Compare O2 iPhone Ultra deals ahead of Apple's first-ever foldable iPhone, expected alongside the iPhone 18 range in September 2026 — including the rumoured price, what makes it different from a regular iPhone, and whether it's worth the premium.
In short: Previously referred to under the placeholder name "iPhone Fold", Apple's debut foldable has reportedly settled on the iPhone Ultra as its likely branding. Expected alongside the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on or around 8–9 September 2026, it opens up into a tablet-style inner screen roughly the size of an iPad mini, with iOS 27 adding side-by-side multitasking exclusive to this model. It's tipped to trade some camera capability and Face ID for a fingerprint sensor and a genuinely new form factor — at a rumoured price of around $2,500, making it comfortably Apple's most expensive phone ever. Nothing is confirmed; treat every detail below as leak-based.
O2 iPhone Ultra deals will appear on this page as soon as the network lists them. In the meantime, here's what the leaks say, how it stacks up against the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and what to weigh up before committing to Apple's first fold.
1. When is the iPhone Ultra coming out?
Current reporting suggests Apple intends to reveal its foldable at the same September event as the rest of the iPhone 18 range, most likely 8 or 9 September 2026 — following Apple's usual pattern of a keynote on the first Tuesday or Wednesday after the early-September holiday period. Some reports leave open the possibility that the foldable could arrive slightly later than the rest of the range if production runs into last-minute issues, though a same-day reveal alongside the iPhone 18 Pro Max remains the more likely scenario.
Given Apple's history of limited early supply for genuinely new form factors, expect availability to be tighter than a standard iPhone launch, with resale prices on secondary marketplaces likely to run above retail for the first few weeks.
2. How much will the iPhone Ultra cost on O2?
Reports suggest Apple's foldable could launch at around $2,500 in the US — roughly $500 more than Samsung's current Galaxy Z Fold, and a substantial step up even from the iPhone 18 Pro Max's own expected price rise. Converted and adjusted for UK pricing conventions, that points to a starting price comfortably north of £2,000 once announced.
On an O2 contract, a phone at this price point makes the choice between 24 and 36-month terms particularly important, since spreading the cost over the longer term meaningfully reduces the monthly outlay. Given the likely limited initial stock, early O2 iPhone Ultra deals may also carry stricter upgrade or trade-in conditions than usual — worth checking carefully before you commit.
3. iPhone Ultra specs: what's rumoured
| Specification | iPhone Ultra (rumoured) |
|---|---|
| Form factor | Book-style foldable, iPad mini-sized inner screen when open |
| Outer screen | Regular smartphone-sized display when closed |
| Cameras | Two rear lenses (no dedicated telephoto) |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint sensor (Touch ID), not Face ID |
| Battery | Estimated 5,000–5,500mAh |
| Cooling | Same vapor chamber system as the standard range |
| Software | iOS 27 with foldable-specific multitasking |
A genuinely new shape for iPhone
Unlike every other model in the range, the iPhone Ultra is expected to fold shut into a familiar smartphone-sized device, then open to reveal a much larger internal display — similar in concept to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold or the OnePlus Open. Apple is reportedly adapting iOS 27 specifically for this model, adding iPad-style side-by-side app layouts exclusive to the Ultra to make use of the extra screen space for genuine multitasking.
Touch ID makes a comeback
Perhaps the most surprising rumoured change is a return to a fingerprint sensor for unlocking the phone, rather than Face ID. Reports suggest Apple's engineers concluded that fitting Face ID's depth-sensing hardware into a foldable's thin frame was too difficult to solve in this first generation, making Touch ID the pragmatic choice — at least until a future model. Regular glove-wearers may find this a slightly fiddlier way to unlock the phone than Face ID, though many users may barely notice the difference day to day.
A camera trade-off
Design leaks point to just two rear cameras on the Ultra, missing the dedicated telephoto lens that the Pro and Pro Max models carry. That's likely to mean noticeably weaker long-range zoom performance than the Pro Max, even if the two shared lenses perform well for everyday photography. For anyone whose priority is having the strongest possible camera system, the Pro Max looks set to remain the better choice.
Battery and cooling
Foldable phones have historically struggled with battery life, thanks to the combination of a larger screen and less internal space for the cell. Early estimates for the iPhone Ultra point to somewhere between 5,000mAh and 5,500mAh — a solid capacity on paper, though it remains to be seen how it holds up against the demands of a much bigger internal display. Apple is reportedly using the same vapor chamber cooling system across the whole iPhone 18 range, including the Ultra.
4. iPhone Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which should you choose?
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Traditional single-screen | Book-style foldable |
| Cameras | Triple lens with telephoto | Dual lens, no telephoto |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Touch ID (fingerprint) |
| Starting price | ~$1,399 | ~$2,500 |
| Best for | Photography, familiar experience | Multitasking, big-screen productivity |
If photography quality and a familiar way of unlocking your phone matter most, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the safer, considerably cheaper choice. If you want the novelty and productivity of a genuinely bigger screen you can fold away in your pocket, and don't mind paying a substantial early-adopter premium, the Ultra is the one to watch.
5. Why buy the iPhone Ultra on O2?
A phone this size and price benefits from a reliable network underneath it, and O2's UK-wide 5G coverage should make the most of the Ultra's multitasking and streaming capabilities. Every new iPhone contract on O2 includes O2 Priority, adding early ticket access and dining perks on top of your plan. Given the high price point and likely limited initial stock, it's worth contacting O2 directly about pre-order registration as soon as the Ultra is officially confirmed, rather than waiting until launch day.
6. What to expect from O2 iPhone Ultra deals at launch
- Expect limited stock in the first weeks given this is a brand-new form factor for Apple, so pre-ordering promptly is likely to matter more than usual.
- Trade-in values on high-end current iPhones could help offset the Ultra's steep asking price if you're upgrading from a Pro or Pro Max.
- Resale demand on the secondary market is likely to run high initially, similar to other first-generation foldables from rival manufacturers.
7. Should you wait, or buy an iPhone 18 Pro Max instead?
For most people, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will likely remain the more sensible choice — a proven form factor, a stronger camera system, and a price that, while still rising, sits well below the Ultra's rumoured cost. The Ultra makes most sense if you specifically want the novelty and productivity of a foldable screen and are comfortable paying a significant premium for a first-generation device.
Compare the iPhone 18 Pro Max on O2 → for Apple's traditional flagship, or see the standard iPhone 18 if you're after better value.
8. iPhone Ultra FAQs
When is the iPhone Ultra coming out?
Most likely alongside the rest of the iPhone 18 range around 8–9 September 2026, though a slightly later date isn't ruled out.
How much will the iPhone Ultra cost?
Reports point to a US starting price of around $2,500, making it Apple's most expensive phone to date. UK pricing hasn't been confirmed.
Does the iPhone Ultra have Face ID?
Current leaks suggest it uses a fingerprint sensor (Touch ID) instead, due to the challenge of fitting Face ID hardware into a folding design.
Is the camera as good as the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
Leaks point to just two rear cameras with no dedicated telephoto lens, suggesting weaker zoom performance than the Pro Max's triple-camera system.
Should I buy the iPhone Ultra or the iPhone 18 Pro Max?
If photography and value matter most, the Pro Max is the safer choice. If you want a genuinely new foldable format and don't mind the premium, the Ultra is worth the wait.
Everything on this page is based on leaks and rumour and will be updated as Apple confirms official details.
