Apple could launch a $2,000 foldable iPhone — here’s what we know 📱

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It was tech YouTuber Unbox Therapy who reportedly became one of the very first media figures to get access to this highly anticipated device. “iPhone Ultra” is said to be the name Apple has chosen for this entirely new type of iPhone. However, the content creator reportedly only handled a dummy unit. Still, that was enough to deliver some early impressions that are already sparking major discussions online.

A polished yet daring design 🎨

On the front, the iPhone Ultra would reportedly feature volume buttons repositioned toward the upper section of the frame, while the speakers would sit diagonally across the device — an unusual design decision for Apple.

On the back, two camera sensors would remain integrated into Apple’s familiar camera module layout. The overall design stays immediately recognizable, preserving the company’s signature aesthetic despite the radical new form factor.

Precise and carefully measured dimensions 📐

The iPhone Ultra would adopt a rectangular, book-like folding format. Once unfolded, the device is said to measure an impressively thin 5.24 mm, putting it close to the rumored iPhone Air in terms of slimness.

When folded shut, it would measure 117.71 mm in height and 84.27 mm in width. Thickness would reportedly range from 11.02 mm at its thinnest point to 16.57 mm around the camera module.

A massive camera bump ⚠️

That camera module is precisely what caught Unbox Therapy’s attention. Described as “huge,” it reportedly creates a noticeable incline when the phone rests on a flat surface, making the device wobble with even slight contact.

The YouTuber jokingly referred to it as the “wobble champion.”

A device designed to be used unfolded 🔓

Another major takeaway from this early hands-on experience is that Apple appears to have designed the iPhone Ultra primarily for unfolded use.

According to Unbox Therapy, using the device while folded feels like “a major regression compared to the current iPhone” — a harsh but revealing assessment.

With its reduced height and considerable thickness in folded mode, the device reportedly struggles to feel practical when closed. It is only once unfolded that its full potential truly becomes apparent.

A dummy unit, not the final product 🚧

It is important to remember that Unbox Therapy only had access to a non-functional dummy model. The unit was designed to showcase the device’s size and ergonomics, but lacked key components such as speakers, software, and camera hardware.

Those elements could still evolve significantly before launch.

As such, the video should be viewed as an early preview rather than a definitive representation of Apple’s final product. Minor — or even substantial — changes could still happen before the company officially unveils the device.

A foldable market that is already fiercely competitive 📱⚔️

Apple may be arriving late to the foldable smartphone race, but the competition has not stood still. Samsung remains the dominant player in the segment with its Galaxy Z Fold lineup, while Huawei, Honor, and Oppo have all accelerated innovation in recent years.

Huawei especially drew attention with the Pura X Max, an ambitious large-format foldable device, while Honor and Oppo have focused heavily on producing thinner and lighter foldables.

Despite those advances, foldable smartphones still represent a relatively small portion of the global smartphone market, even though shipments continue to grow steadily.

But beyond the “wow factor,” foldables still face several major challenges. Durability remains one of the biggest concerns, particularly around hinges and flexible displays. Battery life is another critical issue due to large screens combined with ultra-thin designs. And then there is the price: foldables remain firmly positioned in the ultra-premium category.

Those are exactly the areas where Apple will be expected to deliver. The company will need to prove it can offer not only an elegant foldable device, but also one that is durable, optimized, and practical enough to convince a broader audience.

A future contender for the best foldable crown ? 🏆

Even so, it is difficult to ignore the potential surrounding this iPhone Ultra. Backed by Apple’s ecosystem, an ambitious “Ultra” branding strategy, and a rumored price tag above €2,000 — roughly 1,310,764 CFA francs — the device could quickly position itself as one of the most important foldables on the market.

Its official unveiling, expected later this year, should provide a much clearer picture of what Apple is truly bringing to the category.

Apple is finally entering the foldable smartphone market. Too late — or just at the right time? Let us know in the comments.