Apple’s first foldable iPhone, rumored to launch as the iPhone Ultra, is reportedly winning over people inside the company who have already used the device.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, several people familiar with the upcoming device have praised key parts of the foldable iPhone experience, including its pocketable design, durable hinge, larger internal display, and usefulness as a camera viewfinder.
The iPhone Ultra is expected to use a book-style folding design, with a smaller outer display for everyday use and a larger internal screen that opens up for apps, multitasking, video, reading, and other more immersive tasks.
One of the biggest positives reportedly mentioned by those who have used the device is how well it fits in a pocket. Previous reports have suggested the outer display will measure around 5.5 inches, making the device compact when closed despite offering a much larger screen when unfolded.
The hinge is also said to be a highlight. Foldable phones rely heavily on hinge durability, and Apple is believed to have spent years refining the mechanism to make the device feel premium and reliable enough for daily use.
Another area said to have impressed early users is the software experience. The larger internal display is expected to support more iPad-like app layouts, giving users more space for multitasking and apps that can take advantage of the expanded screen. Reports have suggested the inner display could measure around 7.8 inches, making the device feel closer to a small iPad when open.
The foldable design could also improve the camera experience. With the device opened, the larger display could work as a more useful viewfinder, giving users a bigger preview when taking photos or recording video.
Despite the excitement, the iPhone Ultra is still expected to come with some compromises compared with the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Reports have suggested the device may include a main camera and ultra-wide camera, but no telephoto lens. Apple is also rumored to use Touch ID rather than Face ID, likely because of the space and design challenges involved in building a foldable device.
Pricing is expected to be another major factor. Multiple reports have suggested the iPhone Ultra could cost more than $2,000, making it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max next month. The standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are rumored to follow separately in spring 2027 as Apple shifts toward a staggered iPhone release schedule.