A small group of people have apparently already spent hands-on time with Apple’s first foldable iPhone Ultra, according to Mark Gurman, and the early word is largely positive, with one big exception. Internally referred to as “iPhone Ultra,” the device is winning testers over on fit, feel, and hinge quality, while its camera setup looks like the clearest compromise Apple made to get here.
Pocketability is the detail that stands out most. A phone that opens into a nearly 7.8-inch internal display folding down into something people describe as comfortable to carry isn’t a given, foldables have historically struggled with bulk. The hinge gets similar praise, both for how it feels in hand and its perceived durability, though Gurman notes that’s based on early impressions rather than any independent stress testing.
Software gets credit too. The larger unfolded screen runs iPad-style app layouts, genuinely useful for multitasking and productivity rather than just a bigger canvas for the same phone interface, and it apparently doubles as an unusually large camera viewfinder when shooting photos, according to Gurman.
Then there’s the camera itself. Gurman says the phone is expected to carry just two rear sensors, a 48MP main and 48MP ultrawide, with no dedicated telephoto lens at all, a real step down from the triple-camera systems on Apple’s Pro iPhones. That’s a tough sell on a phone rumored to start above $2,000 and potentially top $2,500 in higher storage tiers. Thinness seems to be driving most of these trade-offs, with Apple reportedly targeting around 4.5mm unfolded, tight enough that Face ID’s TrueDepth hardware apparently didn’t fit, leading to Touch ID built into the side button instead.
Apple’s expected to unveil this alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup around September 9, though nothing here is officially confirmed.
M Adnan Akram is the founder and lead writer at Phoonomo, covering mobile technology with a primary focus on Apple and the broader smartphone industry, alongside emerging developments in AI. He follows product launches, spec leaks, and industry trends closely to keep readers informed with timely updates.
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