Apple's Future iPhones: A Foldable Design and Higher Prices Expected
Apple is reportedly developing a foldable iPhone, unofficially referred to as the iPhone Ultra, alongside its regular annual lineup, according to industry sources covering the IFA technology trade show.
At IFA, attendees reportedly had hands-on access to a device closely resembling the rumoured foldable design, though it was described as similar to, rather than confirmed as, the final Apple product. Details about its release date or specifications remain unconfirmed.
Separately, Apple's more conventional upcoming model, the iPhone 18 Pro, is expected to see a price increase, according to reports. Unlike typical price changes tied to new features, this one is reportedly driven by rising component costs across the supply chain.
Specifically, the cost of memory chips, the parts responsible for storing data such as photos, apps and system files, has reportedly risen by as much as 400%. Such a sharp increase in memory pricing would represent a significant cost burden for manufacturers relying on these components.
As a result, industry sources suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could see its retail price rise by roughly $100 compared with the current generation, reflecting the added expense passed down through the supply chain.
In addition to pricing changes, the iPhone 18 Pro is also expected to introduce a mechanical aperture, sometimes referred to as a diaphragm, within its camera system. This component physically adjusts the size of the opening that lets light into the lens, a feature long used in professional and mirrorless cameras but rarely implemented in smartphones.
If accurately reported, the inclusion of a mechanical aperture could meaningfully improve photographic performance, particularly in challenging lighting conditions such as low light or strong backlight, by giving the camera system greater control over exposure.
It is worth noting that none of these developments, the foldable iPhone Ultra, its specifications, the price increase, or the new camera hardware, have been officially confirmed by Apple. The information currently circulating stems from early hands-on encounters at trade events and supply chain reports rather than statements from the company itself.
As is typical ahead of major product cycles, further clarity is expected only once Apple holds an official launch event, at which point pricing, availability and technical details would likely be formally announced.
Vocabulary7 words
- foldable
- able to bend without breaking, like a book
- component
- one part inside a larger machine
- memory chips
- small parts that store data in electronics
- aperture
- the opening that controls light entering a camera
- photographic performance
- how well a camera takes pictures
- supply chain
- the network that makes and delivers parts and products
- trade show
- an event where companies present new products
Quiz
Answer key
1. Rising memory chip costs 2. Control how much light enters the camera lens 3. False
Discussion questions
- Would you be interested in owning a foldable smartphone? Why or why not?
- How do rising component costs, like memory chips, ultimately affect consumers?
- Do you think camera improvements, like a mechanical aperture, are important when choosing a phone?
- Why might companies allow early hands-on access to unreleased products at trade shows?