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The announcement could be one of the biggest moments in Apple's iPhone history, but there is still some uncertainty around when customers will actually get the device. While some reports expect the foldable to go on sale with the new Pro iPhones, manufacturing challenges could push its retail release to October.

Apple has not confirmed the product or its launch date. The device's final name is also unknown, although the iPhone Ultra has emerged as one possible name.Apple is taking a different approach to foldables

Rather than simply making a larger version of an existing iPhone, Apple is reportedly designing the foldable as a phone that can turn into something closer to a small tablet.

The device is expected to fold like a book. A roughly 5.5-inch display would be available when it is closed, while opening it could reveal a 7.8-inch OLED panel. The unusual 4:3 aspect ratio would make the inner screen wider than the displays used on many competing foldables.

That extra space could also change how the iPhone behaves. Apple is reportedly preparing iOS 27 to handle different screen sizes and orientations more naturally, with references to folding states and hinge angles already appearing in the software.

The design could be remarkably slim as well. Leaks suggest the phone may be only around 4.5mm thick when completely open. Apple is reportedly using titanium and aluminium in the frame to keep the structure strong without making the device unnecessarily heavy.The crease could be Apple's biggest bet

Apple has had plenty of time to study foldable phones, and the display crease appears to be one problem the company particularly wants to solve. The iPhone Fold is rumoured to use ultra-thin glass and a specially developed display construction aimed at making the folding line difficult to notice. A liquid-metal hinge is also reportedly being considered to improve durability and help control the way the screen bends.

If these reports prove accurate, Apple could arrive late to the foldable market with a design aimed at fixing one of the technology's most visible shortcomings. But keeping the phone this thin appears to require some compromises.No telephoto camera, no Face ID?

The foldable is not expected to receive the full camera setup found on Apple's Pro iPhones. Instead, reports point to two 48-megapixel rear cameras — a main sensor and an ultra-wide camera. A dedicated telephoto lens may have been left out because of the limited internal space.

The front of the device could see an even bigger change. Face ID may not be possible because the TrueDepth hardware would take up too much room inside the slim chassis. Apple could therefore bring Touch ID back to an iPhone, with the fingerprint sensor reportedly integrated into the power button.

The phone could also use separate front-facing cameras for its two display configurations, while an under-display camera for the inner screen has been mentioned in some leaks.A20 chip and a $2,000-plus price tag

Performance is unlikely to be an issue. The foldable is expected to use Apple's A20 processor, reportedly based on TSMC's 2nm manufacturing technology, paired with 12GB of RAM. A dual-battery arrangement is also rumoured, with battery cells placed on both sides of the folding mechanism. Apple's next-generation C2 modem is expected to handle connectivity, while the phone could continue the company's move towards eSIM-only designs.

The biggest barrier for buyers, however, could be the price. Current reports suggest the iPhone Fold may start above $2,000, making it considerably more expensive than Apple's conventional iPhones and potentially the company's costliest iPhone ever. That premium could make Apple's first foldable a niche product rather than a mass-market iPhone. Still, if Apple manages to combine a tablet-sized display, a thinner body and a barely visible crease into one device, the company may be hoping that buyers see the years of waiting as part of the appeal.

The September 9 event should finally reveal how much of the speculation turns out to be true.- EndsPublished By: Ankita GargPublished On: Sep 1, 2026 16:52 IST