The iPhone Ultra is going to be the first foldable from Apple, and it is very likely to be unveiled sometime in September along with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The device looks very impressive in all the leaks that have surfaced about it to date.
Mark Gurman reports in his latest newsletter that he recently spoke with some users (most likely those who are closely associated with Apple) who got the chance to try out Apple's first foldable, and the following are the three things that they reportedly liked the most about it. I, personally, believe these three factors could play an important role in making the iPhone Ultra a successful device.
It fits in the pocket
People who have used the iPhone Ultra reportedly mention that they really like how it perfectly fits in the pocket. In the recently surfaced dummy units that were shared by reliable tipster Sonny Dickson, the foldable is reported to have a 7.8-inch screen when unfolded.
First look at the iPhone Fold dummy unit. It doesn't look like Apple will offer multiple colors, with white currently appearing to be the only option. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/olMzm6t6Ts
When folded, the screen size is roughly 5.5 inches. These dimensions are very similar to those of the recently released Galaxy Z Fold 8, and in my opinion, it's a perfect size. I think this form factor makes the upcoming phone very pocket‑friendly and gives you the feel of carrying a normal slab phone in your pocket, not a foldable.
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Are you excited for the iPhone Ultra?
Incredible durability of the hinge
Early testers were also impressed by the durability of Apple's foldable. The company is reported to use an innovative liquid metal hinge in its upcoming device, according to a reputable tipster, Fixed Focus Digital. For reference, liquid metal is an amorphous metal alloy that is considered to have a comparatively better strength-to-weight ratio than normal metals.
It also doesn't easily go into the process of corrosion and is very resistant to wear. If Apple actually uses the liquid metal, then it wouldn't be the first time the company has actually used it. It's actually used in the SIM ejector tool that you get inside the box of your iPhone.
But it would be the first time this material would play such a major role in a device. A foldable is usually folded and unfolded thousands of times over its entire lifespan, which ultimately puts a lot of stress on the hinge. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 hinge is reported to have a life cycle of 200,000, so I'm really interested in seeing whether the liquid metal that is reported to be used in the Apple foldable can beat that number.
This rumor convinced me that Apple should cancel the iPhone 18 Pro Max right away
iPad-like app layout
The new iPad-like app layout that uses the reported 7.8-inch internal screen is another thing early testers have liked about the iPhone Ultra. It was recently reported that Apple is working on completely revamping the iOS apps to work for its upcoming foldable phone. They are being redesigned to make sure that their layouts look very similar to iPad apps.
What's even more exciting is that the multitasking experience is reported to be much simpler, unlike on an iPad. Users will reportedly be able to run multiple apps side by side on the internal display. The developers of the iOS apps would also be given the option to redesign their products to better function on the foldable iPhone.
iPhone Ultra battery
While the above-mentioned things were what early testers found interesting in the iPhone Ultra, I am really looking forward to its battery numbers. Early rumors suggested that it would have the biggest battery among all iPhones, beating the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which currently tops the list with its 5088 mAh cell. Reports suggested that the device would come with a 5500 mAh+ battery size.
However, some of the recent leaks hint that Apple will offer a battery capacity of roughly 5000 mAh. If true, it'll be the same as what you get in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Since there isn't concrete evidence at the moment, I'm genuinely interested to see whether the foldable surprises everyone with its 5500 mAh+ battery or Apple continues playing it safe in the battery department.
The online sentiment is mixed currently
Users thought on the iPhone Ultra rumored specs. | Image by Reddit
We have been hearing about the iPhone Ultra for a very long time, and most Apple fans are apparently very excited for it. You will find plenty of posts on online forums like Reddit with users saying that they are really looking forward to seeing the first Apple foldable in action. However, I was also easily able to find posts and comments with users basically saying that the rumored $2000 price tag is too much for a device that is reported to not feature Face ID or a telephoto lens and that will only support eSIM.
The iPhone Ultra could be the star of the upcoming Apple event
While both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are reported to get some noticeable upgrades over the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, I, personally, am excited for the iPhone Ultra. The reason is simple: it's the first foldable from Apple. Its main competitors, like Google and Samsung, have been releasing products in the foldable category for a really long time, and with the entry of Apple in this department, users would get one extra option to choose from, especially if they want an iOS experience in the foldable form factor.
Aman Kumar is a news writer at PhoneArena covering Google Pixel phones, Android features, AI-powered smartphone tools, and mobile tech news. Before joining PhoneArena, he spent over five years writing about consumer technology for publications like MakeUseOf, How-To Geek, and Guiding Tech. His current daily drivers are the Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus, while his red iPhone SE (2nd gen) remains a personal favorite. Aman also appreciates bold smartphone experiments and still considers the Nokia N-Gage one of the industry’s most iconic designs.
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