Tomorrow, September 9, 2026, Apple will finally unveil its first foldable iPhone. A few days before the presentation, the research company TrendForce published a detailed forecast of prices and specifications. We have gathered everything known about the iPhone Ultra ahead of the official announcement.
How Much the iPhone Ultra Will Cost
According to TrendForce’s estimate, the base 256 GB version of the iPhone Ultra will cost from $2,099 to $2,299 in the U.S. — this alone would make the device the most expensive iPhone in the history of the lineup, significantly surpassing the starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Higher configurations with 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB of storage, according to forecasts, may exceed the $3,000 mark.
For comparison: back in July, the consensus forecast put the starting price at around $1,999, so the final estimates have increased noticeably in recent months — another consequence of the global memory chip shortage, which has already affected prices of other Apple devices this year.
Design and Displays
According to rumors, the iPhone Ultra will have a book-style design that opens into something like a small iPad. The external display is expected to measure 5.3–5.5 inches, while the internal display, once unfolded, will be approximately 7.6–7.8 inches, with a wide 4:3 aspect ratio.
According to insiders, Apple has made significant efforts to make the display crease as barely noticeable as possible while keeping the device exceptionally thin. Instead of Face ID on the front panel, Touch ID built into the power button is expected, along with two front-facing cameras and a dual camera on the back.
Technical Hardware
According to available rumors, the iPhone Ultra will receive a variant of the A20 chip, approximately 12 GB of RAM, Apple’s new C2 modem and possibly the largest battery of any iPhone. A titanium body and a durable liquid-metal hinge are expected to provide structural strength.
When It Will Be Available to Buy
Although the presentation will take place on September 9 together with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, actual sales of the foldable iPhone, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s estimates, may not begin immediately — possibly only in the fourth quarter of 2026. The reason is a much more complex production process compared with a regular iPhone: the new display, hinge and body design create additional challenges for mass production.
According to a separate forecast, Apple expects to sell about 14 million iPhone Ultra units during fiscal 2027, although foldable devices overall, according to TrendForce estimates, will account for no more than 2% of the global smartphone market in 2026.
In Brief: The Key Points
- September 9, 2026 — official presentation of the iPhone Ultra together with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Price — from $2,099–$2,299 for the base version; higher configurations may exceed $3,000
- Book-style design: external display 5.3–5.5″, internal display 7.6–7.8″
- Touch ID in the power button instead of Face ID, titanium body
- Actual sales may begin no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2026 because of complex production
- All data for now are analyst forecasts, not official Apple specifications
FAQ
How much will the iPhone Ultra cost? According to TrendForce’s forecast, from $2,099 to $2,299 for the base 256 GB version, while higher configurations may exceed $3,000.
When will the iPhone Ultra presentation take place? September 9, 2026, together with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
When will the iPhone Ultra go on sale? According to analysts’ estimates, actual sales may begin no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2026 due to the more complex production process.
What design will the iPhone Ultra have? A book-style design that unfolds into a device with a 7.6–7.8-inch internal display and a 5.3–5.5-inch external display, with Touch ID in the power button instead of Face ID.
The article was prepared by the TechVisor team — practical IT media for people.
