Mark your calendars — Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and its first-ever foldable iPhone are tipped to
make their debut on IO September 2026 at 1am SGT. Here’s everything the rumour mill has uncovered so far.
Foldable iPhone: Apple's First Fold
Apple’s long-rumoured foldable — expected to be called the iPhone Ultra — is tipped to adopt a wide
“passport-style” fold, rather than the taller, narrower shape used by early foldables from other brands.
To tackle the industry’s biggest foldable problem, the hinge and display are rumoured to feature:
A liquid-metal hinge for added durability and crease resistance.
Flexible-glass and adhesive layers aimed at keeping the fold line as close to invisible as possible.
Touch ID built into the side button, replacing Face ID entirely to help keep the device thin.
Cameras: A Split Story Between Models
Camera rumours differ across the lineup:
Foldable iPhone: Reports disagree here — Macworld describes a two-lens rear system with a telephoto, while other outlets report a simpler wide-and-ultrawide pair with no dedicated telephoto. Either way, expect fewer lenses than the Pro models.
iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max: An upgraded main sensor with a variable aperture system — a first for iPhone.
Design & Colours
Foldable iPhone: All-new folding form factor, Apple’s first ever.
iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max: Expected to closely resemble last year’s Pro models, with no major redesign.
New colour: A “Dark Cherry” option for the Pro lineup, likely replacing last year’s Cosmic Orange.
Performance
Chip: A new, more advanced A20 Pro chip, expected to bring a solid boost in speed and battery efficiency over the current model.
RAM: 12GB RAM, matching the current iPhone 17 Pro.
Modem: Apple’s own C2 modem, expected to offer more stable and efficient cellular connectivity.
Battery: A modest bump for the Pro Max — roughly 6-8% more capacity than the current model.
The Bottom Line
From a crease-resistant folding hinge and a shift to Touch ID, to a new A20 Pro chip and Apple’s most capable cameras yet, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and Apple’s first foldable are shaping up to be a genuine leap for the brand. Will Apple’s first fold be worth the hype? Stay tuned for the big reveal on IO September 2026.
Source: HardwareZone, Macworld & MacRumors
