Apple to Unveil First Foldable iPhone 'Ultra' on September 9, Challenging Samsung's Dominance

For years, the smartphone market has felt largely iterative, with consumers holding onto their devices longer as annual updates deliver only minor camera tweaks and processor bumps. That holding pattern is about to break. On September 9, Apple is expected to finally enter the foldable arena, offering buyers a radically different form factor that transforms from a standard handset into a miniature tablet, fundamentally changing how users interact with their mobile devices.

At its "Surprise and shine" hardware event at Apple Park, the company will unveil the "iPhone Ultra"—its first-ever foldable smartphone—alongside the standard iPhone 18 Pro lineup. The launch marks Apple's most significant hardware pivot since the introduction of the iPhone X. By bringing a long-rumored, book-style foldable to market, Apple is stepping into an ultra-premium tier with a starting price expected to hit or exceed $2,000.[1][3]

While competitors have spent nearly a decade refining their hinges and flexible panels in public, Apple has reportedly focused its internal engineering on extreme thinness and durability. The iPhone Ultra is expected to measure roughly 4.5mm thick when unfolded, featuring a 5.5-inch outer cover screen and a 7.8-inch flexible inner display. Apple claims to have minimized the display crease that plagues current foldables, though early supply chain leaks suggest the physical fold line has not been entirely eliminated, regardless of the marketing terminology used to describe it.[2][3]

A major engineering question leading up to the launch was whether a chassis this thin could support wireless charging without overheating or compromising the battery size. According to recent reports, Apple has successfully integrated MagSafe magnets into the iPhone Ultra's ultra-thin frame. This inclusion gives the device a distinct ecosystem advantage over Samsung's newly released Galaxy Z Fold 8, which still lacks built-in magnetic charging alignment.[2][3]

However, achieving that slim profile requires several notable hardware trade-offs. The iPhone Ultra is expected to drop Face ID entirely, opting instead for a Touch ID sensor integrated directly into the side power button to save internal space. Additionally, the rear camera module will likely feature a dual-lens setup—omitting the dedicated optical telephoto lens found on the iPhone 18 Pro models, a compromise that early foldable adopters are already familiar with.[2]

Apple is not stepping into an empty arena; it is entering a mature and highly competitive field where rivals are already on their eighth generation of hardware. Samsung, the pioneer of the segment, launched its wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 in July to address long-standing complaints about narrow cover screens, while Huawei released its China-only Pura X Max in April.[1]

The timing of Apple's event has also triggered immediate counter-programming from Chinese manufacturers. Xiaomi is set to launch its own passport-style 18 Fold in China on September 7, deliberately undercutting Apple's Cupertino event by just two days. The Xiaomi device reportedly features an even shorter and wider aspect ratio than Samsung's latest offering, highlighting how aggressively the Android ecosystem is iterating on the book-style design.[1][4]

Hardware is only half the equation for a successful foldable; the device's ultimate utility will depend heavily on software execution. Apple is expected to showcase new, iPad-like multitasking features in iOS tailored specifically for the 7.8-inch inner display. The ability to seamlessly transition active applications from the 5.5-inch cover screen to a multi-window tablet interface will be critical to justifying the device's massive price premium, moving beyond the novelty of a folding screen into actual productivity gains.

If the iPhone Ultra ships on time alongside the Pro models, it will serve as a massive stress test for the foldable category as a whole. While Android manufacturers have proven the technology works, foldables remain a niche segment of the broader smartphone market. Apple's entry carries the potential to legitimize the form factor for mainstream consumers, forcing the entire industry to accelerate its hardware innovations or risk losing the ultra-premium tier entirely.