New computer-generated images detail the possible appearance of Apple’s long-awaited flexible smartphone, revealing engineering choices that promise to shake up the technology market. The model, provisionally called iPhone Ultra, appeared in an in-depth video on the specialized channel fpt., led by analyst Jon Prosser. The video material highlights a project focused on minimum thickness, refined edges and an internal screen almost free of visible ripples. The early reveal breaks the brand’s traditional secrecy and offers a clear glimpse of how the Cupertino giant plans to face Asian competition.
The expectation of the financial and technology market is that the device will inaugurate the American manufacturer’s participation in the book format device segment, a niche that grows annually in revenue. The leaked project points to a simultaneous launch with the future iPhone 18 line Pro, scheduled to hit stores in September 2026. The renderings indicate that the company prioritized internal space to accommodate high-capacity components, even altering traditional biometric systems to make the unprecedented format viable. The movement shows a change in the brand’s stance, which preferred to wait for flexible screens to mature before presenting its own solution to consumers.
Hinge engineering and overcoming physical barriers
The big challenge for flexible device manufacturers has always been the visible brand in the center of the panel, but the new proposal from Apple seems to overcome this obstacle with an innovative mechanical architecture. The equipment’s hinge uses a liquid metal alloy combined with 3D printed precision structural parts, which guarantees greater durability to the daily opening and closing mechanism. Essa choice of cutting-edge materials allows the depth of the central crease to reach just 0.15 millimeters, a value considerably lower than that recorded by the main competitors currently available on global shelves. Além Furthermore, engineers applied a rigid metal plate just below the main display to distribute the pressure exerted by the fingers during typing and media consumption. The practical result of this complex assembly is a much more uniform and smooth touch surface when the phone is completely open on a table. The flexible internal screen reaches 7.8 inches of useful area, bringing the user experience closer to that of a compact tablet aimed at extreme productivity. On the outside, the user has a 5.5-inch secondary panel, designed to solve quick tasks, check urgent notifications and respond to messages without the need to unfold the main chassis.
The relentless pursuit of a slim profile has resulted in dimensions that draw the attention of industrial design experts. Quando is closed and ready to be stored in your pocket, the device measures around 9.5 millimeters, a thickness that surpasses by a very small margin the 8.75 millimeters of the current iPhone 17 Pro Max. Já in open mode, the structure drastically narrows to just 4.5 millimeters, becoming one of the thinnest options ever designed by the industry of modern telecommunications. Essa Volume reduction does not compromise the user’s firm grip, maintaining the classic ergonomics that define Apple products.
Energy autonomy and adaptations to the security system
Intelligent internal space management brought a direct and long-awaited benefit to the device’s autonomy, allowing the installation of a surprising energy tank. The data leaked by the analyst points to a battery with a total capacity of 5,800 mAh, built with very high density cells to fit perfectly into the reduced chassis. Esse absolute number represents the largest charging volume ever implemented in a phone from the brand to date, easily surpassing the models in the Max line. The generous energy reserve serves precisely to compensate for the high consumption generated by the constant lighting of the large internal panel during video and game playback.
However, the construction of the folding chassis required notable sacrifices in other technological areas consolidated by the manufacturer over recent years. The complex sensor array of the Face ID, responsible for secure three-dimensional facial recognition, did not find adequate physical space in the new ultra-thin structure of the internal screen. Como practical and immediate solution, the project marks the triumphant return of the Touch ID, which now operates directly integrated into the chassis’ side power button. Esse strategic positioning ensures that the owner can unlock the operating system with the same ease and speed, regardless of whether the equipment is folded in a pocket or open on the work table. The adaptation shows that engineering had to make logical concessions to deliver a clean and functional design.
Photographic Settings and Raw Processing Power
The rear photographic module adopts a more restrained approach compared to devices aimed exclusively at professional photography, leaving aside the long-range telephoto sensor. The main capture set is made up of two distinct 48-megapixel lenses, harmoniously divided between a standard wide-angle camera and an ultra-wide-angle camera for wide scenes. Para selfies and work video calls, the company’s internal tests also evaluate two different front design possibilities. One of the test versions includes a traditional small hole in the top left corner of the screen, while the bolder alternative tries to hide the lens under the pixels of the flexible display.
The engine responsible for managing all these hardware and software functions will be the unprecedented A20 Pro processor, developed with state-of-the-art lithography to maximize thermal efficiency without overheating the fine structure. The chip will work together with 12 GB of RAM, ensuring absolute fluidity when switching heavy applications between the two operating system screens. Global connectivity will be handled by the C2 modem, a proprietary part designed from scratch to optimize signal reception from high-speed mobile networks anywhere in the world. Para to make the leaked project easier to understand, below are the main numbers that define the physical architecture of the future release:
- Compact external panel with 5.5 inches of visible area for quick use.
- Flexible internal display reaching 7.8 inches of total expansion.
- Closed structural profile measuring exactly 9.5 millimeters thick.
- Completely open structure with a minimum thickness of 4.5 millimeters.
- High-density battery module with 5,800 mAh of energy capacity.
Impact on the telephone market and launch expectations
The arrival of the model Ultra represents a fundamental strategic move for the American company, which until then had only observed the aggressive advance of Asian rivals in the niche of high-cost transformable cell phones. The book format provides a double versatility much sought after by professionals, functioning as a regular telephone when traveling on the streets and as a portable workstation in controlled environments. Essa smooth transition between different modes of use directly targets a demanding corporate audience and brand enthusiasts willing to invest heavily in cutting-edge technologies. The success of this venture could redefine the consumption pattern of premium devices in the coming years.
Although the video leaks provide a detailed visual overview of the hardware, the final product still goes through rigorous development phases and durability tests in the company’s closed laboratories. Detalhes crucial for the end consumer, such as the official launch price and the available color palette, remain kept under strong industrial secrecy. The manufacturer usually maintains absolute silence about its long-term projects until the exact moment to display them on the illuminated stage of its annual press conferences. Financial sector analysts monitor each new rumor with increased attention, evaluating the impact of innovations on the company’s shares. The commercial acceptance of this specific device will dictate the design direction of the entire mobile equipment industry for the next decade, consolidating the era of foldable screens once and for all.
