Apple’s first foldable iPhone has yet to officially arrive, but the company is reportedly already looking ahead to its next-generation foldable devices.
According to Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple is planning at least two successors to its first foldable iPhone, with a particularly notable display upgrade reportedly coming with the third-generation model.
iPhone Ultra 3 could feature larger screens
Gurman, writing in his Power On newsletter, claims that the iPhone Ultra 3, expected to arrive in 2028, will feature larger displays on both the outside and inside of the device.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is currently expected to feature a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch internal screen. While those sizes would provide plenty of screen real estate, they are somewhat smaller than those found on some competing foldable phones.
A larger display on the iPhone Ultra 3 could therefore give Apple a stronger position in an increasingly competitive foldable market.
Interestingly, Samsung’s latest foldable models are not necessarily significantly larger. The Galaxy Z Fold 8, for example, is reportedly expected to feature a 7.6-inch main display, meaning Apple’s first foldable could already be competitive in terms of screen size.
Apple reportedly planning multiple foldable generations
Apple is apparently committed to developing the foldable iPhone beyond its first generation, despite uncertainty over how consumers will respond to the new form factor.
The second-generation iPhone Ultra, expected next year, is reportedly set to receive relatively modest hardware improvements. The more substantial display changes are expected to arrive with the third-generation model in 2028.
That suggests Apple may already have a longer-term strategy for establishing its foldable iPhone as a major product line rather than treating the first model as a one-off experiment.
Foldable phones enter a new phase
Apple’s arrival in the foldable smartphone market could significantly increase mainstream interest in the category, particularly in the US.
Consumers already have a growing selection of foldable devices from Samsung and other manufacturers, while improvements in hinge technology and display crease reduction are gradually addressing some of the biggest complaints surrounding foldable phones.
Apple’s entry could further intensify competition and encourage manufacturers to accelerate innovation in areas such as durability, display technology and device design.
Apple may be late, but competition could benefit consumers
Apple has taken considerably longer than many of its rivals to enter the foldable smartphone market. The company also reportedly hasn't completely eliminated the visible crease from its foldable display.
Nevertheless, its entry could prove significant for the wider industry.
With Apple now apparently preparing not only its first foldable iPhone but also future generations, Samsung and other manufacturers may face even greater pressure to improve their own foldable devices.
For consumers, that competition could ultimately mean better designs, more capable hardware and fewer compromises from foldable smartphones in the years ahead.