The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to be far more than another premium handset, with its arrival poised to influence the wider smartphone industry in 2026. After years of speculation, Apple is set to give iPhone users their first foldable option, entering a category that Android manufacturers have occupied for some time.
Apple is expected to unveil the device next month, with the product widely tipped to carry the iPhone Ultra name. Industry commentary has framed the launch as a moment that could help Apple recapture some of its earlier appeal, while also drawing renewed attention to the foldable format as a whole.
Apple’s influence on smartphone design
Apple has repeatedly shaped the smartphone market, with rivals frequently following its lead on features and design choices. Wireless audio accessories, fingerprint scanning, the rear camera bump layout, the Dynamic Island and even the shapes of competing earphones and smartwatches have all echoed Apple’s approach over the years.
That pattern of imitation extends to foldables. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, a wide-folding device comparable to the iPhone Ultra, is thought to have taken shape after Samsung observed the type of displays Apple had requested for its own foldable. The industry closely tracks Apple’s moves, and a foldable iPhone is likely to prompt a familiar wave of responses from competitors, albeit with Apple arriving relatively late to the segment.
A potential renaissance for foldables
Apple is stepping into an established market where Samsung, Google and several other manufacturers have refined their foldable flagships over multiple generations. Yet foldable phones still account for only a very small share of global smartphone sales, and many buyers continue to regard them as a novelty or an unnecessary expense.
Apple’s entry could shift that perception considerably. A foldable iPhone is likely to bring significant mainstream attention to the format, potentially encouraging manufacturers that do not yet offer folding models to enter the category in pursuit of the renewed interest.
Despite a reported price tag of more than £1,500, the iPhone Ultra is expected to sell strongly. As the device becomes a more common sight in public, the foldable form factor may gain broader visibility across the market.
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Image: phonearena.com
