iPhone Ultra 2026: Price, Release Date, Features & Everything We Know

What Is the iPhone Ultra?

The iPhone Ultra is Apple’s first foldable smartphone. After years of resisting the foldable trend that Samsung, Motorola, and others have championed, Apple is finally entering the category with a device that aims to redefine what an iPhone can be. The name “Ultra” positions it above the Pro and Pro Max line, making it the most premium iPhone ever created — not just in price, but in ambition.

Unlike the traditional candy-bar design we’ve known for nearly two decades, the iPhone Ultra adopts a book-style foldable form factor. When closed, it looks and feels like a compact, slightly thicker iPhone. When opened, it reveals a large inner display that’s roughly the size of an iPad mini — a device that Apple hopes will bridge the gap between phone and tablet[reference:0].

Rumored dimensions place the Ultra at an impressive 4.5 to 4.8 millimeters thick when unfolded, making it thinner than the iPhone Air[reference:1]. When folded, it measures about 9 to 9.5 millimeters, comparable to a regular flagship phone[reference:2]. The chassis is expected to be crafted from titanium and aluminum, with a liquid metal hinge designed to minimize the display crease — a common complaint on foldable devices[reference:3][reference:4].

Release Date: When Does It Arrive?

The iPhone Ultra is expected to be announced in September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max[reference:5][reference:6]. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the most likely event dates are September 8 or 9, with September 9 considered the stronger possibility[reference:7].

However, availability is where the story gets complicated. Unlike the standard Pro models, which typically go on sale within days of the announcement, the iPhone Ultra may not be available for pre-order until October or even the fourth quarter of 2026. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has drawn a direct comparison to the iPhone X launch in 2017, where the device was announced in September but pre-orders didn’t open until late October[reference:8]. If the pattern holds, you could be waiting four to six weeks or longer after the announcement to get your hands on one[reference:9].

Supply is expected to be extremely limited. Apple is reportedly preparing 7 to 8 million units for the entire year, compared to 20 to 22 million iPhone 18 Pro models[reference:10]. Kuo predicts the device will "sell out immediately after pre-orders open, with delivery lead times quickly stretching to 4-6 weeks or longer"[reference:11]. Resale prices could run 50% to 100% above retail while supply remains thin[reference:12].

Price: The Most Expensive iPhone Ever

The iPhone Ultra is rumored to carry a starting price between $2,299 and $2,500 in the United States[reference:13][reference:14]. That’s more than double the starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max[reference:15]. In Europe, prices could reach €2,500 to €3,000[reference:16], and in India, the starting price is expected to be around ₹2 lakh (roughly $2,400)[reference:17].

Storage options are rumored to include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations[reference:18]. Even the base model would make the iPhone Ultra the most expensive smartphone Apple has ever sold — a device reserved for early adopters, tech enthusiasts, and those willing to pay a premium for the foldable future.

Specifications: What’s Under the Hood?

Display

The iPhone Ultra features a book-style foldable design with two displays[reference:19]:

• Inner display: ~7.76 to 7.8 inches, OLED, with a 4:3 aspect ratio that closely resembles an iPad mini[reference:20][reference:21]
• Outer display: ~5.3 to 5.5 inches, OLED, fully usable as a standard iPhone when folded[reference:22][reference:23]

The inner display resolution is rumored to be 2713×1920, with the outer display at 2088×1422[reference:24]. Apple is reportedly pursuing a near‑invisible crease “regardless of cost”[reference:25], which could set a new standard for foldable display quality.

Chip and Performance

The iPhone Ultra will be powered by Apple’s next‑generation A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC’s advanced 2‑nanometer process[reference:26][reference:27]. This is expected to deliver significant performance and efficiency gains over the A18 series. The device will feature 12GB of RAM — the most ever in an iPhone — and is rumored to include Apple’s in‑house C2 modem with support for satellite communication[reference:28][reference:29].

Cameras

In a surprising move, the iPhone Ultra is expected to drop the telephoto lens entirely, despite its premium price tag[reference:30][reference:31]. The rear camera setup will consist of a dual‑camera system:

• 48MP main camera
• 48MP ultra‑wide camera
• No telephoto lens — a significant omission for a $2,000+ device[reference:32][reference:33]

The front cameras (one on the outer display, one on the inner display) are expected to be 18MP[reference:34]. The lack of a telephoto lens is reportedly due to space constraints within the foldable design — a trade‑off Apple had to make to achieve the thin profile.

Biometrics: Touch ID Returns, Face ID Is Out

In another surprising shift, the iPhone Ultra is expected to drop Face ID entirely[reference:35]. The TrueDepth camera system that powers Face ID simply doesn’t fit in the thin foldable chassis. Instead, Apple will integrate a Touch ID sensor into the power button — a feature that last appeared on the iPhone SE and iPad Air[reference:36][reference:37]. This marks the first time since 2017 that a flagship iPhone has launched without Face ID.

Battery

The iPhone Ultra is rumored to feature a massive 5,000 to 5,500 mAh battery — the largest ever in an iPhone[reference:38][reference:39]. This is necessary to power two OLED displays and support the power‑hungry A20 Pro chip. Some leakers suggest a combined capacity of nearly 4,900 mAh across a dual‑battery system[reference:40].

What Are Users Expecting?

User expectations for the iPhone Ultra are a mix of excitement and skepticism. On one hand, the foldable form factor represents the first major design change for the iPhone in years. On the other, it comes with significant trade‑offs that may not appeal to everyone.

Excitement: A New Form Factor

For many, the iPhone Ultra is a breath of fresh air. The ability to carry a device that unfolds into an iPad‑sized screen is a genuine productivity boost, especially for multitasking, reading, and media consumption[reference:41]. Apple’s rumored near‑invisible crease and ultra‑thin design could set a new benchmark for foldables[reference:42].

Skepticism: Trade‑Offs and Compromises

However, the trade‑offs are significant. The lack of a telephoto camera is a dealbreaker for photography enthusiasts[reference:43]. The absence of Face ID may feel like a step backward for users accustomed to the convenience and security of facial recognition[reference:44]. And the rumored overheating issues — due to the lack of a vapor chamber — could be a concern for power users[reference:45].

Perhaps the most divisive element is the price. For $2,500, many users expect a device that does everything — and does it perfectly. But the iPhone Ultra may not be that device. It’s a first‑generation product, and first‑generation products often come with compromises. As one commentator noted, the biggest question is whether the new form factor will be compelling enough to overcome these trade‑offs[reference:46].

What Users Are Saying

A poll conducted by PhoneArena asked users how they felt about Apple potentially locking real split‑screen multitasking to the $2,000 Ultra[reference:47]. The results were telling:

• 37.4% said they were on Android and had already enjoyed this feature for years[reference:48]
• 34.5% called $2,000 for multitasking a "joke"[reference:49]
• Only 20.7% were sold on the productivity boost[reference:50]

In other words, most users see the Ultra as an expensive attempt to catch up with what Android foldables already offer, rather than a true leap forward.

Is It a Revolution or More of the Same?

The answer depends on how you define “revolution.”

Why It Is Revolutionary

• First major form‑factor change for the iPhone since 2007. The Ultra represents a fundamental shift in how we interact with our devices[reference:51].
• Near‑invisible crease. If Apple delivers on this promise, it could eliminate the biggest complaint about foldables[reference:52].
• iPad‑sized display in your pocket. The 7.8‑inch inner screen opens up entirely new use cases for productivity, creativity, and entertainment[reference:53].
• Deep iOS 27 integration. The Ultra is expected to run a version of iOS 27 optimized for foldables, with features like split‑screen multitasking, multi‑window support, and cross‑app drag‑and‑drop[reference:54].

Why It Is Not Revolutionary

• Missing features. No telephoto camera, no Face ID — both are regressions from the Pro models[reference:55][reference:56].
• Extremely high price. At $2,500, the Ultra is out of reach for most consumers[reference:57].
• Limited supply. With only 7–8 million units expected in 2026, the Ultra will be a niche product, not a mainstream hit[reference:58].
• Catching up, not leading. Android foldables have had multitasking, split‑screen, and large‑screen optimization for years[reference:59].

If the iPhone Ultra succeeds, it will be because Apple has made a foldable that feels like an iPhone — not because it folds, but because it preserves the iOS experience users love while adding genuine utility. As one analyst put it: “If the iPhone Ultra goes mainstream, it will be because Apple makes a foldable that feels like the most natural iPhone upgrade in years”[reference:60].

But if it fails, it will be because Apple asked too much money for too many compromises — a device that fixes a problem nobody asked to solve.

Final Verdict

The iPhone Ultra is not a revolution in the way the original iPhone was. It’s an evolution — a bold, expensive, and risk‑filled step into a new category. For early adopters and foldable enthusiasts, it could be the device they’ve been waiting for. For everyone else, it may be a generation or two before the foldable iPhone becomes a compelling mainstream choice.

As one commenter on 9to5Mac summarized: “My biggest question is what the software will look like. Will it offer the full iPad OS experience you get with an iPad when unfolded? Or will it be iOS with a few additional tricks? If it’s the latter, then I’m not interested”[reference:61].

The answer to that question — and whether the iPhone Ultra is worth $2,500 — will only become clear when Apple finally takes the stage this September.

Elena Marchetti

Embedded Systems Engineer & Technical Writer
eBits Tech Platform
@ eBits.icu