Apple is widely expected to unveil a substantially revised iPhone 18 family this fall, with high-end models launching before lower-cost variants. Reports point to an iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max arriving at the usual September event, joined by Apple’s first foldable handset, often called the iPhone Ultra.
The foldable is described in leaks as a shorter, chunkier device that opens to roughly 7.8 inches and closes to about 5.5 inches, with a wider 4 by 3 aspect ratio, according to MacRumors reporting and images shared by leakers. Rumors say the Ultra will use Touch ID instead of Face ID, have two rear cameras, and include a titanium and aluminum shell with a liquid metal hinge. Screen supply is expected from Samsung, and a dual‑cell battery around 4,800 to 5,000 milliamp hours has been suggested by Weibo posts cited in reporting.
The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to receive an A20 Pro chip and display upgrades using LTPO+ technology for better efficiency, and a revamped camera system with a variable aperture for the main lens, according to Bloomberg and other leaks. Leakers also point to a smaller Dynamic Island, a simplified Camera Control button, and possible color additions such as light blue and dark cherry. Battery capacities for Pro models differ by region in some reports, with Chinese units cited at about 4,056 mAh and U.S. variants near 4,288 mAh, as reported by Digital Chat Station.
Apple is also rumored to stagger releases. Multiple outlets including MacRumors and Mashable say the standard iPhone 18, a lower‑cost 18e, and an iPhone Air 2 are likely to ship in early spring, rather than alongside the Pro models.
Production Constraints Pricing And Market Impact
Supply and component cost pressures are central to Apple’s plans this cycle. Nikkei reports Apple has asked suppliers to prepare for as many as 10 million foldables, but early stock is expected to be very limited. Leakers say initial shipments could be U.S. only and that producing 10 million foldables may take three to five months.
Memory shortages driving what some outlets call RAMageddon are already raising costs. The Wall Street Journal quoted Apple chief executives noting pressure on pricing, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman predicts the foldable could cross a 2,000 dollar threshold. Analysts and reporting cited by Mashable and 9to5Mac estimate Pro model price increases in the range of one hundred to three hundred dollars over prior generations.
Industry leaks also suggest Apple may raise the minimum storage and RAM for the lineup, with reports of 12 gigabytes standard on many models and base Pro storage starting at 256 gigabytes. Apple’s decision to split releases appears intended to stagger supply and demand, but it will also concentrate higher priced hardware into the traditional September buying season.
