iPhone Ultra Leaks: Apple is preparing to enter a smartphone category that Samsung has spent years developing. The company’s first foldable iPhone, widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, could debut at Apple’s September 9 event and immediately face the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. Rather than make its foldable stand out through its design, iOS experience, and tight integration with the wider Apple ecosystem.
Recent reports suggest the iPhone Ultra could feature a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner screen, making it closer to a small tablet when unfolded. The device is also expected to use Touch ID instead of Face ID and could omit a dedicated telephoto camera. These compromises could become important because the foldable is expected to carry a price of more than $2,000.
iPhone Ultra vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8
The iPhone Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 8 could take different approaches to the same basic idea: turning a smartphone into a larger device when needed.
Samsung already has an established foldable lineup, while Apple is entering the category for the first time. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 offers a larger screen for multitasking, Samsung’s foldable software features, and S Pen support, while Apple’s device is expected to focus on iOS optimization and its ecosystem.
The iPhone Ultra is also expected to use a relatively compact 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.8-inch internal display. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 6.3-inch cover display and a 7.9-inch main display, according to Samsung’s published specifications.
iPhone Ultra Launch Date in the US (Expected)
The iPhone Ultra is expected to launch in the US on September 9, 2026, alongside Apple’s new iPhone lineup.
Apple has officially scheduled its major September event for September 9. The company is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while multiple reports point to the foldable iPhone making its debut at the same event.
The foldable’s official name has not yet been confirmed by Apple. iPhone Ultra remains the widely reported name for the device.
iPhone Ultra Launch Time in the US (Expected)
Apple’s September 9 event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time at Apple Park’s Steve Jobs Theater.
- California: 10:00 a.m. PT
- New York: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Chicago: 12:00 p.m. CT
- Denver: 11:00 a.m. MT
Apple’s event announcement is official, but the company has not confirmed which products will appear on stage. The iPhone Ultra remains an expected product based on recent reports.
iPhone Ultra Pre-Order Date in the US (Expected)
The iPhone Ultra pre-order date is expected to be September 12, 2026.
A report citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously indicated that Apple could open pre-orders for the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro models on September 12. The timing would put pre-orders a few days after the September 9 announcement.
Apple has not yet published an official iPhone Ultra pre-order schedule, so September 12 should be treated as an expected date.
iPhone Ultra Pre-Order Time in the US (Expected)
The exact US pre-order time has not been officially confirmed. Reports have pointed to Apple potentially opening pre-orders at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 12. If that schedule is correct, the expected timings would be
- California: 12:00 a.m. PT
- New York: 3:00 a.m. ET
- Chicago: 2:00 a.m. CT
- Denver: 1:00 a.m. MT
Apple could still change the timing, particularly because the iPhone Ultra would be a new product category for the company.
iPhone Ultra Design & Display (Expected)
The display could be the biggest reason to buy Apple’s foldable.
The iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch foldable inner display. When opened, the larger panel could provide considerably more space for browsing, video, gaming, and multitasking than a conventional iPhone.
Apple is also reportedly focusing heavily on the hinge and crease. Early reports have described the foldable as having a less noticeable crease, while the hinge itself has reportedly impressed early testers.
iPhone Ultra Face ID (Expected)
Face ID is one feature the iPhone Ultra may leave behind.
Reports indicate that Apple could use Touch ID instead of Face ID because of the constraints involved in making the foldable extremely thin. The fingerprint sensor could reportedly sit within the power button.
That would represent a major change for Apple’s flagship smartphone lineup, but Touch ID could also work well on a foldable because users would be able to unlock the device without relying on a front-facing Face ID system.
iPhone Ultra Apple Pencil Support (Expected)
The iPhone Ultra may not launch with Apple Pencil support despite its large internal display.
Reports indicate that Apple explored a custom stylus for the foldable but ultimately decided not to release it with the first-generation device. The stylus could have offered a more productivity-focused experience on the 7.8-inch display, but Apple reportedly faced concerns around the folding screen and overall design.
This could become one of the clearest differences between Apple’s foldable and Samsung’s approach.
Samsung has already built stylus support into its larger foldable strategy. Apple, meanwhile, appears to be positioning the iPhone Ultra more as a premium smartphone with a larger screen rather than a direct iPad replacement.
iPhone Ultra MagSafe (Expected)
MagSafe could remain part of Apple’s foldable strategy.
Recent reports suggest the iPhone Ultra is expected to support MagSafe despite the phone’s thin construction. That would allow Apple to keep the foldable compatible with its existing magnetic charging and accessory ecosystem.
MagSafe support could also help Apple make the transition from a conventional iPhone to a foldable feel less disruptive for existing users. However, Apple has not confirmed the charging system or accessory compatibility.
iPhone Ultra vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8: Which Is Better?
Samsung could have the advantage in productivity and maturity. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 already has an established foldable design, multitasking tools, and support for Samsung’s broader Galaxy ecosystem. Its hardware also gives users a more familiar foldable experience.
Apple could have the advantage in ecosystem integration and simplicity. The company controls both the hardware and iOS, allowing it to build the software around the foldable screen rather than adapting an existing phone interface.
The iPhone Ultra could also attract buyers who already use several Apple products and want their foldable to fit naturally into that ecosystem.
The camera could be one area where Samsung has the upper hand. Reports suggest Apple’s foldable could lack a dedicated telephoto camera, which would be a notable compromise for a phone expected to cost more than $2,000.
iPhone Ultra Launch: What to Expect?
Apple’s September 9 event could become one of the company’s most important launches in years. The iPhone Ultra would introduce an entirely new iPhone form factor while giving Apple its first direct opportunity to compete with Samsung in the premium foldable market.
The expected 7.8-inch inner display, 5.5-inch outer screen, Touch ID, MagSafe support, and thin foldable design could give the phone a distinct identity. At the same time, the lack of Face ID, possible absence of a telephoto camera, and expected price above $2,000 could make the device a difficult sell for some buyers.
The biggest question is therefore not whether Apple can make a foldable phone. It is whether Apple can convince iPhone users that its first foldable is worth paying a luxury-level price for.
