Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, widely referred to in leaks as the iPhone Ultra, is drawing closer to launch as accessory makers reportedly begin receiving specifications for cases. New leaked images are said to reveal the device’s design in greater detail, reinforcing many of the features that have surfaced in previous renders and reports. The foldable is expected to adopt a wide-format design rather than the taller book-style approach used by many current foldable smartphones. When opened, it would unfold horizontally into a wider, shorter screen that is closer in feel to a small tablet, similar to the Huawei Pura X Max.
The rear design is expected to include two cameras positioned on a slim island, reportedly resembling the camera layout seen on the iPhone Air. Because of space limitations, Face ID is said to be absent from the device, with Apple instead using a side-mounted Touch ID power button for biometric authentication. Leaks also suggest that the phone may feature two buttons on the top edge, positioned for the right hand when the device is opened and used in its unfolded state.
The newly surfaced case images appear to match earlier render leaks and show support for MagSafe, confirming that Apple’s magnetic accessory ecosystem is likely to remain part of the foldable iPhone experience. The internal display shown in the images does not appear to include a visible front camera, but reports indicate that the final device may still use a punch-hole cutout. Apple is believed to have explored an under-display camera, but the technology was reportedly not ready in time for the foldable’s development schedule.
The foldable iPhone is emerging during a period when the foldable smartphone market is entering a new phase. With the Huawei Pura X Max already available and Samsung expected to move forward with its next-generation Fold model, manufacturers are betting that demand for foldables will continue to grow. Early reactions to Apple’s rumored device appear to be strong, with many consumers expressing excitement at the possibility of an Apple-made foldable.
As with many product categories Apple enters, expectations are high that the company could influence the direction of the market. Apple has often helped define and popularize new device categories, and observers are already speculating that its foldable iPhone could bring fresh attention to the segment. One of the biggest unanswered questions is how noticeable the screen crease will be, since display quality and crease visibility have long been among the main challenges for foldable phones. Even if the design is still divisive, the prospect of Apple’s first foldable iPhone is generating significant interest ahead of its official unveiling.
