Apple Introduces iPhone Ultra: The Debut of the First Foldable iPhone Starting at $2,000
Apple’s much-anticipated “Surprise and Shine” event is taking place today, September 9, 2026, at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino. This event is set to be one of the most significant product launches in Apple’s history. The star of the show is the company’s first-ever foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra. In addition, the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are also being unveiled.
The iPhone Ultra boasts a book-style design with a 5.5-inch outer OLED display and a larger 7.8-inch inner OLED display when unfolded. It’s speculated to feature a titanium frame, a virtually crease-free display, Touch ID integrated into the power button, and a dual rear camera system. The starting price is projected to be around $2,000, making it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released.
All three new iPhones are powered by Apple’s latest A20 Pro chip, built on a 2nm process, promising significant speed and efficiency improvements. The iPhone 18 Pro models come with upgrades such as a new variable-aperture camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, and Apple’s proprietary C2 cellular modem. Interestingly, a standard iPhone 18 will not be released this fall. Instead, Apple is reportedly dividing its lineup and planning to launch the base iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 in spring 2027. This event also marks the first major product launch under the new Apple CEO, John Ternus, who succeeded Tim Cook on September 1.