iPhone Ultra: New details on possible prices, technology, and availability
Apple's first foldable is expected to address existing issues with foldable smartphones, but customers will have to dig deep into their pockets.
Foldable smartphone (not from Apple).
(Image: ra2 studio / Shutterstock.com)
It should happen in less than half a year: Apple's first foldable iPhone will be unveiled. Despite rumors to the contrary, September is generally considered the set launch date for the foldable, likely to be called “Ultra.” However, it is conceivable that delivery will not begin until October. The planned price range is ambitious: According to information from the financial news agency Bloomberg, it starts at US$2,000, and with more storage, it could approach the $2,800 mark. In euros, it is likely to start well over 2,000 euros and go up to almost 3,000 euros – with 2 TByte flash.
Crease-free and durable
Apple has achieved several breakthroughs, it is said. These include the virtual elimination of the well-known “ironing crease” that other foldables still exhibit, as well as an improvement in the general durability of the folding devices. However, at least the virtual crease-freeness is not new: The Chinese manufacturer Oppo, with whom Apple is currently in a legal dispute over alleged theft of intellectual property, recently showcased such a device with the Find N6. Samsung is also working on such displays.
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With the iPhone Ultra, Apple is planning a passport-like form factor: when closed, the device will be wider than usual for regular smartphones. The idea is that when unfolded, the device will have the aspect ratio of an iPad mini, which, while not quite 16:9, will make the design less square. It is reportedly planned to have an internal dimension of about 7.7 inches and an external dimension of 5.3 inches. Here too, there are competing devices from China: Huawei is preparing such a device with the Pura X Max at the moment. Samsung also intends to move in this direction with a possible “alaxy Z Fold 8 Wide.”
Return of Touch ID and window questions
Otherwise, the iPhone Ultra is expected to forgo Face ID facial recognition for the first time in many years, relying instead on a sleep/wake button equipped with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, similar to what is found on the iPad mini. A front camera and two rear image sensors are also planned, making it a more limited photo and video system than, for example, an iPhone Pro model.
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