GoKawiilIt's a new week and a new set of rumors for Apple's first foldable phone. If Tuesday's reports are true, the device will be called the Ultra, have a bookish shape and launch in September.
The main report comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who said the foldable is on track for a September launch, despite Nikkei Asia reporting that the phone might not launch until 2027 due to issues that cropped up during the engineering test phase.
Citing unnamed sources, Gurman said Apple will introduce the foldable phone in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Those phones would likely go on sale about a week after being unveiled.
An Apple representative didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. It's important to note that while rumors abound, Apple has confirmed none of them -- not even the existence of a foldable iPhone.
Still, the earlier Nikkei Asia report was jarring enough to send Apple's stock down 5.1% before it rebounded later, Gurman noted. The Nikkei Asia story said unexpected issues had arisen during engineering testing and that more time was needed to make "necessary adjustments." Under a worst-case scenario, the first shipment of the foldables would not occur until 2027, the report said.
More from CNET: Foldable Phones Have Solved Nearly Every Trade-Off, Well Before Apple Debuts One
Looks like a book
Meanwhile, consumer tech reviewer Sonny Dickson posted images on X showing dummy models indicating how big the iPhone Fold, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max might be. In the image, the foldable has an almost square shape when fully opened.
Dummy images are useful for phone accessory manufacturers -- such as case-makers -- so they can get a head start on mass production before the devices are launched. When phones are released, consumers are quick to order cases and other accessories, so the sizes need to be known. It is unclear whether the dummy models shown are actual mockups from Apple.
People who commented on X didn't seem to love the dummy images, particularly because the models shown appear to lack MagSafe, Apple's magnetic system on the back of the phone that lets chargers and other accessories snap on.
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