GoKawiil
Tech News
A long-time foldable phone user argues that Apple's upcoming iPhone Ultra, expected to launch September 9, will likely carry over many of the same compromises seen in Android foldables. These include a soft plastic folding display prone to scratches, a factory-applied screen protector users typically cannot remove, and other durability and design tradeoffs common to the foldable category.
Ahead of Apple's September 9 event, where the company is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and a foldable iPhone Ultra, a rumored dark cherry red color option for the Pro models has inspired a fan-made AI video ad. The creator clearly labeled the clip as AI-generated rather than presenting it as a leak.
Apple has revealed more details about iPhone Handoff, a feature coming with iOS 27 that lets a user pair two iPhones so both can use the same phone number, with one device set as primary and the other as a companion. A demo showing setup through Xcode 27's Device Hub surfaced after the feature was first teased at WWDC in June without specifics.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports Apple could reveal its long-rumored foldable iPhone at its Sept. 9 event but delay its retail launch until later, echoing the iPhone X rollout pattern from 2017. The device, expected to carry the iPhone Ultra name and a price above $2,000, would feature a 7.8-inch internal display and side-by-side multitasking rather than full iPad-style features.
A Bloomberg report from Mark Gurman outlines Apple's iPhone lineup roadmap ahead of next week's launch event, covering the iPhone 18 Pro models and a foldable 'iPhone Ultra' arriving this fall, plus 2027 releases including an iPhone Air 2, redesigned Pro models marking the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, and a second-generation foldable device. The foldable Ultra is expected to fold to roughly passport size, include Touch ID and an advanced hinge, and cost over $2,000.
9to5Mac's daily podcast episode for September 4 rounds up ongoing speculation about a possible iPhone Ultra model and the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. The episode is hosted by Chance Miller and distributed through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play and RSS feeds.
A supply chain report from Nikkei Asia says Apple is currently producing only a few hundred iPhone Ultra foldable units per day, far below the tens of thousands needed daily to hit normal launch targets. An extra trial production run in August, meant to verify the device's hinge performance and surface flatness, reportedly pushed back commercial manufacturing by several weeks.
Ahead of next week's launch, rumors detail three advantages Apple's foldable iPhone Ultra will hold over the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: dual displays offering both larger and smaller screen options, a slimmer folded form that fits pockets more easily, and exclusive multitasking features in iOS 27 like side-by-side apps with drag-and-drop support.
A new Omdia research note on Apple's Mac and iPad roadmap states that plans for a 16.1- to 18-inch foldable MacBook have been scrapped. The device, previously described by analyst Mark Gurman as a priority for hardware engineering chief John Ternus, was rumored to combine iPad and Mac functionality with a screen as large as 20 inches.
According to The Elec, Google is expected to adopt a dual ultra-thin glass (UTG) screen structure for the Pixel 12 Pro Fold's inner display, following a similar approach reportedly used in Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone. OPPO and vivo are also said to be moving toward this same structure for their next foldable devices.
Ahead of Apple's September event, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared new details on the upcoming iPhone Ultra foldable in a Tom's Guide interview, confirming MagSafe support, a 5.5-inch cover display paired with a 7.8-inch inner screen, and Apple's latest Pro chip and modem. He also described a durable liquid metal hinge designed to minimize the crease, plus iOS 27 multitasking features including drag-and-drop between apps.
Apple is set to unveil its first foldable phone, the iPhone Ultra, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line at next week's event. While earlier rumors suggested a delay into late 2026 or even 2027, the most recent supply chain reports from Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital and Cailian News Agency indicate the device remains on track for a September release, though with very constrained initial stock.