Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Ultra Leak Gives the Clearest Look Yet at Its Design
Fresh dummy units of Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone have surfaced, offering what may be the clearest look yet at the company’s first book-style folding smartphone. Often referred to in leaks as the iPhone Ultra, the device appears to mark a major design shift for Apple as it prepares to enter the foldable phone market.
The latest leak suggests Apple may keep things surprisingly simple for its first foldable iPhone launch. According to the new design models, the device is currently shown in white, and recent rumors indicate that this could be the only color option available at release. Earlier speculation pointed to a possible black version as well, but that option may have been dropped.
If true, Apple’s decision to launch the foldable iPhone in just one color would not be entirely surprising. For a first-generation product in a new category, the company may want to focus on manufacturing consistency, premium positioning, and supply control rather than offering multiple finishes right away.
The leaked dummy models also reveal an important detail about the inner display. The foldable iPhone appears to feature a perfectly round punch-hole selfie camera cutout on the inside screen. This would be a notable first for Apple, which has relied on notch and Dynamic Island-style designs in recent iPhones.
Multiple leaked design models and schematics now point to this circular cutout for the internal display, making it increasingly likely that Apple has settled on this layout. However, as with all pre-release hardware leaks, the final production model could still differ slightly.
The situation is less clear when it comes to the outer cover display. Some earlier schematics showed a small round punch-hole camera, while newer leaks suggest Apple may use a compact Dynamic Island-style cutout similar to what is expected on the iPhone 18 Pro series. That option would make sense if Apple wants to keep the design language consistent across its premium iPhone lineup.
Face ID is also a major factor. A Dynamic Island-style cutout would better support Apple’s facial recognition hardware, though some rumors have also suggested that Touch ID could return through the power button on the foldable model.
As for specifications, the foldable iPhone Ultra is rumored to arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series in September. It is expected to feature Apple’s next-generation 2nm A20 Pro chip, which could bring major improvements in performance and power efficiency.
The device is also rumored to include the largest battery ever used in an iPhone, a key upgrade for a foldable phone with two displays. Current reports point to a 5.5-inch cover screen and a larger 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded.
Camera hardware may be more streamlined than on Apple’s Pro Max models. The foldable iPhone is expected to use a dual-camera system, but without a dedicated telephoto lens. This could help Apple keep the device thinner and reduce internal complexity, both of which are important challenges in foldable phone design.
Software will likely be just as important as hardware. With WWDC 2026 taking place around the same time as these leaks, attention is turning to whether Apple will preview software features designed specifically for the foldable iPhone.
Rumors suggest iOS 27 could bring a major redesign that blends elements of iOS and iPadOS. That would make sense for a device that transforms from a compact phone into a small tablet-like screen. Apple may introduce smarter multitasking, adaptive app layouts, and automatic scaling for apps that are not yet optimized for foldable displays.
If Apple can deliver a polished software experience from day one, the foldable iPhone Ultra could stand apart from existing foldable smartphones. Apple typically enters new hardware categories later than competitors, but it often focuses on refinement, ecosystem integration, and user experience.
The foldable iPhone has been rumored for years, but these latest dummy units make the device feel closer than ever. With a book-style design, white finish, large inner display, possible Dynamic Island on the cover screen, and next-generation Apple silicon, the iPhone Ultra could become one of the most important iPhone launches in years.
For now, Apple has not confirmed the device, its name, or its release date. But if the current leaks are accurate, the first foldable iPhone may finally be on track for a major debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.
