Apple rumored to launch foldable iPhone Ultra this fall

Apple is rumored to unveil a foldable iPhone (potentially called the iPhone Ultra) this fall, featuring a reduced‑crease display.

If Apple follows through, the device could push foldable smartphones from niche gadgets to mainstream choices, reshaping competition in the global smartphone market and testing consumer appetite for premium pricing.

FastCompany said the foldable iPhone is set to drop this fall, citing a prototype with a significantly less visible display crease than earlier folding devices^[1]. AppleInsider said the launch is projected for 2026, suggesting the company may still be refining hardware or supply‑chain plans^[4]. The conflicting timelines highlight uncertainty around Apple’s development schedule.

The reduced‑crease claim stems from recent advances in polymer‑encapsulated OLED panels, which reportedly improve durability and hide the hinge line more effectively^[1]. "The device is set to drop this fall, and it will have a significantly less visible display crease than previous folding devices," the FastCompany editorial team said.

Digital Trends said the foldable iPhone could become the most expensive handset Apple has ever sold, with pricing that may exceed the cost of an M5 MacBook Pro^[2]. The outlet also said the model may launch in three storage tiers, giving buyers options ranging from base to high‑capacity configurations^[2]. "Apple's long‑rumored foldable iPhone is shaping up to be the most expensive device the company has ever put in someone's pocket," the Digital Trends staff writer said.

MSN’s tech reporter said a foldable iPhone could be released this fall, reinforcing the FastCompany timeline^[3]. "A foldable iPhone could be released this fall," the MSN reporter said.

Analysts said the potential launch is a test of whether consumers will accept higher prices for novel form factors. If Apple succeeds, it could accelerate rival manufacturers’ foldable roadmaps and shift the industry’s focus toward durability and seamless design rather than novelty alone. The device would also enter a market where Samsung and Huawei already sell foldables, but Apple’s brand power could expand the segment’s overall size.

What this means: A foldable iPhone, should it arrive as early as fall 2024, would mark a watershed moment for mobile hardware, signaling that the technology has moved beyond early‑adopter status. Even a 2026 debut would keep Apple in the competitive loop, forcing rivals to innovate further while giving consumers a premium choice that blends portability with a larger screen.