The iPhone Ultra, Apple’s first foldable handset, is set to headline the company’s next wave of releases as part of a product roadmap stretching to 2028. A newly surfaced timeline outlines how Apple intends to reshape its premium line-up over the coming years, beginning with a September 2026 launch event.
Apple is adjusting its release schedule by unveiling its premium models in September 2026. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the first foldable iPhone, referred to internally as the iPhone Ultra, are due to be revealed on Wednesday 9 September during Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event. The standard iPhone 18, the slimline iPhone Air 2 and the lower-priced iPhone 18e are expected to follow next spring.
New features for the iPhone 18 Pro range
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are tipped to introduce a mechanical variable aperture on the main camera, a feature that may be limited to the iPhone 18 Pro Max. This would allow users to adjust the amount of light reaching the image sensor, delivering true optical subject separation rather than relying on computational depth maps. The result is a more natural and softer background blur, or bokeh effect.
Both Pro models are expected to offer longer battery life and will be powered by the A20 Pro processor. This will be the first chipset in an iPhone built on the 2nm process node and using the Gate-All-Around transistor architecture. Improved vapour chambers are set to keep both handsets cool, and each is expected to feature Apple’s in-house C2 5G modem.
The iPhone Ultra arrives
The foldable iPhone, widely known internally as the iPhone Ultra, is rumoured to start at around £1,570. It pairs a large internal display with a smaller external screen and will also run the 2nm A20 Pro chipset alongside the C2 5G modem. The device is expected to include Touch ID, an advanced hinge and a crease said to be shallower and less visible than those found on rival foldables.
The minimal crease is intended to be the handset’s standout feature. When closed, the iPhone Ultra is roughly the size of a passport and will carry a main and an ultra-wide camera.
Apple is hoping to repeat strong demand with the standard iPhone 18, while buyers on tighter budgets may find the iPhone 18e appealing. When the iPhone 17e launched, it was priced at around £47.
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Image: phonearena.com
