Apple's Foldable iPhone Ultra Dummy Units Reveal Tablet-First Design with Top-Mounted Volume Buttons

Leaked dummy units of Apple's foldable iPhone Ultra reveal a design that prioritizes the tablet experience over phone ergonomics, with volume buttons moved to the top edge and Touch ID returning for the first time since 2018.

Leaker Sonny Dickson shared images in April showing dummy models of the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, providing the clearest look yet at Apple's first foldable. The units represent final-stage design tooling used by accessory manufacturers for case production. The device takes a "passport-style" book shape, wider than it is tall when opened, with a 7.8-inch inner display at an iPad-style 4:3 aspect ratio and a 5.5-inch outer screen. At roughly 4.5mm thick unfolded and around 9.5mm folded, it uses a titanium frame with an aluminum internal structure, according to supply chain reports.

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Apple has placed the volume rocker on the top edge rather than the right side, where competitors like Samsung and Huawei position theirs. It's an unconventional choice that makes sense in tablet mode but forces one-handed users to reach with their pointer finger in phone mode. The power button sits on the right side and doubles as a Touch ID sensor, replacing Face ID entirely, a practical concession to the challenges of fitting face-scanning hardware into an ultra-thin foldable chassis. The camera system is scaled back compared to Apple's Pro lineup: just two rear sensors (a 48MP main and a 48MP ultra-wide) with no telephoto lens, plus two front-facing cameras (one on each display). A dedicated camera control button sits on the device for one-handed shooting.

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Under the hood, leaks point to Apple's A20 Pro chip built on a 2-nanometer process, paired with 12GB of RAM and a new C2 cellular modem, part of Apple's push to replace third-party 5G components with in-house silicon. The software experience will rely on iOS 27 updates supporting side-by-side apps and iPad-inspired layouts, though it will not run iPadOS or offer full desktop windowing.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in 2025 that Apple is using LiquidMetal for hinge components and laser-drilled metal support plates beneath the display to reduce crease visibility. Samsung Display has reportedly developed a near-creaseless OLED panel specifically for Apple's standards.

Apple plans an initial production run of approximately 10 million units, a cautious first batch for a category where competitors have shipped multiple generations. Pricing estimates land at or above $2,000, making it the most expensive iPhone ever. The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 lineup this fall, though some reports flag potential manufacturing delays that could push shipments into late 2026 or early 2027.