Just weeks before the expected unveiling, the first testimonials have emerged from people who have actually handled Apple's foldable iPhone. They unanimously cite four features as the most compelling – and all four relate to the design, not the specifications.
For months, the picture of the foldable iPhone has been pieced together from supplier reports, dummy photos, and code snippets. How the device feels in everyday use remained a mystery – a gap that Mark Gurman fills in his Power On newsletter on Bloomberg on Sunday. He cites several people who have already used the device, adding a missing layer to the overall picture of the iPhone Ultra.
Key Facts at a Glance
- According to the report, four features are particularly praised: its pocketability, the durability of the hinge, the iPad-like app arrangements on the inner display, and its suitability as a camera viewfinder.
- All four points relate to the casing, mechanics and operation – the known shortcomings in biometrics and camera remain unaffected.
- The individuals are not named. These are subjective impressions from the pre-production environment, not measured values.
- For buyers outside the USA, these impressions are currently the only basis: There is conflicting information regarding the market launch in this country.
Pocketability and hinge are paramount
The most frequently mentioned point is simply that the device fits well in a trouser pocket. This isn't a given with a foldable phone: when folded, two halves of the casing plus the hinge lie on top of each other, which is why many devices of this design are quite thick. Reports indicate that the outer display measures around 5.5 inches – the dummy images of the final design already showed a comparatively slim format when closed.
Second on the list is the durability of the hinge. This is the point where the project nearly failed: For months, suppliers reported difficulties with the mechanism until the hinge problem was finally resolved. The fact that this particular component is now performing well fits the overall pattern – however, this doesn't prove its long-term stability, as no one has yet used the device for several years.
The internal display behaves like an iPad
The third point concerns the software. App layouts that utilize the unfolded display, rather than simply showing an enlarged iPhone interface, are praised. This was already suggested by findings in iOS 27, which allow two apps to run side-by-side on the iPhone Ultra. The inner panel is expected to measure around 7.8 inches and be wider than it is tall – an aspect ratio closer to the iPad than the iPhone.
The fourth point stems from the design: When opened, the large display can be used as a viewfinder while the rear cameras record. This advantage becomes even more significant for a device without a telephoto lens.
What is reported about the equipment
| Info | Status of the reports |
|---|---|
| Outer display | approximately 5.5 inches |
| Inner display | approximately 7.8 inches, wider than it is tall |
| Biometrics | Touch ID instead of Face ID |
| Cameras | Main and ultra-wide-angle camera, no telephoto lens |
| Starting price | at least 2,000 US dollars |
The figures are taken from reports from various sources over the past few months. A data sheet, approval document, or other documentation to substantiate them is not yet available.
How reliable are the statements?
Gurman is one of the most reliable sources on Apple product plans; dates, specifications, and product names from his reports have been confirmed with above-average accuracy over the years. This track record applies to factual information—this is about something else.
The reviews are based on the opinions of anonymous individuals who had access to an unannounced device. Those with this access are generally close to the project, and in this context, enthusiasm comes more easily than criticism. Furthermore, praise for portability and the feel of the hinge cannot be measured. These are impressions, not test results – and they say nothing about how the hinge will perform after two years of daily use.
Why the praise in this country can later be verified
For the German-speaking market, these impressions are more important than elsewhere. Regarding the sales launch outside the US, there is no consistent information: A report in mid-August predicted a staggered market launch starting in the United States, but a few days later, conflicting information emerged. Both accounts remain unchanged.
In practical terms, this means that if the four praised features happen to be those that can only be assessed on the device itself – weight in a pocket, hinge resistance, handling when taking photos – then secondhand descriptions may be all that's available in this country for weeks. A demo unit in a store is no substitute for a week of everyday use.
Four strengths that all relate to the same construction site
What's striking is what's missing from the list. Not a word about camera quality, battery life, or performance. The only praise focuses on the folding mechanism and the large display – precisely what differentiates this device from an iPhone 18 Pro. This can be interpreted in two ways: as proof that Apple has mastered the form factor, or as an indication that there's little else to report.
For the purchase decision, the second interpretation is more important. A device without a telephoto lens and with Touch ID instead of Face ID falls short of what a Pro model offers in terms of core functionality – and, according to the report, costs significantly more. Those considering this premium are buying the form factor, not the superior features. If camera and biometrics are more important to you than a foldable design, stick with the classic iPhone line; the differences between the current iPhone models provide a better benchmark.
All of this will only become reliable once it's presented. Preparations for the September event are underway, and the official invitation is expected in the coming days – then, instead of described impressions, we'll get technical data and a price.
What would be the deciding factor for you: its pocket-friendliness, the large internal display – or does the lack of a telephoto lens and Face ID weigh more heavily than both combined? Let us know in the comments which of the four praised features would convince you the most.
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