Apple Prepares to Launch $2,000 Foldable iPhone Ultra with Large Screen and Key Trade-Offs

Apple is set to unveil its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra, at its upcoming annual event. This new flagship device will mark a significant design shift for the company, featuring a "wide book" foldable form factor similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. The iPhone Ultra will have a 5.5-inch external screen and a large 7.8-inch internal display that supports an iPad-like app layout. Despite its advanced design, the device will be remarkably thin at just 4.5 millimeters when open and will include a durable hinge mechanism.

The foldable iPhone will come with a starting price of $2,000, rising above $2,500 for higher storage models, positioning it as a luxury product. To maintain its slim profile, Apple has made several compromises: the phone will not include Face ID but will instead use a Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the side power button. Additionally, it will have a dual-camera setup with a 48-megapixel main lens and an ultra-wide lens but will lack a telephoto camera, a notable omission for a premium device.

Apple aims to leverage its brand strength to expand the foldable smartphone market, which currently accounts for only about 1.6% of global smartphone sales and is dominated by Samsung, Huawei, and Google. The iPhone Ultra will be revealed alongside the traditional iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, presenting consumers with a choice between a high-priced foldable with a large screen and design innovations or the more conventional Pro models with full camera and security features. The market response will determine whether Apple can popularize foldables beyond a niche luxury gadget.

Summary: Apple will launch the iPhone Ultra, its first foldable smartphone, featuring a large internal screen, Touch ID, and a $2,000-plus price tag. The device sacrifices Face ID and telephoto camera capabilities to maintain a slim design and aims to challenge competitors in the niche foldable market segment.