Apple is about to do something it has never done before: sell a phone that folds in half, and charge a small fortune for it. According to a wave of supply chain reports, Apple is preparing five new iPhones for its 2026 cycle, and the headliner is the iPhone Ultra, the company’s first ever foldable, expected to cost around 2,500 dollars. It would arrive this fall alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while the cheaper models slip into early 2027.
Why does this matter so much? Because Apple almost never rushes into new form factors. It let Samsung, Google, and half a dozen others spend years fixing creases, hinges, and cracked screens. Now Apple is finally stepping in, and it is doing it at the top of the market with a price that makes even a Pro Max look affordable. If you own an iPhone and have ever wondered when Apple would join the foldable era, the answer is finally here, and it is going to be expensive.
The quick version
- Apple is reportedly planning five new iPhones for the 2026 cycle
- The iPhone Ultra is Apple’s first foldable, expected to cost around 2,500 dollars
- It launches this fall with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
- The cheaper iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are expected in spring 2027
- Apple has reportedly raised production to about 10 million foldable units
Table of Contents
The five iPhones Apple is reportedly planning
For years Apple released four iPhones each September like clockwork. That pattern is breaking. Reports from Bloomberg and others say Apple is splitting its 2026 lineup into two waves, and the total comes to five distinct models.
| iPhone model | Expected launch |
|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | Fall 2026 |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | Fall 2026 |
| iPhone Ultra (foldable) | Fall 2026 |
| iPhone 18 | Spring 2027 |
| iPhone 18e | Spring 2027 |
The logic is simple. Apple wants its most expensive, most exciting phones to launch together in the fall spotlight, then keep the buzz going into 2027 with the affordable models. It also gives the foldable room to breathe instead of getting lost next to five other phones on launch day.
Meet the iPhone Ultra, Apple’s first foldable
The iPhone Ultra is the phone everyone is really talking about. Leaks point to a book style design, the same basic idea as the Galaxy Z Fold, where the phone opens like a small book into a tablet sized screen. Here is what the rumors currently suggest.
| Feature | iPhone Ultra (rumored) |
|---|---|
| Design | Book style foldable |
| Inner display | Around 7.8 inch |
| Chip | A20 Pro |
| Rear cameras | Dual 48MP |
| Front cameras | Dual 18MP |
| Security | Touch ID, not Face ID |
| Thickness (unfolded) | Around 4.7mm |
| Starting price | Around 2,000 to 2,500 dollars |
Two details stand out. First, Apple is reportedly returning to Touch ID for this model, because a folding screen leaves no clean place for the Face ID sensors. Second, Apple is said to be using special crease reducing glass and a refined hinge to fight the visible fold line that has haunted every foldable so far. If Apple pulls that off, an almost invisible crease could become its biggest selling point over Samsung.
Why the iPhone Ultra costs so much
A price near 2,500 dollars sounds wild, and honestly, it is. But there are real reasons behind it. Foldable screens, dual battery layouts, and complex hinges are expensive to build. On top of that, the entire industry is fighting a memory shortage that is pushing prices up across every brand, an effect some have nicknamed RAMageddon.
Apple also seems confident there is demand. Reports say the company raised its production target for the foldable to around 10 million units, up from an earlier estimate of 7 to 8 million. That is a bold bet for a first generation product at this price, and it suggests Apple believes plenty of loyal customers will pay premium money to own the first folding iPhone.
What about the iPhone 18 Pro?
The foldable may be stealing headlines, but the iPhone 18 Pro is still a big deal for most buyers. Leaks point to a new A20 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island for more usable screen, and a serious camera boost with a variable aperture main lens that lets you control how much of the background stays in focus. There is even talk of a bold new color called Dark Cherry, a deep wine red that could become this year’s must have look.
In other words, if 2,500 dollars is out of the question, the iPhone 18 Pro is where the real upgrades land for normal spending. It keeps the familiar shape while quietly improving the parts people use every day.
A new era for Apple in more ways than one
There is a bigger story hiding behind these phones. This fall is also expected to bring a leadership change, with John Ternus reportedly set to take over as chief executive from Tim Cook. That would make the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro launch the first major event under new leadership, which is exactly why many believe Apple is pushing hard to keep everything on schedule. A first foldable and a new boss in the same season is a lot of pressure, and Apple clearly wants a clean, confident debut.
Should you wait for the iPhone Ultra?
Here is the honest take. If you love being first and money is not the issue, the iPhone Ultra will be the most exciting iPhone in years. But first generation foldables always come with growing pains, and 2,500 dollars is a serious amount to spend on a version one product.
For most people, the smarter move is the iPhone 18 Pro, or even a great deal on a current model. If you are weighing your options, our iPhone vs Android guide breaks down which ecosystem fits you best, and if the prices scare you, check our picks for the cheapest iPhone and our take on refurbished vs new phones. It is also worth understanding the wider trend behind these numbers in our Apple price increase coverage.
iPhone Ultra FAQ
- When is the iPhone Ultra release date?
- The iPhone Ultra is expected to launch this fall, around September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- How much will the iPhone Ultra cost?
- Analysts expect a starting price between 2,000 and 2,500 dollars, which would make it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold.
- Is the iPhone Ultra the same as the iPhone Fold?
- Yes. Apple’s first foldable has been referred to as both the iPhone Fold and the iPhone Ultra in leaks, with iPhone Ultra now the more widely reported name.
- Does the iPhone Ultra use Face ID?
- Reports say no. Because the folding screen leaves no room for Face ID sensors, Apple is expected to bring back Touch ID for this model.
- How many new iPhones is Apple releasing in 2026?
- Apple is reportedly planning five: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra this fall, followed by the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027.
Final thoughts
The iPhone Ultra is Apple’s boldest phone in a decade, a folding, tablet sized iPhone that finally answers years of rumors. It will be expensive, it will sell out anyway, and it will change how people think about what an iPhone can be. Whether it is worth 2,500 dollars is a personal call, but the arrival itself is historic. For official details once they are announced, keep an eye on Apple’s newsroom, and trusted trackers like 9to5Mac and Forbes have been following every leak. One thing is certain: this September is going to be Apple’s most interesting in a very long time.
Prices, specs, and names above are based on leaks and reports, and may change at the official launch.
