The upcoming iPhone Ultra represents Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market, and early rumors have painted a clear picture of what to expect. From its design and displays to the chipset and biometric authentication, the device promises to blend the best of an iPhone and an iPad into a single, premium package. Here are six key features that define the iPhone Ultra.
Design: A Book-Style Fold with Premium Materials
The iPhone Ultra will feature a book-style folding mechanism, meaning it opens like a book rather than a clamshell. When unfolded, the device is wider than it is tall, offering a landscape-oriented inner display that rivals the iPad mini in dimensions. The outer display, measuring between 5.3 and 5.5 inches, has a shorter and wider aspect ratio compared to standard iPhones. This unique form factor aims to provide a more natural reading and multitasking experience.
Apple has opted for a titanium border, similar to the iPhone Air, giving the Ultra a lightweight yet durable feel. The device is expected to be exceptionally thin when unfolded, and even when folded, it will be thinner than two iPhone Airs stacked together. A notable design breakthrough is the crease-free inner display. While many foldable devices on the market suffer from a visible crease where the screen bends, Apple's engineering reportedly eliminates this flaw entirely.
Color options are said to be limited to black and white, aligning with Apple's usual minimalist approach for flagship devices. This focus on simplicity and refinement echoes the design philosophy seen in the iPhone Air and the Pro lineup.
Displays: Unique Sizes and Orientations
The iPhone Ultra will feature two displays: an outer screen and a larger inner screen. The outer display is rumored to be between 5.3 and 5.5 inches, similar in size to the old iPhone Mini series but with a wider aspect ratio, making it suitable for one-handed use. The inner display, revealed when the device is unfolded, will measure between 7.6 and 7.8 inches—almost exactly the size of an iPad Mini.
This dual-display setup means users can quickly check notifications or reply to messages on the outer screen without having to open the device. When unfolded, the larger screen offers an immersive experience for reading, watching videos, or working with multiple apps side by side. Apple's commitment to high-quality displays means both panels will likely feature ProMotion technology with a 120Hz refresh rate, though official specifications are yet to be confirmed.
Cameras: Two Rear Lenses and Two Front-Facing Cameras
For photography, the iPhone Ultra will be equipped with two rear cameras: a 48-megapixel Main sensor and a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide sensor. Unlike the Pro models, there is no Telephoto lens, meaning users will lose optical zoom capabilities. However, the high-resolution sensors enable lossless crop zoom through software processing, which may partially compensate for the missing telephoto lens.
Because the device has two displays, it will also feature two front-facing cameras—one for each screen. Both are expected to use an 18-megapixel sensor with Center Stage functionality, similar to the camera introduced with the iPhone 17. The cameras will likely be housed in a hole-punch cutout, allowing for a bezel-less design on both the outer and inner displays.
Software: iOS 27 with Exclusive Multitasking Features
The iPhone Ultra will run iOS 27, which is expected to include software features exclusive to the foldable form factor. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, two major upgrades are on the way: side-by-side apps for true multitasking and iPad-like app layouts. Unlike the iPad, however, the iPhone Ultra will not run iPadOS or support multiple floating windows. Instead, iOS 27 will adopt a simplified version of iPad's split-view and slide-over capabilities, tailored for the larger inner screen.
This software integration is crucial for leveraging the Ultra's larger display. Users will be able to run two apps simultaneously, such as a browser and a note-taking app, without switching between full-screen modes. The iPad-inspired layouts will also allow apps to take advantage of the extra real estate, displaying more content without requiring additional navigation.
Apple Silicon: A20 Pro Chip and C2 Cellular Modem
At the heart of the iPhone Ultra will be the A20 Pro chip, fabricated using a 2-nanometer process. This new architecture is expected to deliver a significant performance leap over the A19 Pro, thanks to improved transistor density and efficiency. The chip will be manufactured using Wafer-level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology, which combines multiple dies into a single package for better heat dissipation and power management.
The A20 Pro will be paired with 12GB of RAM, matching the A19 Pro, but it will use faster LPDDR5 memory to boost overall performance. Additionally, the iPhone Ultra will be among the first devices to feature Apple's second-generation in-house cellular modem, the C2. This modem replaces Qualcomm's 5G chips and offers several advantages, including improved power efficiency, faster data speeds, and better integration with Apple's ecosystem.
Touch ID: The Return of Fingerprint Authentication
A surprising departure for a high-end model is the omission of Face ID. Instead, the iPhone Ultra will feature Touch ID integrated into the power button, similar to the iPad Air and iPad mini. The reason for this change is the device's thinness: Apple could not fit the necessary Face ID components, including the TrueDepth camera system, into two separate modules—one for each display. By using Touch ID, Apple maintains secure authentication without compromising the slim profile.
This decision may divide users, as Face ID has been a staple of premium iPhones since the iPhone X. However, Touch ID offers its own advantages, such as working in any orientation and being unaffected by masks or sunglasses. Future iterations of the iPhone Ultra may reintroduce Face ID once component miniaturization allows for dual modules.
Pricing and Market Position
The iPhone Ultra is expected to start at around $1,999 for a 256GB model, making it the most expensive iPhone ever. Some analysts predict a slightly lower starting price, while others suggest it could exceed $2,000. By combining the functionality of an iPhone and an iPad into a single device, Apple aims to justify the premium pricing. The device targets power users who want the portability of a phone and the screen real estate of a tablet without carrying two devices.
The foldable market has seen rapid growth, with competitors like Samsung, Huawei, and Google offering their own foldable devices. Apple's entry is expected to set new standards for build quality, display technology, and software integration. The iPhone Ultra's success will depend on how well it balances innovation with practicality, and whether consumers are willing to pay a premium for the foldable form factor.
As the launch date approaches, more details will emerge about the iPhone Ultra's features, pricing, and availability. For now, these six features provide a comprehensive overview of what Apple's first foldable iPhone will offer.
Source: 9to5Mac News