Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable smartphone, reportedly designated the iPhone Ultra, at a “Surprise and Shine” event on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The device is slated to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, marking a significant shift in Apple’s hardware hierarchy by introducing a “passport-style” form factor that bridges the gap between its smallest smartphones and its compact tablets.
The iPhone Ultra’s design philosophy appears to prioritize a dual-purpose footprint. While the device’s inner display is slightly smaller than the 8.3-inch screen found on the current iPad mini, the panel reportedly offers approximately 57% more vertical screen real estate than an iPhone 17 Pro Max in landscape orientation.
To achieve this hybrid design, Apple has reportedly made significant engineering trade-offs focused on thickness and internal volume. The iPhone Ultra is expected to be roughly 4.5mm thick when unfolded, expanding to between 9.2mm and 9.5mm when closed. For comparison, this makes the unfolded Ultra significantly thinner than any current iPhone or iPad.
However, this thinness necessitates the removal of hardware staples. Reports indicate the iPhone Ultra will lack the Face ID sensors found on the Pro series, instead utilizing a side-mounted Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button to save internal space.
The iPhone Ultra’s position as a luxury productivity tool is reflected in its anticipated pricing. Reports suggest the device will start at over $2,000, placing it well above the Pro Max lineup. This price point targets a specific user base looking for a single device that can replicate the ergonomics of a mini-phone while providing the utility of a small tablet, despite the hardware compromises required to achieve that versatility.
