Apple’s Foldable ‘iPhone Ultra’ Expected to Feature MagSafe Despite Ultra-Thin Design

As anticipation builds for Apple’s upcoming “Surprise and Shine” event, industry watchers are gaining clarity on one of the most mysterious devices in the company’s pipeline. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the highly anticipated foldable iPhone Ultra will indeed include support for MagSafe charging, putting to rest rumors that the device’s ultra-thin form factor might force the omission of the popular accessory ecosystem.

Overcoming Design Hurdles

The inclusion of MagSafe has been a point of contention among analysts. Earlier reports noted that dummy models of the device lacked a visible MagSafe ring, leading to speculation that the hardware might be too slim to accommodate the technology. At a mere 4.5mm thick when fully open, the device pushes the boundaries of current smartphone engineering.

However, Gurman remains confident, citing the successful implementation of the tech in the thinner iPhone Air. “All indications that I’ve heard is that MagSafe is in for this foldable phone,” Gurman stated in a recent interview with Tom’s Guide. “They were able to get it into the iPhone Air, and I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to get it into the foldable.”

Pushing Technological Boundaries

The iPhone Ultra is shaping up to be a showcase of Apple’s most advanced mobile hardware, though its slim profile comes with certain trade-offs. The device is expected to omit traditional Face ID hardware due to space constraints, likely opting for Touch ID integration instead.

The device is rumored to carry a premium price tag of over $2,000, aimed at early adopters and power users. Key specifications and design details reported by Gurman include:

• Display: A 5.5-inch outer screen paired with a 7.8-inch inner display, featuring a “passport-style” wide design.
• Performance: Powered by the cutting-edge A20 Pro chip and Apple’s latest C2 modem.
• Camera: Equipped with Wide and Ultra Wide lenses, though reports suggest a dedicated telephoto lens will be absent.
• Software: A significant emphasis on adaptive UI, with Apple focusing heavily on ensuring applications transition and resize automatically between the two display states.
• Durability: The device will feature a robust hinge mechanism, with Apple reportedly working to ensure the display crease remains minimal, though perhaps not entirely invisible.

Launch Timeline

While supply chain analysts previously floated the possibility of significant delays, Gurman expects the foldable debut to align closely with the traditional iPhone cycle. Apple is slated to unveil the device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup at its “Surprise and Shine” event on Wednesday, September 9.

“I would be very surprised if the foldable did not come out at the same time as the Pro iPhones, or very close to it,” Gurman added. “This idea of a late October or November launch, or massive supply chain delays, I don’t believe to be the case.”

As the September 9 event approaches, all eyes are on Cupertino to see if the iPhone Ultra can successfully bridge the gap between foldable innovation and the seamless user experience Apple is known for.