A folding iPhone that Apple is preparing for release has received positive early reviews from users. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in his “Power On” newsletter that people who tried the product in advance, internally known as the “iPhone Ultra,” reacted favorably.
A foldable phone is a smartphone whose screen opens and closes like a book. Apple’s device is structured so that when folded it becomes a regular phone with a 5.5-inch outer display, and when unfolded it reveals an approximately 7.8-inch inner screen.
◆ Hinge and portability get passing marks… the display feels like an iPad
Test users highlighted two strengths above all else: its pocket-friendly size and the quality of the hinge, designed to withstand tens of thousands of folds and unfolds. Durability at the folding point has been one of the main reasons consumers have hesitated to buy foldable phones.
The unfolded display also earned praise for usability. The inner screen is wider than it is tall, allowing app layouts to spread out in a manner similar to an iPad. Users said it would be more useful than a standard iPhone for document work, video viewing, and gaming.
The camera was seen as a mixed success. Users said the experience of taking photos with the large unfolded screen serving as a viewfinder was excellent, but the rear camera system includes only a 48-megapixel main lens and an ultrawide lens. A telephoto lens for zooming in on distant subjects is missing, which is viewed as a drawback for a device expected to cost in the $2,000 range.
Face recognition has also been excluded. The decision is said to have been made to preserve a thickness of just 4.5 mm when unfolded by removing related components. Fingerprint recognition embedded in the side button, or Touch ID, will handle unlocking instead.
◆ Expected launch around September 9… set for a direct showdown with Samsung
Gurman said Apple is expected to unveil the foldable iPhone at an event around September 9, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The starting price is expected to be $2,000, and models with larger storage capacity could exceed $2,500.
Apple’s entry is also expected to change the competitive landscape of the foldable market. Samsung Electronics, with its Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series, has effectively pioneered and led the foldable segment. Apple’s participation is expected to help push foldable phones beyond niche appeal and into the mainstream.
It also presents an opportunity for the domestic parts industry in South Korea. A significant portion of the components for the foldable display and hinge are believed to be supplied by Korean companies, raising expectations that growing sales of Apple’s foldable device could benefit the local supply chain.
