details include a compact outer display, a larger inner screen for multitasking, and potential biometric changes such as Touch ID integrated into the power button instead of Face ID, due to internal space constraints in the ultra-thin design.

Overall, the episode highlights how Apple’s foldable iPhone is increasingly being viewed not just as a new product category, but as a complete redesign of the iPhone experience, with implications that could reshape the future of Apple’s smartphone lineup.

iPhone Ultra Rumors: Apple’s Most Radical iPhone Redesign Yet

The iPhone Ultra—Apple’s rumored foldable flagship—is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max this fall, although reports suggest it may arrive slightly later than the Pro models, potentially as late as December. With a projected starting price of over $2,000, it is expected to become the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released.

Design: A Completely New iPhone Form Factor

The device is described as a book-style foldable iPhone with a distinctive passport-like shape and a wider-than-tall 4:3 aspect ratio, setting it apart from existing foldables on the market.

According to recent leaks, the device will feature:

5.5-inch outer display when closed
7.8-inch inner OLED display when unfolded
A design that closely mirrors an iPad mini-like experience in expanded mode

This makes the unfolded screen just slightly smaller than the iPad mini, reinforcing Apple’s goal of blending smartphone portability with tablet functionality.

Materials, Thickness & Build

Design leaks suggest Apple is pushing extreme thinness with this device:

Approximately 4.5mm thickness when unfolded, making it Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever
Titanium outer frame for durability
Aluminum inner frame for structural balance
Glass back with a shortened “iPhone Air”-style camera plateau

The ultra-thin design is central to Apple’s engineering challenge, but it also introduces significant tradeoffs in hardware integration.

Cameras, Buttons & Biometrics

Due to space constraints, the camera system and hardware layout are simplified compared to Pro models:

Dual 48-megapixel rear camera system
No telephoto lens, unlike Pro iPhones
Front-facing camera uses a single punch-hole cutout, resulting in a smaller Dynamic Island
Touch ID power button replaces Face ID due to lack of space for the TrueDepth system
Camera Control remains on the right edge
Volume buttons reportedly relocated to the top edge

These changes reflect the compromises required to achieve the ultra-thin foldable form factor.

Performance & Hardware

Under the hood, the iPhone Ultra is expected to include:

A20 chip
12GB of RAM
Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
Color options limited to black and white
Battery capacity estimated between 5,400mAh and 5,800mAh, unusually large for an iPhone

Despite its thin profile, the device is expected to pack one of the largest batteries ever used in an iPhone.

Software: iPad-Like Multitasking

With its larger inner display, the iPhone Ultra is expected to support:

iPad-style multitasking layouts
Side-by-side app usage when unfolded
Enhanced productivity features tailored for the larger screen

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has described the device as the “most significant overhaul in the iPhone’s history.”

Tradeoffs & Compromises

Achieving a 4.5mm folded design requires significant sacrifices, similar to Apple’s ultra-thin “Air” devices:

No Face ID system
No triple-lens camera setup
Reduced hardware space for speakers and sensors compared to Pro models

These compromises highlight Apple’s focus on form factor innovation over feature parity with flagship Pro devices.

Production & Supply Concerns

Despite strong expectations, production appears challenging:

Initial orders estimated between 15–20 million units
Expected high price may limit demand
Potential manufacturing yield issues could delay smooth scaling until 2027
Analysts warn of possible shortages extending into late 2026

Some industry observers also point to weaker-than-expected performance of other premium devices as a cautionary indicator for this new category.

Pricing & Market Position

The iPhone Ultra is expected to start at:

$2,000+ base price, potentially higher depending on configuration

Despite its niche positioning, IDC estimates it could capture over 22% share of the foldable smartphone segment in its first year, though that category itself remains relatively small.