Apple’s first foldable iPhone, expected to be called “iPhone Ultra,” is set to launch with a noticeably restricted color selection, according to multiple leaks, with sources pointing to just two options and a deliberate avoidance of bold or vibrant finishes for the device.
In February, the Weibo leaker known as “Instant Digital” shared a broader account of the foldable iPhone’s design, describing it with just two color options, with white being the only “confirmed” shade at the time. The leaker did not reveal the second option. Instant Digital revisited its February report earlier this month without revisiting color details, keeping the two-option count intact.
More recently, Macmonde cited a supply chain source to provide new details on the foldable’s color options: a classic silver and white model and an indigo option described as similar to the iPhone 17 Pro’s Deep Blue finish. The same source said the device will offer fewer choices than the iPhone 18 Pro models, without bright or vibrant colors.
This approach is reminiscent of the iPhone Like the foldable iPhone, the iPhone X was a generational leap that introduced an entirely new design language. The iPhone XS that followed a year later added Gold to the lineup, suggesting that Apple might take the same approach with the iPhone Ultra over time.
A limited color offering may also be a practical consequence of the device’s limited production prospects. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo warned that early-stage yield and ramp-up issues could mean shipments may not occur until 2027, with potential shortages lasting at least until the end of 2026. Kuo also clarified that the frequently cited order figure of 15 to 20 million foldable iPhones likely reflects cumulative demand over the entire product life cycle of two to three years, rather than just 2026, which suggests that annual volumes will be modest.
Developing and manufacturing each additional color variant adds complexity and cost to an already difficult production process, as well as additional SKUs to stock. Regardless, with the device expected to be rare at launch, there’s little commercial incentive for Apple to expand the initial color palette. At a starting price that BloombergMark Gurman of , says it will “cross the $2,000 threshold”, the iPhone Ultra is also unlikely to attract the type of buyer who might be swayed by a wider color gamut, making the math even simpler.
The iPhone Ultra is expected to be announced in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.