Apple’s first foldable iPhone Ultra to debut around Sept. 9, with a starting price of over $2,000

According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman in a post published on Aug. 23, Apple's (AAPL-US) first foldable iPhone, reportedly internally codenamed the iPhone Ultra, is expected to debut at an event around Sept. 9, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Its starting price is expected to be approximately $2,000.

Key Specifications of Apple's First Foldable iPhone Ultra

Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter compiled feedback from testers and revealed the device's main specifications:

External display: 5.5 inches

Internal display: Approximately 7.8 inches; when unfolded, it features a book-style widescreen design with an app layout similar to that of the iPad

Thickness when unfolded: Approximately 4.5 millimeters, making it one of the thinnest foldable phones in the industry

Rear cameras: A dual-camera system with a 48MP main camera and an ultrawide-angle camera; no telephoto camera

Biometrics: Touch ID, integrated into the side button, instead of Face ID

This display configuration is similar to that of the Samsung Z Fold 8, although the latter is equipped with a telephoto camera.

Analysis of the Trade-Offs of Touch ID Replacing Face ID and the Lack of a Telephoto Camera

Apple made two key trade-offs with this foldable iPhone. The first concerns biometrics: it uses Touch ID, integrated into the side button, instead of Face ID. Gurman said this compromise was made to keep the device approximately 4.5 millimeters thick when unfolded, providing a better carrying experience. At the same time, some users may not object to the traditional Touch ID method.

The second concerns the camera configuration: the device does not have a telephoto camera, featuring only a dual-camera system with a 48MP main camera and an ultrawide-angle camera. For a device with a starting price of more than $2,000, Gurman identified this omission as a potential issue that could affect sales, particularly because competing foldable flagship phones generally offer complete triple-camera systems.

FAQ

When is Apple's first foldable iPhone expected to be released, and what will its starting price be?

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to debut at an event around Sept. 9, 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Its starting price will be approximately $2,000, while higher-storage versions may exceed $2,500.

What are the display specifications and unfolded thickness of Apple's first foldable iPhone?

Based on Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter, the device will feature a 5.5-inch external display and an internal display measuring approximately 7.8 inches when unfolded. Its unfolded thickness will be approximately 4.5 millimeters. The internal display will use an app layout similar to that of the iPad and can also be used as a camera viewfinder.

Why does Apple's foldable iPhone use Touch ID instead of Face ID?

Gurman reported that Apple adopted Touch ID, integrated into the side button, to keep the device approximately 4.5 millimeters thick when unfolded. This is an intentional design trade-off that prioritizes portability. With Touch ID integrated into the side button, users would not need to change their usage habits, and some users may even prefer this traditional biometric authentication method.