Apple Unveils iPhone Ultra with Six New High-End Features, 9to5Mac Reports

Apple’s foldable iPhone Ultra will arrive with a book‑style hinge that folds the device width‑wise, a design choice that distinguishes it from the portrait‑oriented clamshells of most competitors, according to 9to5Mac. The outer display, projected at 5.3‑5.5 inches, will be shorter and wider than any current iPhone screen, while the inner panel—measuring roughly 7.6‑7.8 inches—approaches the size of an iPad mini. The company’s claim that the inner screen will be “crease‑free” marks a notable engineering breakthrough, suggesting Apple has solved the durability challenges that have limited other manufacturers’ foldable offerings.

Beyond the novel form factor, the Ultra will be powered by Apple’s next‑generation A20 Pro silicon, built on a 2‑nanometer process and employing a wafer‑level multi‑chip module (WMCM) architecture, 9to5Mac reports. The chip is expected to ship with 12 GB of RAM and faster LPDDR5 memory, a step up from the A19 Pro that underpins the current iPhone 18 line. Paired with the in‑house C2 cellular modem—Apple’s first self‑designed 5G solution—the Ultra should deliver both higher efficiency and tighter integration across the hardware stack, echoing Apple’s strategy of consolidating critical components under its own silicon umbrella.

Camera hardware on the Ultra will mirror the high‑resolution approach of the iPhone 18 Pro models, featuring dual 48‑megapixel rear sensors (a main and an ultra‑wide lens) but omitting the telephoto unit that distinguishes the Pro line. The dual‑display layout also necessitates two front‑facing cameras, likely 18‑megapixel units with Center Stage functionality, as 9to5Mac notes that Apple will retain the hole‑punch design introduced with the iPhone 17. While the absence of a telephoto lens may deter power‑users who prioritize optical zoom, the larger inner screen could compensate by offering a more expansive canvas for photography and video editing apps.

Software will be a differentiator as well. iOS 27, slated to debut with the Ultra, is expected to bring iPad‑style multitasking features such as side‑by‑side app layouts, according to Mark Gurman’s reporting via Bloomberg and cited by 9to5Mac. The operating system will not run iPadOS when unfolded, but the new multitasking capabilities suggest Apple is blurring the line between phone and tablet experiences without fully merging the two platforms. This incremental approach may ease developers’ transition to the new form factor while preserving the iPhone’s core app ecosystem.

Finally, the Ultra will revert to Touch ID for biometric authentication, embedding the sensor in the power button rather than relying on Face ID, 9to5Mac explains. Apple cites the device’s thin profile as the reason it cannot accommodate two separate Face ID modules—one for each screen—without compromising design. The move revives a familiar technology for many users and aligns the Ultra with the iPad Air and iPad mini, which already employ power‑button Touch ID. Color options appear limited to black and white, reinforcing a premium, minimalist aesthetic that Apple has cultivated across its flagship products.