Apple is getting closer to unveiling its first ever foldable smartphone, allegedly dubbed the “iPhone Ultra” and launching alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line during their yearly press event on the 9th of September.
Price leaks, and forecast data emerging today and research predictions are indicating that this ultra-premium foldable will be the brand’s most expensive device to date, launching at nearly $2,000, and the same prices on international telecom registers could charge even higher in specific countries.
It is said Apple will launch their highly-anticipated foldable price points far beyond their current highest-tier flagship iPhones.
A more focused report from research firm TrendForce points that the new foldable will start from $2,099- $2,299, with an eye-watering highest storage option of 2 Terabytes possibly pricing the device beyond $3,000. These numbers come after similar prices were hinted at across international telco lists that show up in a device registry such as Vodafone in Egypt.
According to experts, these price hikes mean the foldable iPhone Ultra price will be 75%-85% above the current standard devices such as the iPhone 17 Pro and that Apple will position this new category well outside typical prices we have come to expect.
This hike in the price is assumed to be from a bespoke hinge made specifically for their foldable and in-house hardware, as well as an almost custom design featuring a primary 7.8-inch folded display and a smaller 5.5-inch outer cover screen.
However this will not deter Apple from attempting to secure itself a top portion of the high-tier foldable market with a powerful hardware suite based around the next-generation A20 Pro chip (which is expected to feature a new 2nm process from TSMC), native hinge expertise and specialized iOS software built specifically for a foldable display, giving it unique hardware access.
In terms of market entry, the iPhone Ultra will go directly up against Samsung’s Galaxy Z line-up and the Google Pixel Fold, though the higher starting price should make it a difficult venture to match by any current Android rival on price, though the OS alone would justify the price for Apple devotees.
All in all, a price that far exceeds the $2,000 barrier makes it clear Apple are approaching the foldable generation not as a device to replace a current iPhone, but as a dedicated productivity product.
The price confirmed at the release date will shape what Apple hopes this venture will contribute.
