Apple is preparing to join the foldable smartphone market with the anticipated iPhone Fold, also known as the iPhone Ultra, which is scheduled to be released with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max versions later this year. While specifics remain unknown, rumours claim that the iPhone Fold’s hinge will be made using 3D printing technology. The iPhone 18 Pro series is also generating buzz, with plans for new colours, improved performance, and a competitive price as it prepares for release in India and across the globe.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be unveiled by Apple in September 2026, the same month as a new iPhone fold model is expected to be released. The cost of the iPhone 18 Pro models is expected to be similar to that of the iPhone 17 Pro, which is available at Rs 1,34,900 in India, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is priced at Rs 1,49,900, despite the fact that accurate pricing information has not been confirmed. This information lays the groundwork for Apple’s sustained innovation and aggressive pricing approach in the smartphone industry. However, keep in mind that the entry-level iPhone 18 may not debut with the Pro versions; instead, it could arrive in early 2027.
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iPhone Fold / iPhone Ultra
In an effort to solve crease-related problems and enhance the endurance of the display and hinge, Apple has been looking into a 3D printed design for the hinge of the upcoming iPhone Fold. The designs of products like the Apple Watch and iPhone Air reflect the tech giant’s earlier expertise with 3D printing. This information originates from a source, Fixed Focus Digital’s Weibo post, which suggests that using 3D printed materials might lessen the appearance of creases. Additionally, there are rumours that the iPhone Fold will have a dual-layer construction with UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) and UFG (Ultra Flexible Glass), which should improve durability by avoiding direct contact between the hinge and the display.
Given the high market demand and the planned release of the foldable iPhone in late 2026, Apple is expected to acquire up to 20 million foldable panels from Samsung Display.
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iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
There are rumours that the new iPhone 18 Pro versions will have some cool new features as Apple gets ready to mark its 50th anniversary. The design is likely to be similar to that of the iPhone 17 Pro, but it will switch to a single aluminium unibody with a glass backplate. It may also come in a deep red or burgundy colour.
The sizes of the displays are expected to keep the same, with the iPhone 18 Pro having a 6.3-inch screen and the Pro Max having a 6.9-inch screen. Both versions will probably use OLED screens with ProMotion technology, which lets them refresh at speeds of up to 120Hz. Also, the Dynamic Island feature could become 35% smaller since the Face ID part will be moved below the screen. The expected A20 Pro chipset, which is built on a 2nm technology, may power these devices. It may offer better performance and efficiency than the A19 Pro utilised in the previous generations.
Also Read: Microsoft introduced new MAI models, improving performance
With the introduction of iOS 27, Apple is getting ready to show off a new and improved version of Siri. Apple and Google have made a big billion-dollar deal that will let this new Siri use Google’s Gemini models. The iPhone 18 Pro users may look forward to better Apple Intelligence features, which will make it less important to use third-party chatbots like ChatGPT to answer complex queries. Apple also plans to turn Siri into a chatbot like ChatGPT and Gemini in the coming years.
The camera array is expected to keep its three 48-megapixel lenses, and the main sensor is likely to include a variable aperture, which will improve control and performance in low light. The front-facing camera could still use the 18-megapixel centre-stage sensor from the previous iteration.
Also, improvements are anticipated with the addition of an in-house C2 modem that will improve 5G and LTE connections, as well as a new N2 chip that will make wireless performance better. The battery capacity of the iPhone 18 Pro Max might go up a little bit, to around 5,100–5,200mAh, which is more than the 5,088mAh in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
