It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated devices in Apple‘s 50–year history.
And now a report has revealed what Apple’s first foldable smartphone will be called.
Until now, the device has been widely referred to as the iPhone Fold.
However, according to Macworld, Apple has instead opted for the title of ‘iPhone Ultra’.
‘While “iPhone Fold” might seem like the most obvious choice, Apple is expected to go with “iPhone Ultra” as the marketing name for the new phone, according to our sources,’ Macworld explained.
What’s more, the report claims that the foldable iPhone isn’t the only ‘Ultra’ product Apple is working on.
The tech giant is also planning a high–end MacBook Ultra early next year – and could even expand the branding to AirPods and iPads in the near future.
‘Like the iPhone and MacBook, an iPad Ultra would be a more expensive and more experimental device. In that context, the “Ultra” brand also seems like a perfect fit,’ Macworld added.
It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated devices in Apple’s 50–year history. And now a report has revealed what Apple’s first foldable smartphone will be called
According to the report, the iPhone Ultra will sit alongside the iPhone 18 lineup, and will be revealed to the world at Apple’s annual event this September.
‘The iPhone Ultra won’t technically be part of the iPhone 18 lineup, which means it won’t have the number 18 in its name, similar to last year’s iPhone Air,’ it explained.
‘However, the iPhone Ultra is expected to be the marquee announcement at the iPhone 18 Pro event in September.
‘According to our source, Apple is working hard to ship the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models this fall without major delays.
‘However, the Ultra models may still hit stores a few weeks later and in smaller quantities.’
While Apple usually announces upgrades to the base iPhone models at the September event, it has a different launch strategy this year, the report adds.
Macworld said: ‘Unlike previous years, Apple won’t upgrade the base iPhone and iPhone Air this fall, shifting those models to the first half of 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e.’
The news comes shortly after Jon Prosser, a YouTuber known for his Apple leaks, claimed that Apple aims to set itself apart from its rivals with the ‘crease’.
A tipster recently revealed what he claims is the dummy model of Apple’s first foldable smartphone
Apple experimented with both clamshell and book–style designs, but eventually settled on the book–style, according to Mr Prosser
‘One big drawback to foldables, regardless of how cool they may look and feel, is that from too many angles, you can see and feel a crease down the middle of the plastic display where the hinge is,’ Mr Prosser explained.
While this issue has plagued Samsung and Google for years, Apple has ‘completely subverted’ it, according to the leaker.
He explained that the tech giant will do this by using a metal plate to disperse the pressure of bending the display, along with liquid metal in the hinge itself.
The outside of the device will almost look like a standard iPhone measuring around 9mm thick, with a 5.5–inch display.
‘That’s relatively thin considering when you unfold this thing you’ll be greeted with a 7.8–inch iPad like display,’ Mr Prosser said.
‘You’re looking at 4.5mm thin – it’s kinda crazy.’
Of course, one of the features users will be most interested in is the camera.
According to the YouTuber, there will be a total of four cameras – one on the outside, two rear–facing, and one on the inside.
Meanwhile, one of the most unusual rumoured features is the return of Touch ID, in place of Face ID.
Mr Prosser explained: ‘In terms of security, Touch ID will be making a return, right in the power button, which is also returning to the top of the phone.’
While Apple delighted fans this year with orange and blue version of its Pro smartphones, it’s expected to opt for more muted tones in the foldable.
‘The only colours available will be black and white,’ Mr Prosser said.
The leaker also gave an indication of the price – which he calls ‘very, very expensive’.
‘We’re talking something in the ballpark of $2,000–$2,500,’ he added.
As ever, Apple is remaining tight–lipped on all iPhone Fold rumours.
Speaking to the Daily Mail at Apple’s London HQ in September following the launch of the iPhone 17 series, John Ternus, Apple’s newly announced CEO, politely declined to even discuss the subject.
‘You probably know we never talk about anything in the future,’ he said.
‘We are so excited to talk about what we’re going to be shipping to people tomorrow.’
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1, 1976, as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh in California on February 6, 1984
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
Steve Jobs, then-chief executive officer of Apple, with the iPhone
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California, with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
Jobs at an Apple event at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its brick-and-mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
2021: In an online virtual event in April, CEO Tim Cook declares Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year, the iPhone 13 was announced.
2022: In September, the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash, as well as an improved camera system.
2023: Apple brings back its ‘Home Pod’ after the first generation was discontinued. The ‘Home Pod’ can be seen as an alternative to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, as it is powered by voice commands.
2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once, with many delayed until the following year.
2026: Apple announces a leadership shakeup. After 15 years leading the company, Tim Cook steps aside from his position as CEO to become executive chairman. John Ternus, 51, Apple’s widely respected hardware chief, will take over as CEO on September 1.
