The Apple iPhone lineup saw major changes this year with the introduction of the iPhone Air and the refined iPhone 17 Pro series. But according to multiple reports, the biggest transformation is yet to come.
In 2025, Apple is rumored to launch its first-ever foldable iPhone, and if leaks are accurate, this revolutionary device could officially debut as the iPhone Ultra — setting a new benchmark for premium smartphones.
Here’s why Apple’s next-generation foldable might carry the Ultra name and what it means for the future of the iPhone.
🏆 #1: “Ultra” Outshines “Max” in Apple’s Product Hierarchy
For over a decade, the iPhone Pro Max has represented the pinnacle of Apple’s smartphone technology. But with the upcoming foldable device rumored to feature a larger and more advanced display than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the term “Max” may no longer truly mean maximum.
Apple’s naming conventions often reflect product superiority — just like its M-series chips, where M3 Ultra outperforms M3 Max and M3 Pro.
Following this logic, calling the new foldable device iPhone Ultra makes perfect sense. It signals that this isn’t just another iPhone — it’s the ultimate iPhone, a step beyond anything Apple has done before.
🔮 #2: More Than a Foldable — The Birth of a New iPhone Category
While competitors like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Google Pixel Fold dominate the foldable space, Apple rarely follows industry trends. Instead, it reinvents them.
Apple’s branding history supports this:
- The Apple Vision Pro wasn’t called a “VR headset.”
- The company doesn’t call its AI “artificial intelligence” — it’s Apple Intelligence.
This deliberate distinction reinforces Apple’s unique positioning in the tech world.
So, instead of calling its new device “iPhone Fold”, Apple may choose “iPhone Ultra” to emphasize innovation and exclusivity — presenting it as a new class of iPhone that blends foldable technology with ultra-premium design and performance.
And although Samsung already uses the Ultra label, it’s never applied it to a foldable model — giving Apple the opportunity to redefine what “Ultra” truly means in the smartphone world.
💰 #3: A Premium Name for a Premium Price
If rumors are correct, the Apple iPhone Ultra price could exceed $2,000 USD, positioning it as the most expensive iPhone ever made.
To put that in perspective:
- The Apple Watch Ultra, launched in 2022, started at $799, nearly double the standard Apple Watch.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple’s current top-tier model, starts at $1,199.
With such a significant price jump, branding the new foldable device as the iPhone Ultra would make the cost feel justified.
Psychologically, “Ultra” implies the best of the best — a product designed for elite users who demand cutting-edge innovation, durability, and design excellence.
In contrast, naming it simply “iPhone Fold” could make it seem like a niche experiment rather than a revolutionary flagship.
🧩 What We Know So Far About the iPhone Ultra
Although Apple has yet to confirm anything officially, leaks and analyst reports — including from Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu — hint at several key features:
- 7.8-inch foldable OLED display
- 5.5-inch outer screen for compact use
- Hybrid titanium-aluminum frame for lightweight durability
- Touch ID support instead of Face ID
- iOS 27 optimization for foldable display modes
These specs suggest that Apple isn’t just building a foldable phone — it’s creating a new iPhone experience that blends portability, performance, and design into one seamless ecosystem.
⚙️ iPhone Ultra vs iPhone Pro Max: The Next Evolution of Power
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will likely continue as Apple’s main “traditional” flagship, offering top-tier camera systems and performance. But the iPhone Ultra 2025 could stand above it as a technological showpiece, featuring advanced folding mechanics, exclusive display technology, and enhanced multitasking features powered by Apple Intelligence.
In short, the iPhone Ultra might not replace the Pro Max — it could redefine the entire ultra-premium category within Apple’s ecosystem.
🧠 Final Thoughts: The Future Is “Ultra”
The idea of an iPhone Ultra isn’t just marketing hype — it aligns with Apple’s historical strategy of pushing boundaries and setting new standards in technology.
If priced around $2,000, this device would represent Apple’s boldest move since the original iPhone in 2007. And based on Apple’s track record, the world’s first iPhone Ultra could easily dominate the foldable smartphone market, just as the iPhone did with touchscreens years ago.
So whether you call it the iPhone Fold, iPhone Ultra, or iPhone 18 Ultra, one thing is certain: Apple’s next iPhone will change everything again.
