This article summarizes expectations for the release timing, price and specifications of the foldable iPhone (iPhone Fold/Ultra), including the outlook for the 9 September announcement event and its availability in Japan. The official announcement has not yet been made, and the name and specifications may change as new information emerges.
Apple has announced plans to hold a new-product launch event on 9 September 2026 local time, which is expected to be 2:00 a.m. on 10 September in Japan. The prevailing view is that the foldable model will be announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, drawing attention to the announcement itself.
The official name has not been finalized, but the theory that “iPhone Ultra” is being used internally is gaining traction, with the names Fold and Ultra currently appearing interchangeably. There have been reports about the name in the past, and market reception may change depending on the final official designation.
The price is expected to be approximately US$2,300–2,500 in the United States and around ¥370,000 in Japan, with the potential for an upward revision due to higher component costs and a weaker yen. Many observers expect it to be the most expensive iPhone ever, exceeding the price of the highest-specification current iPhone models.
Expected specifications include the A20 Pro (2nm), 12GB of RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB of storage, an approximately 7.8-inch inner OLED display, dual 48MP rear cameras, built-in Touch ID and a battery design divided between the left and right sides. The front camera is expected to use a punch-hole design, while the layout is likely to support displaying 2 apps simultaneously.
In Japan, the device is expected to be carried by the 4 major operators—docomo, au, SoftBank and Rakuten Mobile. Whether it is eSIM-only, whether it supports millimeter-wave connectivity and the impact of device-discount programs will be factors in purchase decisions going forward. In the Japanese market, the first-generation model is not expected to be inexpensive compared with the simultaneous launch across 3 carriers, and concerns have also been raised about limited initial inventory.
The differences in operating systems and ecosystems are significant when comparing the foldable iPhone with current Android devices, so whether to wait is expected to depend on each user’s circumstances. There may also be a 3-generation product roadmap and potential future model releases, making it realistic to wait.