Apple is about to do something it has never done before: launch a foldable iPhone. The iPhone 18 Pro release date is expected in September 2026, and for the first time ever it will arrive alongside Apple's first foldable — widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra. Here is everything we know about the specs, US price, and launch date, updated for September 2026.
Nothing is official yet. But the leaks this year are unusually consistent, and they paint a clear picture of Apple's most radical iPhone lineup in years. If you are wondering when does the iPhone 18 come out — and whether the foldable is worth the wait — here is the full picture.
The big story: Apple's first foldable iPhone
The headline news is the foldable. Apple has spent years letting Samsung, Google, and Huawei own the folding-phone market. In September 2026, that changes. The device — reported under the names "iPhone Fold" and "iPhone Ultra" — is expected to be a book-style foldable, opening like a small iPad rather than flipping like a clamshell.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman both expect the foldable to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, with a starting price that crosses the $2,000 threshold — making it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold.
iPhone Ultra: rumored specs at a glance
| Feature | What the leaks say |
|---|---|
| Design | Book-style foldable, titanium frame |
| Inner display | ~7.8-inch OLED, 4:3 aspect ratio (iPad mini-like) |
| Cover display | ~5.5-inch OLED |
| Thickness | ~4.5mm open, ~9.5mm folded |
| Chip | A20 Pro (2nm) |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Rear cameras | Dual 48MP (Main + Ultra Wide) |
| Biometrics | Touch ID (side button), no Face ID |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Expected price | ~$1,999 – $2,500 |
Why no Face ID?
One of the most talked-about leaks is that the iPhone Ultra will skip Face ID in favor of a side-button Touch ID. The reasoning: the device is so thin that Apple reportedly could not fit the TrueDepth camera system needed for Face ID. It is the same approach Apple already uses on the iPad Air and iPad mini.
The crease problem
Foldable screens have a visible crease — the fold line in the middle. Reports suggest Apple has invested heavily in the hinge and display to minimize it, targeting a crease far less noticeable than what Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series currently shows. Whether Apple actually pulls this off is one of the biggest questions ahead of launch.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: the flagship upgrade
The iPhone 18 Pro line is the more traditional — but still major — upgrade. The headline change is the chip: the A20 Pro, Apple's first processor built on TSMC's 2nm process. Leaks point to it being up to 18% faster and 30% more power-efficient than the A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro.
- Chip: A20 Pro (2nm)
- RAM: 9GB (some reports say 12GB)
- Front camera: 24MP (up from 18MP)
- Dynamic Island: smaller, with the flood illuminator moved under the display
- Battery (Pro Max): rumored 5,000–5,200mAh
- Software: iOS 27
- Connectivity: eSIM only in the US, C2 modem
- Price: starting around $1,299 (up roughly $200 from last year)
iPhone 18 Pro colors and design
Several leaks have surfaced about the iPhone 18 Pro's finish. Reports point to a refined titanium frame — a continuation of the titanium design introduced on earlier Pro models — with a smaller Dynamic Island thanks to the flood illuminator being moved under the display. The rumored color lineup includes four finishes, though Apple has not confirmed the names or shades.
The design is expected to be an evolution rather than a redesign: thinner bezels, a slightly lighter body, and a more subtle camera bump. The big visual leap this year belongs to the iPhone Ultra, not the Pro.
Battery and charging
Battery life is one of the biggest questions for any flagship, and the leaks point to meaningful gains. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumored to carry a 5,000–5,200mAh cell — up from the ~4,800mAh class of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone Ultra's battery is less certain: early reports suggested 5,400–5,800mAh, while newer supply-chain registrations point to a dual-cell design totaling around 4,883mAh rated capacity. Either way, expect a full-day device, with the A20 Pro's 2nm efficiency helping stretch that further.
Full rumored pricing breakdown
Here is what the leaks suggest for the full 2026 lineup, in US dollars. None of this is confirmed by Apple.
| Model | Rumored starting price |
|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | ~$1,299 (up from $1,099) |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | ~$1,399+ |
| iPhone Ultra (Fold), 256GB | ~$1,999 |
| iPhone Ultra, 512GB | ~$2,199 |
| iPhone Ultra, 1TB | ~$2,399 |
If accurate, the Pro line rises roughly $200 year-over-year, while the iPhone Ultra creates an entirely new price tier above anything Apple has sold before.
iPhone 18 release date: when does it come out?
The iPhone 18 Pro release date is expected to fall in the first half of September 2026. Apple has not confirmed a date, but the pattern is consistent. The Apple event is most likely on September 8 or 9, with pre-orders the following Friday and US retail release about a week later. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max should ship within about a week of the event. The iPhone Ultra, however, may be supply-constrained — some analysts expect limited availability at launch, with broader stock arriving later in 2026 or even early 2027.
| Event | Expected timing (US) |
|---|---|
| Apple event | September 8 or 9, 2026 |
| Pre-orders (Pro models) | Friday, September 12 |
| Release (Pro models) | Friday, September 18 |
| iPhone Ultra availability | Limited at launch; broader stock later |
iPhone Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
Apple enters a market Samsung has been refining for eight generations. Here is how the rumored iPhone Ultra stacks up against Samsung's current foldable:
| Feature | iPhone Ultra (rumored) | Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Inner display | 7.8" | 8" |
| Chip | A20 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Battery | ~5,400–5,800mAh (rumored) | 5,000mAh |
| Starting price | ~$1,999 | $2,099 |
| Generations | 1st | 8th (first Ultra) |
The iPhone Ultra's biggest advantages are expected to be Apple's polish, the A20 Pro's performance, and deeper iOS integration. Its biggest risk is being a first-generation device in a category where durability matters.
Should you buy it — or wait?
Here is our honest take. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are the safe, premium choice — a proven design with a major chip upgrade. The iPhone Ultra is exciting but carries real first-generation risk: no Face ID, no telephoto camera, a $2,000 price tag, and unproven durability.
If you are deciding whether to wait, see our full guide on iPhone 18: wait or buy now? for a deeper breakdown. And if AI features are part of what excites you about the new lineup, check out the biggest AI features announced in August 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When does the iPhone 18 come out?
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to be announced around September 8–9, 2026, with US release roughly a week later. The standard iPhone 18 is rumored to follow in spring 2027.
Is Apple really making a foldable iPhone?
Apple has not confirmed it, but the evidence is overwhelming — supply-chain reports, software references, and consistent leaks from analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman all point to a foldable iPhone launching in September 2026.
How much will the iPhone Ultra cost?
Most estimates put the US starting price between $1,999 and $2,500, with higher storage tiers potentially reaching $3,000. It will be Apple's most expensive iPhone.
Will the iPhone Ultra have Face ID?
No — leaks consistently say it will use a side-button Touch ID instead, because the device is too thin to fit the TrueDepth camera system.
What is the iPhone 18 Pro release date in the US?
Following Apple's usual pattern, expect a September 8–9 announcement, pre-orders that same week, and phones on US shelves around September 18, 2026.
Will the iPhone 18 support eSIM only?
US models are expected to remain eSIM-only, continuing Apple's approach since the iPhone 14, with the new C2 modem handling connectivity.
Bottom line
September 2026 is shaping up to be Apple's biggest launch in years: a major chip upgrade for the iPhone 18 Pro, and the company's long-awaited entry into foldables with the iPhone Ultra. Nothing is official until Apple takes the stage — but the leaks are consistent enough that the smart move is to start deciding now whether you are buying, waiting, or watching from the sidelines.
All specifications above are based on leaks and analyst reports. Apple has not confirmed pricing, specs, or the "iPhone Ultra" name.
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