If the reports are accurate, Apple appears to be focusing on making its first foldable useful as both a phone and a compact tablet, rather than relying on the folding design alone.
Apple’s rumored iPhone Ultra could feature a 5.5-inch outer display, a 7.8-inch folding screen, MagSafe charging and new multitasking features when it is unveiled at Apple’s September event.
The details come from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in an interview with Tom’s Guide, as reported by 9to5Mac. Gurman also expects the foldable iPhone to use Apple’s latest Pro-level processor and cellular modem, while pricing could start above $2,000.
Apple has not officially announced the iPhone Ultra, its name, specifications or price.
Key Facts
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Product | Rumored Apple iPhone Ultra |
| Form factor | Book-style foldable phone |
| Outer display | 5.5 inches |
| Inner display | 7.8 inches |
| Charging | MagSafe expected |
| Multitasking | Side-by-side apps and drag and drop |
| Software | iOS 27 |
| Processor | Latest Apple Pro-level chip |
| Expected price | More than $2,000 |
| Apple event | September 9, 2026 |
What Does the Latest iPhone Ultra Report Claim?
Gurman says Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to have a 5.5-inch cover screen and a larger 7.8-inch display when opened.
The device is also expected to use Apple’s latest Pro-level processor and its latest in-house cellular modem.
One important detail involves MagSafe.
Earlier leaks created uncertainty over whether Apple could fit its magnetic charging system inside the thin foldable design. Gurman now says the information he has received indicates MagSafe will be included.
That would allow the iPhone Ultra to work with compatible magnetic chargers, stands and other MagSafe accessories.
Will the iPhone Ultra Have a Crease-Free Display?
The fold in the iPhone Ultra’s main display may be difficult to see, but the latest report suggests it will not be completely invisible.
Gurman said the crease could be comparable to recent Samsung foldable phones and potentially better in some situations.
Apple is also reportedly using a liquid-metal hinge and has placed significant focus on durability. The goal is said to be making the foldable as durable as possible compared with conventional iPhones.
None of these hardware details have been confirmed by Apple.
How Will Multitasking Work on the iPhone Ultra?
The larger display could be one of the biggest differences between the iPhone Ultra and a normal iPhone.
According to Gurman, iOS 27 is expected to support iPad-style app layouts on the foldable device.
Users could run two applications next to each other and drag content between them. For example, a user could move information from one open app directly into another without repeatedly switching between screens.
The expected 7.8-inch main display is slightly smaller than the 8.3-inch screen used by the current iPad mini.
Gurman also expects Apple to promote the larger display for video, web browsing, gaming and use as a bigger camera viewfinder.
When Could the iPhone Ultra Launch?
Apple has officially scheduled a special event for September 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
For viewers in the Philippines, the event starts on September 10 at 1 a.m. PHT.
Apple has not said which products it will announce.
Reuters reports that the company is expected to introduce its latest iPhone lineup and could unveil its first foldable phone during the event.
Gurman expects the foldable model to ship either alongside the new Pro iPhones or within a few weeks of them. He does not expect the much longer delays that some earlier reports suggested.
The exact preorder and release dates remain unconfirmed.
How Much Could the iPhone Ultra Cost?
The iPhone Ultra is expected to become Apple’s most expensive iPhone.
Gurman continues to expect a starting price above $2,000, although Apple has not announced official pricing.
At that level, the device would sit well above a conventional flagship iPhone and target customers willing to pay more for a foldable display and larger working area.
What Do We Know for Certain?
Apple has confirmed only that it will hold a special event on September 9.
The company has not confirmed:
- The iPhone Ultra name
- A foldable iPhone announcement
- The 5.5-inch and 7.8-inch display sizes
- MagSafe support
- The processor or modem
- Multitasking features specific to the foldable
- Pricing
- A release date
Reuters has independently reported that Apple is expected to introduce a foldable iPhone with a display similar in size to an iPad mini.
This supports the broader expectation that a foldable Apple phone is close, but it does not confirm the individual specifications reported by Gurman.
Why Does the iPhone Ultra Matter?
Apple would be entering a foldable phone market where Samsung and other Android manufacturers already have years of experience.
Reuters cited IDC estimates that foldable smartphone shipments could grow 12.6% in 2026, even as total global smartphone shipments are expected to decline sharply. IDC also expects Apple could ship more than 17 million foldable iPhones by 2027.
That makes the iPhone Ultra more than a new design experiment.
If Apple launches the device, it would create a new premium category above the traditional iPhone Pro lineup and give the company another way to increase the average price of the phones it sells.
What Should Buyers Do?
Anyone considering the iPhone Ultra should wait for Apple’s September 9 announcement before making a purchase decision.
Most of the important details remain based on reports and leaks.
Official confirmation should provide the final specifications, price, available storage options, cameras, battery details, preorder date and country availability.
For a device expected to cost more than $2,000, those details will matter when deciding whether its larger foldable display offers enough practical benefit over an iPhone Pro or an iPad.
What Is Still Unknown?
Several major questions remain unanswered.
Apple has not confirmed whether the device will actually be called iPhone Ultra. The final price, battery capacity, camera specifications, storage options and launch markets are also unknown.
It is also unclear how many units Apple will have available at launch.
Reuters reported in August that Apple was dealing with significant supply-chain shortages across its product business, while previous reports have suggested that initial supplies of the foldable could be limited.
What Happens Next?
Apple’s September 9 event should provide the first definitive answers.
If the foldable iPhone is announced, the most important details to watch will be its official name, price, display durability, battery life, cameras, multitasking capabilities and release date.
The event should also show whether Apple sees the product as a specialized premium device or the beginning of a larger change in the iPhone lineup.
SeberTech Analysis
The reported specifications suggest that software will be just as important as the folding hardware.
A 7.8-inch inner display provides substantially more usable screen space than the reported 5.5-inch outer screen. Side-by-side apps and drag-and-drop support would give users practical ways to use that additional area rather than simply displaying the same iPhone interface at a larger size.
Price will be the bigger limitation.
At more than $2,000, the iPhone Ultra would cost significantly more than a conventional premium smartphone. That means Apple will need to show clear benefits from the larger display, multitasking and foldable design to justify the additional cost.
The market data provides a reason for Apple to enter the category. IDC expects foldable shipments to grow 12.6% this year while the wider smartphone market contracts.
The measurable test will therefore be straightforward: whether Apple can turn the folding screen into useful everyday functionality and attract buyers at a price above $2,000. The September 9 announcement should make that easier to judge.
Sources: 9to5Mac, Tom’s Guide, Apple, Reuters
Written by Grace Hisona
Published: September 2, 2026
