As Apple prepares for its September 9 event, the rumor mill centers on a short, wide foldable iPhone Ultra with a 5.5-inch outer display and 7.8-inch inner screen.
Case Renders Hint at Foldable Design and Missing Base Model
With Apple’s annual September event less than a week away, third-party accessory makers have released case renders for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Ultra devices according to recent reporting. While these renders are not official photos, they offer a clear look at expected sizes and shapes, particularly for the foldable iPhone Ultra.
The accessory leaks show the Ultra as a short, wide foldable equipped with a dual-camera rear setup. Case colors for the Pro and Pro Max models include deep burgundy, light gray, black, and misty blue. Notably absent from these accessory leaks is any render of a base-model iPhone 18. Industry expectations point toward Apple delaying the standard base model until next spring, allowing the Pro and Ultra devices to lead the company’s autumn rollout.
Pricing Projections for the iPhone Ultra
Pricing for the foldable device remains a central point of speculation, especially since the Ultra lacks a prior-generation model for direct comparison. Market research firm International Data Corporation pegged the phone’s price at around $2,550, while retail listings from Vodafone Australia suggest a figure near $2,600 USD after currency conversion. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman stated in an interview that he expects the device to retail for at least $2,000, putting the starting price firmly in the two-thousand-dollar tier.
Gurman Details Display Specs and Hinge Design
Alongside price predictions, Gurman outlined core hardware specifications for the foldable device. The phone is expected to feature a 5.5-inch outer display paired with a 7.8-inch inner display. The design will also include MagSafe support, addressing a feature that remained uncertain prior to the interview.
On construction details, Gurman compared the hinge mechanism to those found on recent Samsung foldables. This design choice indicates that the crease or hinge will not be completely invisible, though it will be close to it. Despite earlier tech-world concerns regarding manufacturing costs and potential release delays, Gurman indicated that the device won’t suffer a major delay and should launch within weeks of the September 9 event alongside the Pro and Pro Max line.
Leadership Shifts and Concurrent Apple Ecosystem Updates
The upcoming product showcase arrives during a notable transition period for Apple leadership. John Ternus has stepped into his first week on the job as Apple CEO, with questions remaining around Tim Cook’s ongoing involvement according to tech podcasts discussing the executive shift. Beyond the hardware leaks, the broader ecosystem is seeing adjustments, including a recent Apple TV subscription price hike occurring for the second time in as many years, alongside health-tracking updates anticipated for the Apple Watch Series 12.
