Apple’s September event is now just days away, and expectations are running high for the introduction of the iPhone Ultra, the company’s first foldable iPhone. A new report, based on an interview with a prominent Apple insider, has surfaced with fresh details about the device, including its displays, chip and modem choices, durability engineering, multitasking software, and possible launch schedule. The new information helps round out the picture of what may be one of the most significant iPhone releases in years.

Key facts at a glance

• The iPhone Ultra is expected to be unveiled at Apple’s September event next week.
• The foldable will reportedly feature a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch inner display.
• MagSafe will reportedly remain part of the iPhone Ultra design, contrary to earlier speculation.
• Apple is said to be using its latest Pro-class chip and newest modem in the foldable.
• The inner screen is described as nearly crease-free, helped by a liquid metal hinge.
• Apple’s durability target was to make the Ultra as robust as a standard iPhone.
• iOS 27 will enable iPad-style layouts, side-by-side apps, and drag-and-drop between apps.
• Launch timing is expected to align closely with the next Pro iPhone models, not months later.
• The starting price is expected to be above $2,000.

Those details point to a device that Apple is positioning at the top of its smartphone lineup.

A huge step for the iPhone lineup

Foldables have been part of Apple rumors for years. Rivals have already brought multiple generations of folding smartphones to market, but Apple has been slower to enter the category. According to the latest reporting, the company is preparing to make its first move with a device that uses the Ultra name, which could sit above the Pro and Pro Max tiers and become the company’s most expensive handset. That makes sense, because a foldable iPhone requires a more complex hinge, larger display assembly, and more advanced internal layout than a traditional flagship smartphone.

The reported screen sizes are notable. A 5.5-inch cover display would make the device compact enough to use with one hand when closed, although not as narrow as some rival foldables. The 7.8-inch inner display would offer a tablet-like canvas when opened. That size is similar to many folding phones from Samsung and Google, and it could give Apple a compelling alternative to both the iPad mini and the standard iPhone Pro lineup, depending on how users prioritize portability and screen space.

MagSafe survives

One of the most interesting pieces of new information is that MagSafe will be present on the iPhone Ultra. There had been questions about whether Apple would omit the magnetic wireless charging system because of the challenges of integrating it into a foldable chassis. A foldable body has to move and flex, and magnets, coils, and alignment components are harder to arrange when the case is split. However, the latest report says MagSafe is not going away. For current iPhone users with a drawer full of MagSafe chargers, stands, and car mounts, retaining the system removes a potential upgrade headache.

MagSafe is an important ecosystem feature as well. Apple has built MagSafe into accessories, battery packs, and the future Qi2 charging standard. If the Ultra had dropped MagSafe, it would have become an outlier within the iPhone family. Keeping it also suggests that accessory makers will have to consider new cases and mounts designed for a foldable that is thicker when closed and potentially heavier than other iPhones.

Display, hinge, and durability

Reports have previously described the iPhone Ultra as having a so-called crease-less display. The newest information clarifies that the crease is not entirely gone, but it is comparable to the newest Samsung foldables, and it may be even less noticeable because of a stronger hinge. Samsung’s latest Z Fold panels have improved significantly in recent years, but a visible crease remains. If Apple can reduce that crease further, the experience of using the inner display for reading, watching video, and working with documents could feel more like a traditional tablet.

The hinge is said to use liquid metal, a material that can be shaped with a crystalline structure that offers high strength and elasticity. Liquid metal has been used in Apple products for smaller components, such as SIM ejector pins, but not often for major structural parts. A liquid metal hinge could deliver a stiffer mechanism with less play, which is crucial for a foldable. If the hinge is more durable, the panel can receive better support at the bend point, reducing stress and helping to minimize the crease over time.

Durability has been a major concern for every foldable phone that has come before, and Apple is reportedly spending significant time on this challenge. The goal, according to the insider, was to make the foldable iPhone as durable as or at least close to any other iPhone. Achieving that goal is not easy, because the folding screen and hinge introduce moving parts and flexible materials. But Apple’s long history of tight industrial design and materials engineering could help it set a new standard for the category.

Performance and connectivity

Apple’s foldable will reportedly be powered by the latest Apple Pro chip and newest Apple modem. That ensures the iPhone Ultra is not just an experiment in form factor; it is expected to be a top-tier performance device. The Pro chip naming aligns with Apple’s current strategy of using the strongest silicon in its premium iPhones. The newest modem would likely improve 5G speeds and call reliability. If Apple continues to build its own modem components, the Ultra could become a testbed for future wireless improvements in the lineup.

There is also reason to expect the iPhone Ultra to offer strong battery life. A large foldable body can house a bigger battery than a standard phone, although a 7.8-inch display will also draw more power when open. Apple typically balances efficiency and battery capacity across its devices, and the Ultra will likely benefit from both chip efficiency and the larger internal volume.

iOS 27 and multitasking changes

One of the most important features for a foldable phone is software. A large internal display means nothing if the operating system does not take advantage of it. According to the new reporting, iOS 27 will introduce iPad-like app layouts and side-by-side multitasking to the iPhone Ultra. This could include resizable app windows, split-view apps, and an easier way to switch between multiple active tasks. In addition, drag-and-drop will work across multiple apps, enabling users to move photos, text, and files from one app to another without additional steps.

Bringing iPad software concepts to an iPhone is a major shift. The current iPhone interface is essentially designed around one app at a time, with quick switching rather than simultaneous display. If iOS 27 delivers true multitasking on the Ultra, the phone could serve as a productivity device that replaces both an iPhone and an iPad for many people. It may also push developers to update their apps and offer adaptive layouts that work at three sizes: compact, standard, and expanded.

There are still questions about how multitasking will work on the cover display. If the cover is 5.5 inches, users will likely use standard iPhone-style interfaces while folded. When opened, the software can shift into multitasking mode, similar to how Samsung’s One UI changes between cover and inner displays. Apple’s approach will be judged on how smoothly those transitions work and whether apps resume properly after a fold or unfold.

Launch timing and pricing

The new report is encouraging for anyone worried about delays. It suggests the iPhone Ultra will launch at the same time as the new Pro models, or very close to it. That would mean a dual launch, with the foldable arriving either on the same day as the flagship phones or within a few weeks. The report pushes back against earlier speculation that supply chain problems could delay the Ultra until late October or November. If Apple has overcome foldable panel yield issues, the device could be available to customers in September.

Pricing remains another key question. The latest guidance points to a starting price of at least $2,000, or possibly higher. That would make the Ultra the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold. It would also place the device in direct competition with premium foldable phones from Samsung and other makers, most of which are already priced around $1,800 or higher. A more expensive Apple foldable may still be attractive to loyal customers, especially if the company offers a larger storage option that raises the price even further.

Impact on Apple’s ecosystem

The iPhone Ultra is likely to strengthen Apple’s push into larger-screen mobile computing and could blur the line between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With Pro hardware, iPad-like multitasking, and a nearly 8-inch screen, the Ultra may change how people think about the smartphone. It also gives Apple a response to the growing foldable trend in Android devices. Apple has often been accused of waiting for technology to mature before entering new categories. If the Ultra can deliver a reliable, durable foldable experience, it could help establish foldables as a mainstream product category in the same way Apple did for smartwatches and wireless earbuds.

At the same time, there is a risk. A starting price above $2,000 could limit the audience, and first-generation Apple products sometimes include compromises. Repair costs for a folding display and hinge might be high, and it remains to be seen how well the device withstands long-term use. The next week will bring answers, but these latest details suggest that Apple is confident enough to place the Ultra at the center of its September announcement.

Source:9to5Mac News