This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
Apple's foldable iPhone might not be called "iPhone Fold," but rather "iPhone Ultra." This is the claim made by the Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, who also reports that other manufacturers are already planning to copy the name.
It was one of the most discussed open questions surrounding Apple's first foldable smartphone: What will it be called? While rumors have been circulating for months about the device being called the "iPhone Fold," a new leak now suggests that Apple internally favors a different name. According to the Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station, the foldable is to be called... iPhone Ultra to be launched – a term that Apple has so far only used for the Apple Watch.
Apple's branding is rarely accidental. Product names signal their positioning within the lineup: "Air" stands for lightness and affordability, "Pro" for professional demands, and "Max" for maximum performance. Apple has previously used "Ultra" as a top-of-the-line designation for the Apple Watch and the M-series chips. Applying this name to an iPhone would send a clear message: the foldable device is to be positioned as the ultimate premium iPhone.
What the leaker claims
Digital Chat Station reported, Apple is internally referring to its widescreen foldable device as the “iPhone Ultra.” Particularly noteworthy is the fact that Chinese manufacturers are reportedly already considering adopting the Ultra name for their own foldables in order to directly compete with Apple in terms of display size, specifications, and pricing.
It's not unusual in the industry for competitors to copy Apple's naming conventions even before the official launch. However, it suggests that the information originates from supplier or industry sources that are already working with specific product names.
iPhone Ultra: Does the name fit?
The "Ultra" designation is not without controversy. On the one hand, it fits the expected price – the device is estimated to cost between $2,000 and $2,500, making it the most expensive iPhone ever. On the other hand, the foldable iPhone forgoes Face ID and has one less camera than the Pro models. It would be unusual to position a device with fewer features than the iPhone 18 Pro as “Ultra”.
However, Apple's naming conventions haven't always been consistent in the past. The iPhone Air, for example, is thinner but not more powerful than the regular iPhone. Apple could argue that the "Ultra" name refers less to individual specifications and more to the overall positioning as the most innovative and exclusive iPhone in the lineup.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman already hinted in March that Apple is planning several new Ultra products for 2026. This fits with a picture in which Apple consciously wants to strengthen the Ultra brand across various product categories.
What happens next
The name of an Apple product is one of those details that typically only leaks late in development. The fact that the first hints are now emerging fits the timeline: The Test production Foxconn is running it; dummy models are in the... Accessories industry The rumor is circulating, and the announcement is expected in September. Whether Apple will actually stick with "iPhone Ultra" or opt for a different name should become clear at the launch. (Image: FrontPageTech x Asherdipps)
- iPhone Fold: Dummy photos reveal dimensions
- iPhone Fold encounters Problems during Testing
- iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2: New Leaks about Design and Release
- iPhone Fold reaches Test Production at Foxconn
- iPhone 18: New colors expected instead of a major redesign
- iPhone 18 Pro: No Black, but Deep Red
- iPhone Fold: Three design features never before seen from Apple
- iOS 27 improves Siri with true multitasking
- iPhone 20: Design revolution with minor hurdles
- iPhone 18 Pro: Leak reveals smaller Dynamic Island
- watchOS 27: Apple focuses on AI and improved Performance
- Apple is working on an OLED iMac: All the details at a glance
- Apple Anniversary: Grand Finale Planned at Apple Park
- Apple is about to undergo the biggest iPhone overhaul in its history
- iOS 27: Apple plans major AI offensive with Siri App
- iPhone 18: Smaller Dynamic Island for all models?
- Apple is trying to stop departures with lucrative bonuses
- Apple Watch 2026: No major redesign planned
- iPhone Fold: Market launch follows the iPhone 18 Pro
- iOS 27: Apple opens Siri to Claude and other AI tools
- Apple is pushing ahead with the development of an all-screen iPhone
- Apple is testing a new 200-megapixel iPhone camera
