Compare iD Mobile iPhone Ultra deals ahead of Apple's first-ever foldable iPhone, including expected pricing well above the Pro Max, a fold-out iPad mini-style screen, and why iD Mobile is worth comparing once contracts go live.
In short: The iPhone Ultra — previously referred to under the placeholder name "iPhone Fold" — is expected to be Apple's first foldable device, unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max around 8–9 September 2026, though some reports suggest its actual on-sale date could slip later than the rest of the range. It's tipped to open into a screen roughly the size of an iPad mini, use Touch ID instead of Face ID, and carry a starting price rumoured at around $2,500 — making it comfortably the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold. Everything below is based on leaks and analyst reporting, not official confirmation.
iD Mobile deals for the iPhone Ultra will appear on this page automatically once the handset goes on sale. Until then, here's the full rumour picture, how it stacks up against the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and why it's worth comparing iD Mobile against the bigger networks when you're ready to buy.
1. When is the iPhone Ultra coming out?
Apple's foldable is expected to be announced at the same September keynote as the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with the date narrowed to 8 or 9 September 2026 based on the company's consistent pattern of holding its autumn event on the first Tuesday or Wednesday after the US Labor Day holiday. The Wednesday slot is considered more likely, since Apple tends to avoid the day directly after a public holiday for a global press event.
Unlike the Pro and Pro Max, however, some reporting suggests the iPhone Ultra's actual availability could trail the rest of the range, potentially by weeks, given the added manufacturing complexity of a first-generation foldable. Treat the September window as a launch announcement date rather than a guaranteed on-sale date.
2. How much will the iPhone Ultra cost?
Early estimates put the iPhone Ultra's starting price at around $2,500 — roughly $500 more than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and over $1,000 above the rumoured iPhone 18 Pro Max starting price. That would make it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever released by a wide margin, reflecting both the cost of first-generation foldable hardware and Apple's positioning of the device as a premium, low-volume flagship rather than a mass-market phone. Some estimates suggest Apple may only produce in the region of 10 million units in the first year, which could keep availability tight after launch.
Given the premium price and likely limited stock, iD Mobile pay-monthly contracts are worth comparing closely once deals appear, particularly on total cost over the contract term rather than the monthly headline figure alone.
3. iPhone Ultra specs: what's rumoured
| Specification | iPhone Ultra (rumoured) |
|---|---|
| Form factor | Book-style foldable, iPad mini-sized inner screen |
| Biometrics | Touch ID (under-display Face ID reportedly not feasible yet) |
| Rear cameras | Two lenses — no dedicated telephoto |
| Battery | ~5,000–5,500mAh |
| Cooling | Vapour chamber, matching the Pro Max |
| Software | iOS 27 with iPad-style multitasking layouts |
A genuinely new form factor for Apple
The iPhone Ultra is expected to open up like a book, similar in spirit to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 or OnePlus Open — a normal-looking phone on the outside that unfolds into a tablet-sized canvas. Apple is reportedly building dedicated iPad-style layouts into iOS 27 specifically for this device, including side-by-side app views exclusive to the Ultra, to make use of the extra screen real estate for genuine multitasking rather than just a bigger display.
Camera: the biggest compromise
Leaked designs point to just two rear cameras on the iPhone Ultra, missing the telephoto lens found on the Pro and Pro Max. For a phone at this price point, that's a notable gap — long-range shots are likely to fall closer to a standard non-Pro iPhone than a true flagship, even if the two lenses it does have are excellent. If photography is a priority, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to be the stronger choice.
Touch ID makes a comeback
Rather than Face ID, the iPhone Ultra is tipped to bring back Touch ID, last seen on iPhone SE models, reportedly because fitting Face ID's sensor array into a foldable's slim frame proves too difficult in this first generation. Whether that's a downgrade is largely down to personal preference — Touch ID can be quicker for some users, though it may feel like a step backwards for anyone used to Face ID's hands-free unlocking.
Battery and performance
Battery capacity is expected to land between roughly 5,000mAh and 5,500mAh, in the same range as the iPhone 18 Pro Max, addressing a common weak point for foldable phones generally. The Ultra is also tipped to share the Pro Max's vapour chamber cooling system, which should help it avoid the throttling issues seen on some past non-Pro iPhones under sustained load.
4. Why get the iPhone Ultra on iD Mobile?
iD Mobile runs on Three's UK network, and given how premium-priced the Ultra is expected to be, the choice of network matters more than ever for keeping total cost manageable. A few things worth checking:
- 36-month contract terms, which can meaningfully lower the monthly cost on a phone in this price bracket, provided you're comfortable with the longer commitment.
- Total cost over the full term, since a phone this expensive makes upfront cost differences between deals much more significant in cash terms.
- Stock availability, since limited first-year production could mean deals are harder to come by immediately after launch.
- eSIM support, which should carry over from recent iPhone generations.
5. iPhone Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which should you buy?
For most people, the iPhone 18 Pro Max remains the more sensible flagship purchase — a similar chip, a stronger camera set-up thanks to its telephoto lens, and a price that, while still high, sits well below the Ultra's rumoured $2,500 starting point. The Ultra makes sense if you specifically want the multitasking benefits of a larger folding screen and don't mind paying a significant premium, and accepting a weaker camera, for the novelty of Apple's first foldable.
6. iPhone Ultra FAQs
When is the iPhone Ultra coming out?
Likely announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max around 9 September 2026, though actual availability may trail the rest of the range by some weeks.
How much will the iPhone Ultra cost?
Early estimates suggest a starting price around $2,500, making it the most expensive iPhone Apple has released.
Does the iPhone Ultra have Face ID?
No — leaks point to a return of Touch ID instead, as fitting Face ID into the foldable's slim frame is reportedly too difficult in this first generation.
Is the iPhone Ultra's camera as good as the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
Probably not — it's rumoured to have only two rear lenses and no telephoto camera, unlike the Pro Max.
Everything on this page is based on leaks and rumour and will be updated as Apple confirms official details.
