Why the iPhone Fold Might Never Exist and iPhone Ultra Could Take Its Place

Rumors about Apple’s alleged first foldable phone continue to circulate, with fresh details emerging practically weekly. One thing that has a lot of people talking right now is the name: allegedly, Apple has decided to use the iPhone Ultra label rather than simply calling it the iPhone Fold, which has been on everyone’s lips for months.

A Weibo post from Digital Chat Station a few days ago has left some enthusiasts wondering. The source is well-known for accurately predicting Apple supply chain actions and is followed by millions of people because they claim to have inside information from manufacturing professionals. Meanwhile, other Chinese companies who make their own foldables are considering using the Ultra name to compete on the same criteria as Apple, notably screen size, hardware, and price. Apple is keeping quiet as usual, but the way they’ve handled such situations in the past, executing a last-minute branding change, is nothing new.

On a related note, Ultra is already a premium identifier across various Apple goods, including the Apple Watch Ultra, the Mac Studio with its top-of-the-line M-series processors, and even CarPlay Ultra. Slapping the name on the foldable does a few things: it elevates it above the ordinary Pro models and avoids the copying-your-rivals issue, as several competitors already use the Fold branding. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated earlier this year that Apple intended to employ Ultra for high-end things, which matches this current speculation.

Its launch is reportedly still on track for September, alongside the new iPhone 18 series. Production volume is expected to be six to eight million units in the first wave, while some reports say that an issue could delay the launch back to 2027, which appears improbable so far. Design concepts and dummy units from several accessory manufacturers give us a good sense of how the phone will look. It unfolds like a book to reveal a nearly square 7.8-inch inside panel, as well as a smaller screen on the outside for fast chores. Then there are two cameras on the back and one on the front, which will work whether the phone is open or closed. The design of the phone in early samples differs from the standard shape, and it is unclear whether magnetic charging will be used.

Rumors suggest that it will be priced between $2k and $2.5k, which is significantly pricier than what Samsung, Google, and Motorola are offering. However, Apple frequently charges a premium for the software integration and build quality that they are recognized for.
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