Apple Preparing 'Most Significant Overhaul in the iPhone's History' - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Preparing 'Most Significant Overhaul in the iPhone's History'

Apple reportedly plans to unveil its first foldable iPhone in September this year — it may be named "iPhone Ultra" — and expectations are high.

Apple Foldable Thumb
In his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the foldable iPhone will be "the most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history."

"iPhone 4, iPhone 6 and iPhone X were clearly a big deal, but this is a whole new design," he said.

Like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, the foldable iPhone will reportedly open up like a book, providing users with a large inner screen for watching videos, playing games, and multitasking. iOS 27 is expected to be optimized for the foldable iPhone, allowing for apps to be open side-by-side and for other iPad-like multitasking functionality.

Late last year, a report said the foldable iPhone will be equipped with a 7.7-inch inner display, and a 5.3-inch outer display. It was initially rumored that the device would have a virtually "crease-free" inner display, but it was later reported that Apple is using technology that "reduces the crease without eliminating it entirely."

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the foldable iPhone to have two rear cameras, one front camera, and a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID.

In the U.S., it has been estimated that the foldable iPhone may start at or above $1,999.

Apple is expected to unveil the foldable iPhone in September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. A standard iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air will reportedly follow around March next year.

Related Roundup: iPhone Fold

Popular Stories

Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone 'Ultra' Rumored to Launch in Just Two Colors

Monday May 11, 2026 7:39 am PDT by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, expected to be called the "iPhone Ultra," is shaping up to launch with a noticeably restrained selection of colors, according to multiple leakers, with sources pointing to as few as two options and a deliberate avoidance of bold or vibrant finishes for the device. In February, the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital" shared a broader account of the foldable...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Few Smartphone Owners Care About Foldables or AI, Survey Suggests

Wednesday May 13, 2026 7:04 am PDT by
A new survey suggests most U.S. smartphone owners are not motivated to upgrade by foldable phone designs or AI features, a potential challenge for Apple as it prepares to launch both the rumored "iPhone Ultra" and an expanded suite of Apple Intelligence features this fall. The survey, commissioned by CNET and conducted by YouGov across 2,407 U.S. smartphone owners between April 29 and May 1, ...
Apple Wi Fi Chip Feature Navy

Apple's iPhone 18 Modem Switch Comes With a Quiet Privacy Benefit

Thursday May 14, 2026 4:23 pm PDT by
Rumors suggest Apple plans to expand Apple-designed modems to the entire iPhone 18 lineup, ending support for Qualcomm modems. The transition will bring speed and efficiency improvements, along with a little-known privacy benefit. In iOS 26.3, Apple added a Limit Precise Location setting that cuts down on the amount of location data that's available to mobile networks, improving user...