Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone could introduce both a new name and a new pricing tier for the company’s smartphone lineup.
According to Mark Gurman, Apple’s upcoming foldable device is expected to cross the $2,000 price mark in the United States, making it the most expensive iPhone ever released. At the same time, several reports suggest the device could debut under a new name: the iPhone Ultra.
If accurate, the foldable model would sit above Apple’s current Pro lineup as a new ultra-premium tier.
Apple’s foldable iPhone could cross the $2,000 threshold
In his latest report, Mark Gurman says Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to exceed $2,000, though it remains unclear whether that refers to the starting price or higher-end storage configurations.
For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max currently reaches $1,999 in the United States when configured with the maximum 2TB of storage.
If Apple follows similar pricing tiers with the foldable model, the top configuration could climb even higher. A fully specced version could potentially approach $2,799, based on current iPhone storage price jumps.
That would make the foldable model Apple’s most expensive smartphone to date.
Why Apple may brand the foldable as iPhone Ultra
The foldable device is widely rumored to launch under the iPhone Ultra name rather than joining the existing Pro lineup.
Apple has already used the Ultra branding across several products to signal its highest-end offerings, including:
- Apple Watch Ultra
- CarPlay Ultra
- Apple silicon chips such as the M3 Ultra
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Using the Ultra name for a foldable iPhone would clearly position it as a new flagship category, rather than simply another Pro model.
Expected design and display features
Reports suggest Apple’s foldable iPhone will adopt a book-style design, similar to other foldable smartphones currently on the market.
Rumored specifications include:
- 7.7-inch inner display when unfolded
- 5.3-inch outer display for standard smartphone use
- Dual rear cameras
- A single front-facing camera
- A Touch ID power button instead of Face ID
Apple is also said to be working on minimizing the crease in the foldable display. Early rumors suggested a crease-free panel, though newer reports indicate Apple may instead use technology that reduces the crease without eliminating it entirely.
Where the iPhone Ultra would fit in Apple’s lineup
If Apple launches the device as the iPhone Ultra, it would likely sit above models such as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Rather than replacing existing iPhones, the foldable is expected to act as a halo device, aimed at early adopters and users willing to pay for Apple’s latest hardware innovations.
With a potential September debut rumored alongside the next generation of iPhones, Apple’s first foldable device could mark one of the biggest shifts in the company’s smartphone strategy in years.
