Apple has officially confirmed that its annual iPhone event will kick off on September 9 under the tagline "Surprise and Sunshine."

The much-rumored iPhone Ultra will steal all the headlines, but we're also expecting to see the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models as well — the base iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Plus are reportedly making their debut in spring of 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e.

The iPhone 18 series may be a small upgrade over the iPhone 17 lineup, but we are expecting some updates, including to the cameras. Here's what we expect to see:

iPhone 18 Pro cameras

From every report we've read so far, the iPhone 18 Pro should feature the same triple 48MP camera setup as the current Pro models. Those three cameras will cover the main, ultrawide, and 4x telephoto lenses.

Plus, there should be an 18MP Center Stage front camera, the same as the iPhone 17 Pro.

One big change is a Camera Control adjustment. Since being introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro, the Camera Control button has proven controversial. There is no shortage of Reddit threads filled with both praise and criticism of the new button.

However, rumors suggest that Apple is refining it for the 18 Pro by removing its capacitive capabilities but retaining its ability to change settings.

But there is one feature the iPhone 18 Pro might not get.

Only for the iPhone 18 Pro Max

The cameras on the Pro Max version of the iPhone 18 could enjoy at least two advantages over the standard Pro models: a longer zoom and a variable-aperture camera.

Rumors hint at a 6x optical zoom for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, while the Pro model would only feature a 5x zoom.

The bigger change is the rumor that Apple is going to add a variable aperture camera to at least one model this year. This would give you more manual control over the size of the aperture. What that means in practice is that you get better control over the depth of field in your shots, so you should get sharper close-ups and better performance in low-light situations.

However, it's not clear if this will come to both Pro models or just the Max. Some rumor mongers have posited that it will be locked to the Pro Max. The speculation is that the thinner iPhone 18 Pro won't be able to fit the mechanics required for a variable lens.

We'll find out in less than a fortnight. In the meantime, keep Tom's Guide in your tabs, and we'll keep you updated with all the latest Apple news and rumors.

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A new video popped up this week that purports to show off potential final designs for the iPhone 18 Pro Max and foldable iPhone Ultra just nine days before Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event.

The video comes from the tech-focused Unbox Therapy, a YouTube channel that features unboxing and first looks at both official new products and leaked designs and dummy units.

In the video, host Lewis Hilsenteger shows off the high-end Pro Max and the much-rumored foldable iPhone. He also shows off previous dummy units, which include an all-aluminum version and one with faux displays for the Ultra.

Allegedly, the devices he received came from China.

Compared to the previous units Hilsenteger has, the Ultra is more "finished" with an Apple logo, buttons, speakers, and usable buttons. The device doesn't actually turn on, and the folding screen has pronounced creases despite leaks claiming that Apple has largely eliminated the crease.

Otherwise, we can see the passport style, à la the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a two-lens camera array, and a mix of rounded and sharp corners.

iPhone 18 Pro Max revealed

Hilsenteger followed the Ultra with a look at the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The first one he pulled out is in a dark cherry color, which should be the highlight color this year. He also pulled out a metallic blue hue, as well as a silver and a black version.

As expected, the 18 series shouldn't be much different design-wise from the iPhone 17 lineup. It's got the same edge-to-edge camera plateau with multiple lenses and the LED light on the right side.

Similar to the Galaxy S26 Ultra compared to Samsung's foldable, the Pro Max is significantly taller than the folded iPhone Ultra.

As noted by Hilsenteger, these devices appear to be close to finalized, but he hints that he might get more dummy units ahead of the Apple event that could be even more finalized. So slight changes could happen between these revealed units and the final final design.

Apple's September event

Apple has officially announced that its next big event will take place on September 9 at 10 a.m. PT/1:00 p.m. ET. This will be the first event hosted by new CEO John Ternus, as former head Tim Cook stepped down on August 31.

Alongside the iPhones, we expect Apple to announce at least eight new products, including new AirPods, the next-generation Apple Watches, and potentially several new Apple smart home devices.

We also expect an upgraded Siri and AI integration to be a major part of every device discussed next week, since Apple announced Siri AI at WWDC 2026 back in June.

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We're so close to the rumored iPhone Ultra debut that I can practically feel the foldable in my hands. On September 9, Apple is holding its "Surprise and shine" event, and the most exciting device is expected to Apple's first attempt at a foldable smartphone.

One prominent rumor suggested Apple would announce a new Apple Pencil to go with the iPhone Ultra, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says it probably won’t be announced. For potential buyers who want to use the larger phone as an iPad replacement, this might be disappointing, but it hasn't dampened my excitement.

How the Apple Pencil would have worked

If you're curious, the same report that shoots down the arrival of a new Apple Pencil also details how it would have worked if it had launched alongside the phone. According to Gurman, the iPhone Ultra Apple Pencil was set to be “stubbier,” to match the iPhone Ultra's height.

Like an iPad, the report said the Pencil would magnetically attach to the side of the phone for storage and charging. Unlike an iPad, though, attaching it to the side would make holding the giant phone while charging the Pencil a bit more uncomfortable than the iPad, which has the stylus affixed to the top of the device.

Interestingly, Gurman also said the stylus would leave "unsightly marks" on the iPhone Ultra's delicate inner screen, which could be the main reason Apple isn't launching the stylus.

But in the end, the report says Apple isn't launching an Apple Pencil for the iPhone Ultra to avoid conflicting with Steve Jobs’ vision for the original iPhone, which was very anti-stylus.

The future of Ultra and Pencils

This report doesn't mean Apple will never release a stylus for the iPhone Ultra. It just means that the company most likely won't have one ready for launch. Those "unsightly marks" could be a deal-breaker, but it wouldn't shock me if Apple went against Jobs' iPhone vision and released the Apple Pencil if consumer demand is strong enough.

Perhaps Apple will develop a new stylus tip to help prevent marks from forming on the delicate inner display.

Either way, I'm counting down the days until I can get my hands on Apple's latest foldable smartphone. As a longtime iPhone user, I've always looked jealously at Samsung's line of foldables, but I've always said I'd wait for Apple to take a crack at the category.

Now let's just hope the iPhone Ultra lives up to the hype.

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I’ve spent the last few months testing some of the best foldable phones ever made. From Motorola’s impressive first stab at a notebook-style design in the Razr Fold to the thin and light construction of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s focus on content creation, they prove just how much innovation and competition exist in the space.

Yet, despite all their efforts, I always run into the same frustrating wall with these Android-powered devices. I genuinely believe that Apple’s long-rumored iPhone Ultra has a golden opportunity to instantly sweep the competition — and it won’t need to rely on a triple-lens camera setup or an entirely creaseless display to do it.

The killer feature that could crown Apple the undisputed leader of the segment is the exact software hurdle Google and Android manufacturers still haven't cleared: seamless app scaling and truly dynamic layouts. Here’s the proof.

Age of Origins — stretched out look

To be fair, most core native apps are well-optimized for both the inner and outer displays of the foldable phones I’ve tested. Apps like Gmail, Google Calendar, and YouTube dynamically adapt their layouts and scale seamlessly between screens.

However, third-party games tell a completely different story. In Age of Origins, you can see how poorly the interface scales when transitioning between the displays. The result is an aggressively distorted, stretched-out layout that makes playing nearly impossible — and the only way to fix it is by force-closing and restarting the game entirely.

TikTok — black bars and a crop

TikTok is one of the most popular apps around, but my patience is always tested whenever I run it on a foldable. As shown above, the app loads nicely when launched on the outer screen, maintaining the familiar vertical layout of any standard slate phone. But when I unfold the device to view it on the main display, it aggressively adds the video with thick black bars on the left and right — wasting a massive amount of prime screen real estate.

If I take the opposite approach and launch TikTok directly on the main display, the app forces a zoom-crop to fill the entire square aspect ratio. While that eliminates the dead space, it severely cuts off the top and bottom of the video, often hiding essential visual details and on-screen text. Either way, you are left with a compromised experience.

Castlevania Symphony of the Night — even more retro

Lately, I’ve been enjoying some retro gaming thanks to a new MagSafe gaming pad I’ve been using — and the current title I’m pursuing is Castlevania Symphony of the Night.

When I unfold the phone, the game doesn't dynamically expand or scale its rendered canvas to take advantage of the extra real estate. Instead, I get massive black bars flanking the gameplay window, with touch controls floating awkwardly across the letterboxed borders.

Even worse, switching between the outer and inner displays can trigger an aggressive shrink-to-fit behavior, leaving the active game screen stranded in the center surrounded by dead black space on all four sides. For an experience meant to feel expansive, poor aspect ratio scaling makes it feel more cramped than playing on a standard phone.

Apple’s chance to shine

This is where Apple can completely alter the foldable landscape. While Android makers have spent years refining hardware hinges and striving for ultra-thin designs, they’ve consistently struggled to get third-party developers to treat foldable aspect ratios as a priority. Apple, by contrast, enforces stringent guidelines that guarantee unified, responsive app layouts across its entire ecosystem.

By ensuring proper app scaling and dynamic layouts in iOS 27, the iPhone Ultra has the potential to deliver a foldable experience that simply works right out of the box.

Instead of letterboxed retro games, squashed interfaces, or awkwardly cropped video feeds, Apple can offer seamless layout transformations between phone and tablet states. By solving the software continuity and dynamic scaling issues that have eluded Google and its hardware partners for years, Apple wouldn’t just be releasing another foldable — it would establish the gold standard.

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This has been an amazing year for foldables. Now more than ever, fierce competition is forcing phone makers to innovate at a rapid pace. With the iPhone Ultra poised to make its debut at Apple’s upcoming “surprise and shine” event in just over a week, it will no doubt go toe-to-toe against the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

That’s why I’m exploring the iPhone Ultra vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra matchup, breaking down what the latest leaks and rumors reveal about Apple’s upcoming foldable. Then, I’ll detail how it stacks up against what I’ve tested and experienced with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra — all to see which one truly deserves the title of best foldable phone.

A form-factor preference

The first and arguably biggest difference between them is the form factor. While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra sets a high bar with its remarkably thin, lightweight build, ergonomics often come down to aspect ratio. The taller profile of Samsung's foldable line contrasts sharply with the broader, passport-like shape rumored for Apple's debut.

Leaks and renders indicate Apple is embracing a wider footprint for the iPhone Ultra, which fundamentally changes day-to-day usability. When closed, that shorter, stouter profile should make one-handed operation far more comfortable, unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, where reaching the top corners of the cover display remains a stretch. Unfolded, the iPhone Ultra’s rumored 4:3 main screen offers a natural, book-like canvas that excels for split-screen multitasking and reading.

Dimensions will play a major role as well. While Apple is tipped to make the iPhone Ultra roughly 4.8mm thin when unfolded with a weight between 8.1 and 8.5 ounces, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra holds the edge on raw numbers at 4.22mm thin and just 7.8 ounces.

Even so, I’d gladly trade a fraction of a millimeter and a few grams for the iPhone Ultra’s broader silhouette and superior everyday practicality.

Crease-less display: I'll believe it when I see it

Eliminating the display crease has long been the holy grail of foldable engineering. While Samsung has steadily refined the technology with each generation, the seam still persists. Frankly, though, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’s crease doesn't bother me — it has never hindered me from watching videos, multitasking, or running apps.

Rumors suggest Apple is attempting to achieve the impossible with a virtually invisible crease on the iPhone Ultra. If Apple genuinely manages to deliver a completely flat, crease-free panel out of the gate, it would be an engineering triumph that instantly resets industry benchmarks and puts every other foldable maker on notice.

Still, I can’t help questioning the physics of bending ultra-thin glass thousands of times without wear and tear eventually leaving a trace. More importantly, the practical reality is that absolute perfection simply isn't necessary.

Samsung has refined the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’s hinge and teardrop display structure so effectively that its shallow crease disappears when viewing the screen straight on. Sure, I can still feel a subtle dip under my finger or catch a stray reflection off-axis, but in everyday use, it’s far from a deal breaker.

If Apple pulls off a miracle, kudos to them —but for most buyers, living with a minor crease is hardly a sacrifice.

Camera versatility

When it comes to cameras, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra holds the upper hand in both hardware and software. Leaks strongly suggest the iPhone Ultra will settle for a dual-camera system — a 48MP main sensor paired with a 48MP ultrawide — leaving out a dedicated telephoto lens entirely.

I know first-hand that Apple’s computational photography and color science are stellar. Time after time in my photo shootouts, iPhones prove to be front leading contenders for the best camera phone title. For effortless point-and-shoot reliability, Apple rarely misses.

However, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra offers the sheer versatility that serious photographers and mobile creators like me crave. Samsung didn't compromise on hardware, packing a triple-lens system headlined by a massive 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, and a dedicated 10MP 3x telephoto lens.

That optical reach makes a noticeable difference when framing distant subjects without sacrificing clarity — something my colleagues demonstrated clearly in their Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra camera shootout.

Beyond the lenses, Samsung’s software ecosystem provides a deeper roster of creative tools. Features like Horizon Lock keep action shots level during rapid movement, while full Pro Video and Expert RAW modes grant granular manual control over shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. While I have no doubt the iPhone Ultra will capture gorgeous images, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is the clear winner for creative flexibility.

Power and battery

Foldable phones are simply more demanding than your average slab, so performance can’t be shorthanded. I’ve seen how incredibly finessed Samsung’s foldable is with a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy running under the hood. Benchmark performance scores prove it’s already a beast, which puts pressure on Apple to succeed with its rumored, next-gen A20 Pro chip that's supposedly using a 2nm manufacturing process. I don’t doubt that the A20 Pro will give the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 a run for its money, but history has shown me this isn’t a significant buying decision.

What I will say, though, is the class-leading performance of the Z Fold 8 Ultra’s battery life. Packed with a 5,000 mAh battery, it sets a high bar for the iPhone Ultra because the Fold 8 Ultra recorded a time of 14 hours and 33 minutes on Tom’s Guide’s battery drain test. That’s more than 2 hours longer than what we recorded with the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Apple’s reportedly going to lean on a split-battery design totaling around 4,883 mAh. While that capacity is slightly smaller than Samsung's cell, it’ll ultimately come down to Apple’s unmatched silicon efficiency and aggressive iOS background power management could level the playing field.

The true dark horse is the software

While hardware upgrades often grab the headlines, software optimization remains the real battleground for foldables — and it’s where Apple could quietly land a major blow. Even after years of development, Google and Samsung still wrestle with app scaling across irregular foldable aspect ratios.

I know this first-hand from playing some of my favorite games. While a title might scale properly on the cover display, opening the main screen — or simply rotating the device — frequently produces stretched-out layouts that fail to showcase the true benefits of a foldable screen.

If Apple enforces its strict developer guidelines and leverages a familiar iPad-like aspect ratio, the iPhone Ultra could deliver seamless app scaling out of the gate, taking full advantage of every square millimeter.

Still, Samsung has proven that raw productivity remains its top priority. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra effortlessly runs up to four apps simultaneously, while Samsung DeX elevates the hardware into a true desktop-like workstation when connected to an external monitor. It sets a towering standard for mobile productivity — and I'm eager to see whether Apple can counter with a comparable multitasking solution.

Outlook

Price will ultimately be the elephant in the room for this matchup. While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra already commands a staggering $2,099 premium, early leaks and analyst projections suggest the iPhone Ultra could blow past that threshold—potentially landing anywhere between $2,000 and upwards of $2,500. That’s an eye-watering figure that's difficult to stomach for any smartphone, regardless of pedigree.

Yet, if Apple executes on its core hardware and software promises, the iPhone Ultra might just justify that astronomical investment over Samsung’s latest flagship.

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The iPhone 18 Pro Max's launch event is coming up fast, and with it should come all the details on what Apple has planned for this new Max-sized phone. The biggest question most people have isn't just what the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have, but rather what it will offer than the iPhone 17 Pro Max does not.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is an excellent phone, it's actually our pick for the best phone thanks to its design, strong battery life, excellent cameras and some of the best performance in a smartphone. Raising that bar is going to be a challenge, but it seems as though Apple could ensure the success of the iPhone 18 Pro Max compared to its predecessor with these five major upgrades.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Rumored Specs

Variable aperture

The biggest upgrade rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro Max is a variable aperture camera. Multiple other phones have offered adjustable or variable aperture through the years, but it's never actually happened on an iPhone. Essentially this upgrade means that, rather than having a fixed aperture, users would be able to control how much light actually enters the camera.

While it may not mean much for novice photographers, this could enable a way for the iPhone 18 Pro Max's camera to adapt its light intake based on the surrounding conditions. It may also allow experienced photographers even more control over what the camera can do — much like they can with standalone camera equipment.

The cameras themselves are expected to have more or less the same hardware as last year, but the addition of variable aperture could be the thing that helps the 18 Pro Max steal the title of best camera phone from Samsung.

Even bigger batteries

iPhone battery life has made massive improvements over the past several years, but it's still dwarfed by batteries from the likes of OnePlus, Asus and Motorola. So news that the iPhone 18 Pro Max may have an even bigger battery pack this year is quite exciting, especially when you remember that the iPhone 17 Pro Max was already able to last almost 18 hours in our custom battery test.

There are conflicting reports on how large the iPhone 18 Pro Max's battery will actually be. We assume that there will be two variants, with larger batteries afforded to devices that don't have a physical SIM card, but it's unclear what the upper limit will be. Still, reports suggest it could be somewhere between 5,321 mAh and 5,567 mAh.

Whichever way you look at it, that's a huge upgrade compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which topped out at 5,088 mAh in eSIM-only models. Combine that larger power pack with Apple's continual push for efficiency, and you have the makings of a massive increase in battery life.

Under-display Face ID

The long-awaited under-display selfie camera isn't expected to arrive with iPhone 18 Pro Max; that's reportedly being saved for the 10th anniversary iPhone. However, we could still see Apple finally hide the last visible remnants of Face ID below the screen — nine years after the first Face ID-equipped iPhones went on sale.

It's unclear what this might mean for the Dynamic Island. Apple may opt for a hole-punch camera design, which almost every Android phone has used for several years. However there are reports that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will still feature an obvious Dynamic Island pill — albeit one that's smaller than the one on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Regardless of whether Face ID goes fully under the display, we may still see a smaller version of the Dynamic Island pill. This means slightly more screen space on your phone, and less of a black void seemingly doing nothing when your phone is idle.

2nm A20 Pro chipset

Performance has become Apple's bread and butter, and we don't expect that to change with the release of iPhone 18 Pro Max. Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips may have caught up with Apple's A-series, but we can still expect the new A20 Pro chipset to offer a big leap in performance compared to iPhone 17 Pro Max's A19 Pro.

The new chips are widely expected to utilize TSMC's 2nm process. The smaller size compared to the current crop of 3nm chips means higher transistor density, which translates into improved performance and better energy efficiency.

According to reports, we could see an 18% increase in performance compared to the A19 Pro chipset, and a 30% boost in power efficiency. In other words, we can expect a more powerful iPhone that doesn't need as much energy to run — which can only be a good thing for the battery life.

C2 modem

It's not often that you can get excited about a new modem in a phone, but 2026 is full of surprises — and the possible addition of the C2 modem could be quite important. The original C1 was the first modem Apple built in-house, and debuted on the iPhone 16e, which was followed by the C1X modem in iPhone Air and iPhone 17e. However this could be the first time an Apple modem is utilized in a flagship iPhone model.

We don't know a lot about the C2 modem, but the fact it's built and designed by Apple means it should be better optimized for the iPhone system and software. Much like we saw with the A- and M-series chips, this should ensure better performance, while reducing the amount of power the modem draws from the battery.

Or, in other words, it's another thing that could help the iPhone 18 Pro Max increase its battery life even further.

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A casemaker is going viral for a stunt video involving its RhinoShield AirX iPhone case and a 100,000-foot drop from space in which an iPhone 17 Pro survived. The attempt even garnered a Guinness World Record.

The stunt took place when RhinoShield dropped the phone from a high-altitude balloon at 30,607 meters (or 19 miles) above Kiruna, Sweden. The phone didn't have a parachute or any kind of safety net.

The phone fell for 25 minutes through temperatures measuring between -40 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees. It took a recovery team 5 hours to find the phone. Allegedly, it still worked and could make calls and take photos.

Guinness confirmed it with the title of “Highest Drop of a Mobile Phone in a Phone Case (Natural Landforms).” According to the company, it took a year to prep for the drop and they teamed up with a professional aerospace company costing $500,000.

How the case protected the phone

The stunt is fun, but it didn't really need to be done. They could have dropped the phone from a 30-foot-tall tree and achieved the same results.

A smartphone has a relatively low mass, and coupled with high aerodynamic drag, the iPhone hits terminal velocity very early in the drop. After hitting maximum falling speed, the height doesn't really matter anymore.

Plus, the phone landed on a relatively forgiving forest floor with lots of plant life to cushion it even more.

Still, the AirX is built from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) plastic with a 360-degree air-cushion chamber and a three-point compression structure that RhinoShield calls ShockSpread. In a MacTrast review from March, the company claimed that internal testing showed the compression feature could reduce a 4,000-gram impact down to just 775grams. Allegedly, it survived 24,000 tumble impacts without any phone cracking.

If this stunt got you interested, the RhinoShield AirX costs $62 (or over 8,000 cases to recoup the $500,000 stunt price). It should survive your bog-standard daily life drops like parking lots, kids, and even a random fall from a balloon.

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Considering the foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to come with a gargantuan price tag that could start as high as $2,500, I've often asked myself whether people are actually going to buy it. Especially when you remember all the sacrifices you'll need to make compared to something like the iPhone 18 Pro Max. But one expert doesn't think this will stop the iPhone Ultra from being "wildly successful".

Previously we've heard that Apple is aiming to ship 10 million iPhone Ultra units in its first year. It's a lofty goal, but IDC analyst Nabila Popal believes (via Bloomberg) that Apple can hit that target and "rescue that segment of the smartphone market from decline" in the process.

Popal says that "a very elite set of consumers are being targeted" and that those people "will be lining up to buy the device." In fact, IDC believes that the iPhone Ultra will be so successful it will account for 40% of all foldable shipments in 2027.

Those consumers will no doubt include the super rich who can afford to drop $2.5k on a brand new smartphone, but it will also likely include the Apple superfans who are desperate to use a foldable iPhone.

That sounds like a huge jump for a first-time foldable, but you have to remember this is Apple we're talking about. It commands the kind of brand loyalty that you just don't see from other phone makers, and the fact it's attempting to ship 10 million iPhone Ultra units for $2,500 shows the company knows that.

Especially considering Samsung started 2026 with the goal of producing 6.3 million foldable phones — later adding another million Galaxy Z Fold 8 units after positive reception at launch. Bear in mind that Samsung has been in the foldable phone business for almost a decade, is arguably the biggest producer outside of China and just released three new foldable models.

The fact that Apple is still being predicted to ship 10 million units, and outsell Samsung, is testament to how it's managed to capture the smartphone market. Especially if predictions are correct and the Ultra does manage to reverse a decline in foldable sales.

10 million units isn't actually a lot

The crazy thing is that 10 million units pales in comparison to the number of non-foldable iPhones Apple manages to sell. Apple doesn't reveal the exact number of units sold, but analyst estimates suggest Apple is targeting 85 million new iPhones for the latter half of this year — including 70 million iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Maxes.

10 million iPhone Ultras almost feels like a conservative goal in contrast to the non-foldable iPhones that are due to be announced.

That relatively low figure may also play into reports that the iPhone Ultra will be hard to find. There have been multiple claims that the Ultra will be in high demand, despite the extreme price tag. When you factor in trade-ins, payment plans and the people willing to spend whatever it takes to have the next must-have device, that isn't a huge surprise.

But at the same time there have been reports that Apple may not be able to produce enough iPhone Ultras to satisfy demand. One such report claimed that Apple may only have somewhere between 0.5 and 1 million units ready to go, which is a fraction of that 10 million goal.

While we still don't know whether that will be the case, there should come a point where supply and demand normalize. In other words, don't go paying even more money to scalpers, because you're too impatient to wait a few weeks or months for your own iPhone Ultra.

Though that may be easier said than done if reports that Apple could stagger the global release are true. That means American buyers may get first dibs at the device, followed by other regions around the world — including China, Australia, the U.K. and parts of Europe.

Thankfully we don't have that long to wait to see what's going on with the iPhone Ultra. Apple has confirmed it will host the next iPhone launch event on September 9, and with it should come a smorgasbord of details about its first foldable.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra — 11 things you need to know about the foldable iPhone ahead of the Apple Event
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The iPhone Ultra will easily be the star of the Apple September 9 event, eclipsing the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. That’s because this device will be Apple’s first foldable phone, launching several years after the Android competition.

Apple hopes to stand out in several ways, including software and apps that are fully optimized for the foldable experience, a display that’s nearly crease free, and the first 2nm chip in a phone. But it’s expected to have some trade-offs, too. Here’s everything you need to know about the iPhone Ultra.

It’s the thinnest iPhone ever

You thought the iPhone Air was thin? That phone measures 5.6mm, while the iPhone Ultra/Fold is expected to be just 4.5mm thin when open. That would make it the thinnest iPhone ever. The foldable could be 9 to 9.5mm when closed.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is 4.5mm when open and 9.7mm when closed, so the foldable iPhone could be on par with Samsung’s device.

You get a 5.5-inch and 7.8-inch screen

The whole appeal of the iPhone Ultra is that you’ll get a compact device when closed with a wide 5.5-inch display that’s great for using apps, scrolling TikTok and responding to messages.

But when you want a more immersive video and gaming experience you can unfold the phone and get a relatively massive 7.8-inch display. It will have a 4:3 aspect ratio that’s optimized for media, but you’ll be able to flip it around to 3.4 portrait mode for surfing the web and reading.

The crease is nearly invisible

Thanks in part to a Liquid Metal hinge, Apple has reportedly worked very hard to minimize if not eliminate the crease in the middle of the iPhone Ultra display.

As reported by MacRumors, Apple has developed a new material property that makes the crease practically disappear. Apple is also reportedly working with Samsung Display, which collaborated on the Flex Titanium breakthrough on the Fold 8 series to minimize the crease.

The iPhone Ultra design is passport-like but kinda weird

The good news is that the iPhone Ultra should be short and squat and easily slip into a pocket, just like a passport. The bad news is that the look when closed is somewhat odd.

If the leaks are to be believed, the left side of the front will be square and the right side will be rounded off. Also, the front camera might not be centered and instead be located in the top right corner. This asymmetry may irk Apple purists, but we’ll have to see how the final foldable iPhone design looks (and feels).

You get just two rear cameras (and two selfie cams)

Assuming the iPhone Ultra costs over $2,000, there’s a major camera trade-off you need to know about. The foldable is expected to feature just two rear cameras: a wide lens and ultra wide. That means you won’t be getting a telephoto zoom. Early testers of the iPhone Ultra seem to concur that this is a major drawback.

To be fair, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn’t offer an optical zoom either, but there’s something about having just a 10x digital zoom that rubs me the wrong way on such a premium device. Especially since the iPhone 18 Pro Max is tipped for a 6x telephoto.

These are the two iPhone Ultra colors

Initially leakers believed that the iPhone Ultra would come in just silver/white and gray/black. But now based on a parts leak it appears the foldable iPhone could come in indigo instead for the darker color. So basically white and blue.

You’ll get multiple modes and split screen multitasking like iPad mini

The iPhone Ultra is still expected to run iOS 27, but it will offer some key optimizations for Apple’s foldable. The iOS 27 code has already shown that the foldable iPhone will have different modes based on the angle of the display. This would be similar to the Flex Mode on the Galaxy foldable devices.

In addition, apps on the iPhone Ultra will have so-called app adaptability, which means they should be well optimized for the larger display when open. And just like iPadOS, the foldable iPhone should enable you to run two apps side by side.

Touch ID but no Face ID

It looks like there simply won’t be room for the TrueDepth hardware necessary for Face ID on the iPhone Ultra, so Apple is reportedly offering a Touch ID sensor and building it into the side button. This is just like the iPad.

I consider this a bummer, but at least Touch ID is usually consistent and accurate.

It will have Apple’s first 2nm chip

Just like the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, the iPhone Ultra should be powered by the A20 Pro chip. This should be the first-ever chip in a phone using a 2nm manufacturing process, which means Apple can pack more transistors onto the chip.

As a result, the iPhone Ultra should be plenty fast (up to 15 percent faster than the A19 Pro) while also being more efficient (up to 30 percent).

The dual-cell battery should last a long time

While estimates have varied, the latest leaks point to the iPhone Ultra offering a 4,883 mAh split battery. This would be less than the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s rumored 5,567 mAh but comparable to the Fold 8’s 4,800 mAh.

I would expect the iPhone Ultra to last most of the day on a single charge, but we’ll see if it has what it takes to make our best phone battery life list.

The iPhone Ultra price is going to be super high

Foldable phones typically command a premium, but the iPhone Ultra could be the most expensive one yet. Some leakers and analysts say the device will cost at least $2,000 and as much as $2,500.

By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 costs $1,900 and the Fold 8 Ultra $2,100. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is also $1,900. Apple will likely try to ease the sting by promoting its Apple Upgrade leasing program.

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Just as the rumors predicted, Apple’s "surprise and shine" fall event is officially slated for Wednesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. If that sounds slightly unusual, it's because the company has historically favored Tuesdays. However, with the date falling right after Labor Day, pushing it back a day makes complete sense.

Regardless, anticipation is running high for what Apple will reveal at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. While there's plenty of buzz surrounding flagship models like the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, they may be eclipsed by the debut of Apple’s first foldable: the iPhone Ultra.

That’s not all. The keynote has always served as a launchpad for the broader portfolio, including the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and more. Here’s everything we expect to see.

Everything to expect at Apple’s September 9 event

If past events have proven anything, it’s that this keynote will continue to focus on the iPhone. While there’s a strong likelihood we’ll finally see the long-awaited iPhone Ultra, Apple may break from tradition if rumors pan out that the standard iPhone 18 is being pushed to an early 2027 event — potentially alongside an iPhone 18e.

While we already have a sense of what Apple won't announce this fall, here’s everything we do expect to see.

• iPhone Ultra: Apple’s first foldable smartphone is expected to steal the spotlight, featuring a wide passport-style design, dual cameras, the A20 Pro chip, and a crease-free main display.
• iPhone 18 Pro Max: The top-of-the-line flagship is tipped to introduce cutting-edge 2nm A20 Pro silicon alongside a mechanical variable aperture camera, a larger battery pack, and a longer optical zoom.
• iPhone 18 Pro: While it’s the smaller, more compact flagship, you can still expect it to flex its muscles by packing the same high-performance A20 Pro chip, a reduced Dynamic Island, and a 48MP triple-lens camera setup.
• Apple Watch Series 12: Slated to arrive with a more refined, thinner chassis, the Series 12 is expected to debut an updated S12 chip and enhanced health sensors for sleep and recovery.
• Apple Watch Ultra 4: Geared toward endurance athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, the Ultra 4 looks to bring brighter display technology, improved battery endurance, and deeper Siri AI integration.
• iOS 27: The next major OS rollout will arrive with deep Apple Intelligence optimizations, refined visual interfaces for Siri, and perhaps a sneak peek at apps optimized for foldables.
• Apple TV 4K (2026): Rumored to receive a new chip, the updated streaming box should deliver faster navigation and could add an integrated camera for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.
• HomePod mini 2: The compact smart speaker is poised for its first true refresh, featuring an upgraded processor and improved audio performance.
• HomePod Home Hub: Apple’s rumored smart display device is set to blend HomePod-quality audio with an integrated touchscreen, acting as a dedicated command center for the home.

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The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max price leaks have been coming into focus as we get closer to the Apple September event. The broad agreement is that we're due for a price increase on all the models; how much Apple imposes remains to be seen.

Remember, we're talking about just the Pro models here. Apple is rumored to be saving the base model iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Plus for a release next spring, alongside the iPhone Air 2.

Analysts have predicted that, due to the ongoing costs around memory and storage, Apple could start the iPhone 18 Pro pricing at $1,299 or even $1,399. That's a big jump over the $1,099 starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro a year ago. But it may not be as bad as that.

The most recent assessment, coming from Mark Gurman over at Bloomberg, is that Apple will absorb some of the costs and limit the price rise on the handsets to $100 / £100.

Gurman writes: "Apple has reasons not to push too far. A $100 increase would keep the iPhone broadly in Samsung’s pricing territory and avoid the sticker shock of the steeper hikes imposed on some Macs and iPads."

If Gurman is correct, then we would see a starting price of $1,199 / £1,199 for iPhone 18 Pro and $1,299 / £1,299 for iPhone 18 Pro Max. Here's how the pricing change could look, applied across the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max family using the same tiered approach as the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max storage configurations.

A price rise is never something people want to see, but with enough improvements, potential upgraders may be willing to pay the premium. While we won't get a storage jump this year, other improvements are expected to be the inclusion of a variable aperture camera system and performance improvements from the A20 Pro chip.

What's driving the price hikes?

Apple raised prices on several products earlier this year due to the memory shortage caused by the demand for AI data centers. The iPhone remained unaffected, but that's unlikely to change next month. According to a TrendForce report, the company's bill of materials (BOM) has soared for each iPhone it produces and the end isn't yet in sight.

TrendForce reports that the memory's share of the BOM rose about 10% a year ago from the previous generation. But in the last 12 months, it has surged to approximately 34% in the third quarter of 2026. And it's expected to exceed 40% in the first quarter of 2027.

The analysts note that where once the application processor and the display were the most expensive components, it's now the memory. The prediction is that the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro has experienced a BOM 38% higher than the iPhone 17 Pro a year ago.

According to the report, the analysts believe Apple will choose to sacrifice part of its gross profit margin to keep the price increases as low as possible to preserve volume. But they also suggest Apple could raise the prices of older iPhones to try and offset losses — a strategy we've not seen before.

How much are you prepared to pay for a new iPhone? Let me know in the comments box below.

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Your mobile carrier collects location data constantly. It's part of how cellular networks operate. But you actually have more control over what gets shared than you might realize.

Apple built simple privacy settings into iOS specifically for this reason. Most people never find them. I discovered this setting and immediately felt more in control of my personal data.

You can restrict your carrier’s location tracking in under a minute without losing calls or texts. Here's how to do the same thing on your iPhone.

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Weighing an iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro decision figures to be the question that most would-be iPhone upgrades answer when Apple releases its new phones in September. True, we're expecting to see a brand new iPhone Ultra join Apple's phone lineup, but that high-end model may not appeal to everyone, thanks to its folding display and anticipated cost. If you want a more conventional phone, the Pro models will be the way to go, especially with Apple likely to stagger its launches for the iPhone 18 series.

As with past Max vs. Pro debates, you'll be deciding between a bigger, longer-lasting phone and a less expensive, more compact model that offers many of the same features. But rumored iPhone 18 Pro features could throw new wrinkles into the mix that might steer you toward one model over the other.

Apple's latest phones are still a few weeks away from hitting retail shelves, but rumors about the changes to the two Pro models give us a pretty good idea of what to expect. Here's how an iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro comparison shakes down based on the latest news swirling around the upcoming devices.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro: Rumored specifications

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro: Rumored price and release date

If rumors about Apple's iPhone release plans pan out, we won't be waiting long to see what's new with either the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max. We're expecting Apple to hold its annual fall phone launch event on September 9, though the agenda could be less crowded than usual.

That's because a persistent rumor has Apple pushing back the iPhone 18 to a spring 2027 launch, when it will debut alongside the lower-end iPhone 18e. Instead, this upcoming Apple event should focus entirely on the Pro models as well as the new iPhone Ultra.

A less welcome change could involve pricing for both the Pro and Pro Max. With RAM shortages pushing up component costs, Apple has pretty much confirmed you're going to be paying more for an iPhone this year. The exact amount of the iPhone 18 Pro price hike is still unclear, but rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could cost between $1,299 to $1,399, compared to the $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro. Similarly the larger model's price could jump from the iPhone 17 Pro Max's $1,199 starting point to anywhere between $1,399 and $1,499.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro: Design and display

After the iPhone 17 Pro series introduced the camera plateau and a new two-tone look to Apple's higher-end phones, don't expect major changes to the look of the iPhone 18 Pro. That said, both the Max and Pro models are expected to shift away from the two-tone approach to a more unified design this time around.

Similarly, the different screen sizes should remain in place for the 2027 model year — 6.3 inches for the Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max. However, you could find a bit more screen space on both iPhone 18 Pro offerings, as Apple is said to be shrinking the size of the Dynamic Island feature on this year's displays. Specifically, we're looking at a 35% reduction, at least if measurements on iPhone 18 Pro mockups are anything to go by.

That said, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be slightly bigger than its predecessor, thanks to a rumored increase in battery size for the larger of the two Pro models. (We'll get into that rumor a little bit later.) Leaker Ice Universe has suggested the iPhone 18 Pro Max will weigh around 7 grams more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max while increasing thickness by about 0.25mm. Those aren't huge changes, but it could make the difference in bulk between the Max and Pro feel even more stark than before.

Apple tends to use the same colors across its Pro models, so both the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are likely to feature the rumored Dark Cherry and Light Blue options tipped for this year's lineup. Other color options could include silver and dark gray.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro: Cameras

By all accounts, the triple 48MP camera setup on the back of the current Pro models should stay in place for Apple's upcoming phones, but a big change could be brewing this year — and it might be limited to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Rumors suggest Apple is going to add a variable aperture camera to at least one model this year, a feature that would give users more manual control over the size of the aperture. As a result, cameras with a variable aperture offer better control over the depth of field in shots; you would also expect sharper close-ups and better performance in low-light.

It's unclear if the variable aperture camera is headed to both iPhone Pro models, though some rumor mongers believe the feature could be exclusive to the Pro Max. The speculation is that the mechanics required for a variable lens would only fit in a larger phone, ruling out the more slender iPhone 18 Pro.

The cameras on the iPhone 18 Pro Max could enjoy another edge over the standard Pro model — a longer zoom. Rumors point to a 6x optical zoom for the iPhone 18 Pro Max while the Pro makes do with a 5x zoom.

We'll see if these rumored camera differences pan out, but it makes sense from a marketing perspective. Better camera performance would be another reason for iPhone shoppers to pick the pricier Pro Max beyond the larger screen and bigger battery that have distinguished previous models from the standard Pro.

There is one potential change that could affect cameras on both iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple is reportedly scaling back the physical button to address frustrations like users inadvertently launching the camera app.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro: performance and battery rumors

Performance should be similar between the iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro, as both models are expected to feature Apple's new A20 Pro system-on-chip. The A20 is likely to be built on a 2-nanometer process, so it will fit in more transistors than 3-nm A19 powering the current iPhone 17 Pro models. The result should be better performance and lower power consumption.

iPhone 18 Pro performance could also see a boost from Apple's rumored use of a Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module for the A20 Pro. That approach integrates the system-on-chip with the DRAM at the wafer level, leading to more performance and power efficiency improvements ideal for the kind of AI features Apple is so keen on bringing to its devices.

As usual, the big difference between the Pro Max and Pro models will be battery life, as the larger phone simply has more room to include a larger power pack. But Apple reportedly really wants to ramp up the difference with the iPhone 18 Pro Max, as some rumors tip that phone to sport a 5,567 mAh battery. That would be a 9% boost over the size of the iPhone 17 Pro Max's battery.

The iPhone 18 Pro is also tipped to get a bigger battery than its predecessor, though the increase should be more modest. The iPhone 18 Pro's rumored 4,288 mAh battery would be only 1% larger than the 4,252 mAh cell powering the iPhone 17 Pro.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max lasts more than 2 hours longer than the iPhone 17 Pro in our battery tests. Look for that gap to grow with the iPhone 18 Pro series if these rumored battery sizes are accurate.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro: Software and Apple Intelligence

Both the iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro will ship with iOS 27 pre-installed, and there's not much guesswork as to what features the new software will bring to those phones. Apple has already released an iOS 27 beta after previewing the software update this past June at WWDC 2026.

Besides under-the-hood improvements aimed at boosting responsiveness and app launch times, iOS 27 focuses on introducing a much smarter version of Siri, including a dedicated Siri app. The virtual assistant is integrated into more apps, while Siri enjoys greater access to information stored on your device to better understand your context.

That doesn't preclude iPhone 18 Pro-specific software features debuting with the new phones — particularly camera capabilities that could take advantage of the rumored variable aperture. But we wouldn't expect to hear much about those until Apple's rumored September 9 event.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. iPhone 18 Pro: Outlook

Past decisions between the iPhone Pro models have boiled down to whether you want the bigger screen and longer battery life offered by the Pro Max version — and if you can swallow the higher cost. That's likely to continue this year, with a potential twist in just how many extra camera capabilities the iPhone 18 Pro Max has over its smaller counterpart.

Should the iPhone 18 Pro Max be the only model to get that variable aperture feature, it could be the iPhone to get if you put a premium on mobile photography. But the higher price of the Pro Max could make the cheaper iPhone 18 Pro a more attractive buy for users who don't need the longer battery life, bigger screen and more capable cameras likely to be found on the Pro Max.

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Call me old school, but I much prefer playing retro games from classic consoles like the Genesis, SNES, PlayStation 1, and Neo Geo. That’s the main reason I bought a power bank that doubles as a retro handheld over the holidays, but now I’m back to gaming on my phone thanks to MCON.

The company behind it makes some sweet iPhone accessories, like the Snap Grip Wallet, but the MCON Bluetooth Controller is truly in a league of its own compared to other mobile gamepads. Not only does it sport an ingenious, ultra-compact design, but it also differentiates itself by leveraging MagSafe to keep my phone securely mounted. Best of all, it packs all the buttons, triggers, joysticks, and grips needed to feel remarkably like a standard console controller — and you can snag one for $20 off today.

Compact design, easy to stow away

One of my biggest gripes with many Bluetooth gamepads is that they simply aren't designed with mobile in mind. Most look a lot like standard console controllers with clunky phone clips tacked onto them. The MCON Bluetooth Controller, on the other hand, is built from the ground up for on-the-go gaming.

Portability has always been the main bottleneck for mobile setups, but the MCON solves this by folding down into a sleek, self-contained rectangular slab that effortlessly slips into a pocket or the sleeve of a backpack. Looking at the photo above with my iPhone 17 Pro beside it, it shares a nearly identical footprint, just with a slightly thicker chassis.

What makes the design truly clever is its versatility. Rather than locking you into a single configuration, the magnetic MagSafe holder slides out and fully detaches to double as an adjustable kickstand for tabletop play. This magnetic system eliminates the constraints of rigid clamp widths, pairing just as seamlessly with my iPhone 17 Pro as it does with wider, notebook-style foldables like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

Small details go a long way

Beyond its compact form factor, the MCON Bluetooth Controller packs several subtle design choices that solves many more of the issues I have about mobile controllers. First and foremost, I really dig how the extendable side grips can change the way it feels. When I keep them collapsed, its flat profile channels that nostalgic-feel squared-off NES gamepad, while sliding them out instantly provides the deeper grip support and ergonomic contours of a modern controller.

On the connectivity front, multi-device Bluetooth pairing lets me switch smoothly between my devices without constantly unpairing and re-syncing them. And as much as I appreciate the wireless connection, there are just some games — like Resident Evil Village — that are better suited with a direct connection. I can eliminate any worry about latency by just connecting it via USB-C.

The most versatile mobile gaming controller

Whether you’re playing classic retro titles like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night or diving into modern mobile games like Diablo Immortal, the MCON Bluetooth Controller solves the portability headache without sacrificing the ergonomics of a dedicated console gamepad. I think the photo above really sums how much I've enjoyed using it to play classic titles on my phone.

Between its slick MagSafe mounting, adaptable fold-out grips, and reliable wired mode, I’ve quickly retired my dedicated retro gaming handheld and now keep this with me at all times. If you've been waiting for a mobile controller that doesn't feel like an afterthought, you can save $20 on the MCON Bluetooth Controller right now — making it an even easier recommendation.

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This year's Apple September Event is going to be a little different, in that there are only three new iPhones being released. But those three newbies are all premium devices, and that makes deciding between them a much trickier endeavor. With no standard iPhone 18 on the horizon, it's not just a case of picking between the regular and one of two sizes of Pro.

Prospective iPhone users that know they don't want to wait until iPhone 18's early 2027 launch need to decide whether they should stick with a Pro or go Ultra. But what exactly is different between all these new iPhones? Various leaks and rumors show that it's not quite as simple as spotting that one of them folds and the other two don't.

Here's what we know about iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Ultra, and what the differences between all three upcoming iPhones are.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Ultra: Rumored Specs

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Ultra: Price & Availability

Price will be a major sticking point with the next wave of iPhones, due to the fact they're likely to be pretty expensive. iPhones have never been cheap, but the ongoing issues with RAMageddon and skyrocketing memory and storage prices means prices are almost certainly going to be higher than in the past.

Analysts have predicted that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be as much as $200 more expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and if that rings true we could see the starting price rise to $1,399. Even if the price hike isn't that high, I'd be surprised if Apple didn't tack on an extra $100 to both iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. In that instance both phones would start at $1,199 and $1,299, respectively.

iPhone Ultra is expected to be considerably more expensive than a non-folding iPhone, with rumors suggesting we could see a starting price somewhere around $2,400 and $2,500. While we don't have other foldable iPhones to compare this to, that would make the iPhone Ultra the most expensive foldable phone on the market — a title currently held by the $2,099 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

As for availability, we don't expect any significant changes for the iPhone 18 Pros. Apple is a creature of habit, and pre-orders for new numbered iPhones typically begin the same week as the launch event. With the event expected to happen on September 9, that would normally put pre-order day down for Friday September 11. Though it's suspected that Apple will want to avoid the anniversary of 9/11 and open pre-orders a day later on September 12. The actual release day will likely be a the end of the following week, on September 18.

Things aren't quite so simple with the iPhone Ultra, due to various reports that Apple is struggling to produce enough units. No two sources seem to be able to agree on when the phone will actually release, with some saying it'll happen at the same time as iPhone 18 Pro, and others claiming it'll be much later in the year.

One recent report also suggested that a global launch is out of the question for the time being, since Apple may stagger the release schedule in different regions — starting with the U.S. The one thing there does seem to be consensus on is the fact that supply is likely to be limited. But with a price tag that high, it isn't likely that people will be rushing out to buy one.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Ultra: Design & Display

We're not expecting any significant design changes for the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max, which means the two phones will probably look pretty similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max at first glance. In other words we should expect to see the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, alongside the raised camera bar Apple refers to as the "forged plateau."

It's unclear if Apple will do anything to fix the durability issues that affected the iPhone 17 Pro series. Since the phones were made of anodized aluminum, rather than stronger metals like steel or titanium, there were many reports of chips and scuffs on the exterior of the phone.

Multiple Tom's Guide employees were affected by "scratchgate," as it was known, to varying degrees as well. We haven't heard rumors about this yet, though, so I wouldn't expect anything more than token changes to the exterior metal.

That said, we have heard rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be thicker and the heaviest iPhone Apple has ever made, clocking in at 240g/8.47oz. It's not clear why, but it's possible that a switch to stronger and heavier materials could account for some of the extra weight — alongside changes like larger batteries.

The iPhone Ultra, on the other hand, is shaping up to be unlike any iPhone we've seen before. Dummy units show a phone that is shorter and wider than a typical iPhone, and that's just the 5.4-inch cover display. The phone will unfold to reveal a 7.8-inch cover foldable display, which is a similar size and shape to the iPad mini 7.

In contrast to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the Ultra is expected to be ultra-thin and lightweight, with around 4.5mm of thickness when unfolded. That's thinner than the iPhone Air, which already felt like it was impossibly thin. However reports suggest it may weigh a similar amount as the Pro Max, which makes sense when you remember that this is effectively two phones in one.

Apple has apparently focussed on the durability of the Ultra, with an iPhone Air-style body made from titanium. Also rumored is a liquid metal hinge, a structural glass mid-frame and ultra-thin display glass for extra support on the foldable screen. This will also apparently have the added bonus of eliminating the display crease, though we've yet to see whether it's actually invisible or not.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Ultra: Performance

The iPhone Ultra may bear the Ultra moniker, but its performance may not be at the same level. Rumor has it that the foldable may come with an A20 chipset, compared to the A20 Pro on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. However, it will still reportedly still be built on TSMC's 2nm process, which is expected to offer a 15% improvement in speed and 20% boost to efficiency.

The A20 Pro is also expected to be built on the 2nm process, though we don't know as much about the kind of improvements this chip will offer. If past experience tells us anything, we should expect even stronger computing and graphical performance compared to the standard A20 chip. However, we won't know by how much until we actually benchmark all three phones and compare.

We should expect all three to come with 12GB of RAM, which is currently the minimum needed to power some of the more intensive Siri AI features that launched with iOS 27 — including the new dictation and expressive voices.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Ultra: Cameras

We're not expecting any major changes with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max's cameras this year, which means we're likely to see the same trio of 48MP lenses covering the duties of primary, ultrawide and telephoto photography — plus an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera.

However there are still some changes rumored, including the inclusion of variable aperture, and an adjustment to the Camera Control button. Variable aperture would allow iPhone users to adjust the amount of light that enters the camera lens on the fly. It's a feature that we've seen on other cameras, but it would be a first for iPhones — though some rumors suggest that this may be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Various rumors have discussed the possible changes to Camera Control, including tweaking its capacitive capabilities and ditching the current design in favor of a mechanical button. Whether any of those predictions will come true or not isn't clear right now, but it's unlikely that any of those changes will affect the iPhone Ultra as much as they do the iPhone 18 Pro.

The main thing to note about the iPhone Ultra is that it only has two main cameras, which are expected to be 48MP main and ultrawide lenses. The lack of a dedicated telephoto lens is expected to be a point of contention among the die-hard iPhone fans likely to buy this device. Apple does offer limited "optical quality" digital zooming, but that's never going to replace the quality of a standalone zooming lens. Especially not with a 48MP main camera.

We're expecting to see two selfie cameras, both offering 24MP, but it's unclear whether they will utilize a hole-punch design or if they will be hidden under the display. My gut says the former, but renders and dummy units haven't been particularly forthcoming on this point. Don't expect to see Face ID, though, since reports claim Apple is ditching Face ID in favor of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the power button.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Ultra: Battery

Battery size has never been high on Apple's list of priorities, but that hasn't stopped the company offering some of the best phone battery life in recent years. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may take that a little further, by offering even larger batteries than we've seen before: 4,288 mAh and 5,321 mAh respectively.

Admittedly that's a pretty minor increase for the 18 Pro, but it's still a small improvement in overall capacity. Combined with the extra efficiency of the A20 Pro chipset, and inherent optimization between every aspect of iPhone's Apple-made software and hardware we're expecting to see a noticeable boost in battery life.

Those factors will also likely aid the iPhone Ultra, though the larger internal screen will likely eat up more battery life than you'd expect from a non-folding model. That's true of Samsung foldables anyway, with the 5,000 mAh Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra lasting a few hours less than a similar 5,000 mAh battery in the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Reports have suggested we'll see a 4,833 mAh battery, which sits in the middle of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max's rumored battery packs. Though we'll have to wait and see how that might translate into real-world battery life.

Expect all three phones to come with MagSafe wireless charging, as well as varying degrees of fast wired charging — though since Apple is also pretty secretive about charging speeds we may have to wait before we can figure out just how fast each model is.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Ultra: Software

Software is one of the few things that iPhone users don't need to worry about, since the general experience is the same regardless of which kind of phone you use. Often there are exclusive features to the Pro models, though that typically only affects the people who would want to buy the non Pro models like iPhone 18 or iPhone Air 2. I don't see Apple restricting the iPhone Ultra from accessing any premium features without a very good reason.

The software on the iPhone Ultra is going to have to be very different, on account of it essentially being an iPhone and iPad rolled into a single device. This isn't likely to affect the kind of features that are on offer, but it does mean iPhone Ultra's software is going to have to ensure apps can adapt to both screens — and transition whatever you're doing when you switch to a different display.

Likewise it would be a missed opportunity if Apple didn't offer some kind of multitasking capabilities that weren't available (or not as useful) on regular iPhones. Sadly we haven't heard anything about that, so it remains a mystery as to how iPhone Ultra will let users have multiple app windows open at once.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone Ultra: Outtlook

The differences between iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are likely to be (mostly) superficial and based around the differing sizes of both phones. However, the fact that variable aperture may be exclusive to the Pro Max means there may be some things further differentiating the two devices.

However the iPhone Ultra is set to be unlike any other device Apple has produced so far, which throws a wrench into the usual decision-making process. The fact we've never seen a foldable iPhone before means it's difficult to get an idea of what to expect — and how the Ultra will differ from other foldables already on sale.

Choosing between them all is not quite a matter of ticking off the right boxes and seeing which phone fits your needs the best. You're signing up for a very different iPhone experience than most people are used to. It's also worth considering that the Ultra has been nerfed in some key areas, but the benefit of having a larger and more productive screen could help make up for it.

Then again, if you can't justify spending over $2,000 on a brand new smartphone, the point might be totally moot.

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Anticipation is rising for the iPhone Ultra, especially as we near the rumored September 9th event, where we’ll finally get an official look at the upcoming foldable. However, it appears that early testers are sharing what they like about it ahead of the reveal.

Mark Gurman’s latest newsletter is full of praiseworthy tidbits from people who’ve reportedly used the iPhone Ultra. I’m not terribly surprised by this — let’s face it, a new form factor is always intriguing. However, I’m going to be more critical of this device than anything else the company has released, mainly because Apple is late to the game while rival Samsung has been leading and innovating for years.

Here is what these early users are reporting — and my take on their impressions.

Fits in the pocket

It comes as no surprise that early testers love how easily the iPhone Ultra slides into a pocket. Having spent several weeks with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, I completely get the appeal — even if Samsung beat Apple to the punch here.

The iPhone Ultra seems to follow the same playbook, favoring a passport-style aspect ratio over the tall, narrow silhouette typical of most notebook foldables. Thanks to a rumored 5.4- or 5.5-inch cover screen, its squatter, wider frame would feel much more natural to carry every day. And don't get me started on how much easier it is to use one-handed.

Feel and durability of the hinge

As much as phone makers obsess over eliminating display creases, it isn't the biggest factor for me. What stood out from these early impressions is the praise for the hinge's feel and build quality.

This is Apple, so I expect its engineering team to settle for nothing less than perfection. Long-term durability is non-negotiable on a foldable, though to be fair, the industry has come a long way since the clunky, fragile hinges of earlier generations.

Excels as a camera viewfinder

Another standout takeaway from early testers is how well the iPhone Ultra functions as a camera viewfinder. A rumored 7.8-inch main screen provides an enormous canvas for composing shots.

There is a tangible benefit to having that extra screen real estate for mobile photography and video, particularly as my close-up vision isn't what it once was. Having a massive, sharp preview makes framing subjects and checking focus far more forgiving. Even though it’s reportedly going to feature a dual-camera setup that pairs a main and ultrawide sensors, I don’t think the lack of a dedicated telephoto is going to be a deal breaker here.

iPad-like layouts

Finally, what I’m most eager to see in action is how apps actually look and behave on the iPhone Ultra. Because it will feature an aspect ratio unlike any previous iPhone, Apple needs to rethink how interfaces scale across both displays.

If Apple adopts an iPad-style layout, the iPhone Ultra could gain an inherent edge thanks to how intuitive iPadOS is at running multiple apps simultaneously. I fully expect these expanded layouts to optimize every inch of the main screen — nothing would be more frustrating than dealing with wasted space and letterboxing.

The one thing Apple can’t afford not to do

That might be everything early testers love about the iPhone Ultra, but there’s one critical factor that will make or break the experience for me: dynamic app continuity. While the report emphasizes iPad-like layouts, Apple must ensure apps transition seamlessly between screens.

I’m talking about how interfaces adapt when moving from the larger inner display to the compact cover screen, as well as shifting between portrait and landscape orientations. Many of the best foldable phones struggle with this, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, often forcing users to relaunch apps just to trigger the correct layout.

With a rumored starting price of at least $2,000, the iPhone Ultra needs flawless execution if Apple truly wants to bring the foldable form factor to the mainstream.

More from Tom's Guide

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How excited should you be for the iPhone Ultra? Very, if the latest report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is anything to go by, with the reporter declaring the foldable to be "the company's most exciting new product in several years." And it seems that opinion is shared by others — though there is one notable catch.

Gurman has spoken to several people that have already used the foldable iPhone. Those early users praised the phone's pocketability, the durability of the hinge and the iPad-style app layout on the larger foldable screen. However, Gurman notes the lack of a telephoto camera lens could end up costing Apple some sales.

After all, this is a phone that is expected to cost more than $2,000 — possibly as high as $2,500 if some reports are to be believed. As Gurman points out, people who spend that kind of money on a phone are also the kind who want top-of-the-range camera capabilities. In fact, the Venn diagram of those two groups of people "is probably pretty close to a circle."

Sadly, Gurman predicts that the foldable iPhone's camera won't be considered "the best camera system Apple can offer" for at least a couple of years. Which is obviously going to be a sore point for a lot of people, considering Apple's reputation for developing some of the best camera phones.

I have no doubt that the iPhone Ultra's main and ultrawide cameras will be able to produce excellent photos, but the lack of a telephoto lens could potentially be an issue. Apple and other phone makers may offer "optical quality" digital zoom, as well as the software to enhance photos after the fact, but those only go so far.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is a good example of this in action. As we noted in our Z Fold 8 vs Z Fold 8 Ultra photo face-off, the zoomed shots on the Z Fold 8 pale in comparison to the Ultra's dedicated zooming lens. Considering how weak the Z Fold 8 Ultra's zoomed performance is compared to the more powerful Galaxy S26 Ultra, that's hardly a ringing endorsement of a telephoto-free smartphone.

It's not all bad news

As disappointing as it is to not have a dedicated telephoto camera, we won't know how much of a limitation this is until after the iPhone Ultra is released — and we've actually used the cameras for ourselves. In the meantime, it seems like a lot of the other buzz behind the upcoming foldable is pretty positive.

That larger display is apparently excellent for productivity, video and gaming, thanks to the convenience of the foldable tablet-like display. The idea that you can have a traditional smartphone device for most daily use, with the versatility of a larger screen is one of the things foldables excel at, and that should be especially true of the iPhone Ultra.

I would agree, and believe that the dual-purpose nature of the phone is likely to be one of its key selling points among those people that can afford the high price tag. And the fact that this is an iPhone is likely to draw in a lot more eyes that equivalent devices from Android-powered rivals.

Gurman also notes that the inclusion of Touch ID, rather than the more common Face ID, is less of an issue than some people might realize — especially since fingerprint sensors are still employed on Macs and iPads.

The iPhone September Event is expected to happen in little over two weeks, which means we don't have long to wait to find out more about the foldable — and the kind of features Apple is offering with it. In the meantime, though, be sure to check out our iPhone Ultra hub for a rundown on all the latest news and rumors.

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When that dreaded "Storage Almost Full" warning pops up, most of us panic-delete apps or scramble to erase our favorite memories. We assume our devices are bloated simply because we take too many photos or record too many long videos.

However, managing phone capacity is rarely as simple as wiping out your camera roll, and blindly deleting items often fails to free up the space you actually need.

A recent poll of Tom's Guide readers reveals a surprising story about how our devices actually fill up: we are almost evenly divided on what causes the issue.

While 42% of voters blame thousands of photos they refuse to delete, an almost identical 41% are losing space to hidden app cache accumulating in the background.

Meanwhile, forgotten downloads and old games quietly consume the remaining storage. You do not need a brand-new phone with extra gigabytes to solve this problem. You just need to tackle these four storage traps in order. Here's how to do it.

How to reclaim your phone's storage

Protect your iPhone

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My very first smartphone was an iPhone, the humble iPhone 3GS to be precise, but I quickly moved onto Android phones after my initial 2-year plan was over. It's been 15 years since that happened, and every personal phone I've used in the years since has been some kind of Android device.

I've often wondered what it would take for me to make that switch back to iPhone, and with the impending launch of iPhone 18 Pro it's been on my mind more than ever. I'll never say that I won't return to iPhone and iOS, but after all these years there are still things missing from iOS that I wouldn't want to live without.

Here are all the things Apple needs to bring to iPhone 18 Pro to make me even consider switching from Android phones.

Back button navigation

The biggest obstacle between me ditching Android and sticking to an iPhone for the first time in 15 years is the lack of consistent backwards navigation on iOS. Sure, Apple has the left swipe that brings you back in certain situations, but in my experience it's a gamble as to whether it will actually work.

It certainly doesn't work across the entire platform, at which point you're restricted to whatever UI features are available. More often than not those are in the top left corner of the screen, and getting to them is a lot harder than simply swiping from the left side of your screen. This is especially true if you have a larger phone, like the 6.9-inch Pro max iPhones.

It makes navigating on an iPhone an absolute chore, and it's exactly the kind of thing that puts me off using one on a daily basis.

Better File management

The Files app has been available on iPhone for almost a decade now, but the actual file management system is pretty basic in the grand scheme of things. You can access folders and store files on your iPhone, but you're only getting the absolute bare minimum of access.

Android, on the other hand, gives you full access to the entirety of your phone's system files. This can be a bad thing, if you're prone to messing with things you don't understand, but it gives you the freedom to store and access files however you like. Most importantly, it means your apps can too.

I can't tell you the number of times I've forgotten how VLC works on iOS and iPadOS, and that files need to be stored in a specific place and synced correctly. All while the Android version of the app can hunt down every scrap of media on your phone automatically — regardless of where it's kept.

Desktop mode

Desktop mode has been a rarity on a lot of platforms, and it was practically exclusive to Samsung DeX for a long time. But now it's spread to other Android devices, and it's about time Apple took note of this.

Admittedly, desktop mode is not something I use particularly often, but it is a very useful feature to have in a pinch. Plus, your phone is an exceptionally powerful device more capable than some laptops I've owned — so it makes sense that you should be able to put that performance to good use on a larger screen.

Launchers

There's a lot of variety when it comes to Android software, but if none of the stock options appeal to you then you can jazz things up with one of the best Android launchers.

These apps take over your phone, and offer a totally different experience straight from Google Play. There's no need for changing software or tinkering with settings on your phone, and reversing the process is as easy as uninstalling an app.

Apple has come a long way in allowing better customization of iOS in recent years, but we haven't got to the level where launchers are available. Which is a shame, because there doesn't seem to be any major ideological reason why Apple wouldn't allow it.

Sideloading

I know this isn't going to happen, but a guy can dream.

While Google seems to be testing the waters for limiting sideloading, Android's inherent openness is one of the best things about it. The software you use isn't beholden to the whims of a trillion-dollar company, and you have the ability to sideload whatever apps you like — regardless of whether it was approved to be in Google Play or not.

Apple has not been particularly forthcoming with this sort of freedom. The walled garden is ostensibly there for security purposes, but opening up iOS to unapproved installs potentially means ceding control of the iOS platform. Not only would users be able to avoid Apple's rules on what kind of software and content is permissible on iPhone, it would also help developers bypass the fees and commissions associated with the App Store.

Even in the EU, where Apple has been forced to open up to third-party app stores, there are measures in place to avoid offering too much Android-style freedom. Sideloading hasn't been given the green light, and the app stores in question still have to deal with Apple's red tape.

Sure, sideloading does put your device security at risk. But the same is true for installing any software on machines since the dawn of the personal computer. I don't mind security measures to protect from malware and other malicious software, but we don't need a giant company holding our hands and deciding what is or isn't ok.

The one thing Android still needs

Admittedly, Android is far from a perfect ecosystem, especially when you consider the nonsense Google seemed to be trying to pull with sideloading this year. But there is one thing in particular that Google desperately needs to steal from iPhones for Android: desktop connectivity.

The great thing about Apple products is that if you buy into the entire ecosystem, there are a bunch of extra benefits that you wouldn't otherwise get. The links between iPhones and Macs is the thing I'm most envious of, especially thanks to Apple's Handoff feature and the fact it lets you push content from one device to another almost seamlessly.

Granted, Google did have its own ecosystem with some Android support. But if we're being totally honest we know that ChromeOS was not great. There's a reason Googlebooks are coming, running their own version of Android, and we know that they will have better support for multi-device users. But we don't know a lot of the specifics yet, or how well they'll actually work

I'd also like to see closer links between Android and Windows, too. We have QuickShare and Windows Link, which are fine, but having smarter collaborative features would benefit my work and a bunch of other people who have the same Windows/Android device combination as me.

I don't think it's likely, considering that Google and Microsoft would have to collaborate, and the results of that team-up would not be as effective or efficient as a solo endeavor. But I can certainly dream, because I don't plan on buying a Googlebook (or a MacBook) anytime soon.

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Variable apertures might sound unfamiliar to the average person, but they’re not necessarily new in the smartphone world. Still, Apple could make a compelling case for the technology, with rumors hinting that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a mechanical variable-aperture camera.

I remember how Samsung tried to popularize the concept with dual-aperture lenses on the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S10 years ago, before quietly phasing out the hardware in favor of software-driven computational photography. But as mobile sensors have grown larger and computational photography has pushed its physical limits, Apple’s attempt at reviving the feature could yield big rewards.

Apple has already proven it makes some of the best camera phones around, but a physical variable aperture could finally deliver what earlier iterations couldn't. Still, as a videographer, I have my reservations — so I asked professional photographers exactly how a variable-aperture iPhone could be beneficial (or not).

What is a variable aperture and why should you care?

For photographers who use elaborate, dedicated cameras to make a living, picking up a lens means having total control over its aperture ring. Turning that dial expands or contracts the mechanical blades inside the barrel, directly controlling how much light reaches the sensor and how dramatically the background softens.

Smartphone cameras, by contrast, have historically been locked into a single fixed opening, relying almost entirely on computational algorithms and simulated portrait modes to mimic what high-end glass accomplishes naturally.

In layman’s terms, think of the aperture like the iris of a human eye. The size of this opening is measured in f-stops, where a smaller number represents a wider physical opening.

That’s why photographers often recommend shooting “wide open” (dialing down to an f-stop value like f/1.4 or f/1.8) to flood the sensor with light in dim settings, or creating an authentic background blur with portraits. But altering that opening triggers a ripple effect across the entire exposure triangle.

“When we're working, we’re always conscious of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO — us old-timers call it ASA,” explains Ken Braswell, owner of ShoreGrafx. “Photographers know that you control your depth of field with your aperture, and you also can use it to control your shutter speed."

That dynamic balance is precisely what makes variable glass so powerful. By mechanically stopping down to a narrower aperture — represented by higher f-stop numbers like f/8 or f/16 — a shooter restricts incoming light, allowing for slower shutter speeds that can introduce deliberate motion blur to rushing streams or light streaks from passing cars at night.

Just as importantly, a smaller physical opening expands your depth of field, keeping an entire landscape or a group photo razor-sharp from foreground to background without any artificial software artifacts.

Samsung introduced a mechanical dual-aperture system on the Galaxy S9 and S10, allowing the main camera to physically switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4. In low-light environments, the lens opened to f/1.5 to let in maximum ambient light, while daytime landscapes benefited from a shift to f/2.4 to sharpen details across the frame.

However, because the switch was limited to just those two fixed stops on relatively small sensors, the optical differences were subtle for casual users. Apple could shift the landscape entirely by taking a more versatile approach with a true multi-stage variable aperture system.

Real-world benefits

While Apple’s Pro lineup has long relied on a fixed f/1.78 aperture across its 48MP main sensor, rumors point to a major shakeup for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Leaks suggest the variable-aperture system will be an iPhone 18 Pro Max exclusive, leaving the standard iPhone 18 Pro with a fixed aperture.

Another potential incentive to choose the Pro Max over the standard Pro is that it might also feature an extended 6x optical telephoto zoom.

In tricky real-world scenarios, hardware control solves problems that software post-processing and digital trickery simply cannot. “Thanks to presets, face-tuning, and things like Google’s Remix feature, consumers have been spoiled by the benefits of AI and other software wizardry,” said Frank Filiatrault, owner and lead photographer at Curbside Captures. “A variable aperture allows you to not only let in more light, but it also allows you to adjust your photography to incorporate things like bokeh and more creative depth of field without the software after the fact.”

By giving shooters true mechanical control, the iPhone 18 Pro Max wouldn't just be calculating depth maps or masking edges post-shot — it would be capturing the scene optically from the start. It speaks directly to the ongoing "AI versus reality" debate across mobile tech, often highlighted by features like Google’s Pro Res Zoom on Pixel phones. Just take a look at some of the photos I've captured above.

Whether isolating a subject in a dimly lit venue or keeping an entire family crisp in a portrait, having actual blades move behind the glass ensures cleaner light gathering and authentic depth of field that no software patch can replicate.

Think different

No matter how advanced mobile camera sensors become, I can attest that professional photographers aren’t trading in their full-frame bodies or cinema rigs for an iPhone 18 Pro Max. For working pros, smartphones serve a fundamentally different purpose: secondary capture, studio prep, and as Braswell pointed out right from the start, “your best camera is the one you have with you.”

“I’m not going to add anything to my arsenal by having my iPhone having an aperture,” explains Ken Braswell. “I might use it in the studio to document lighting and camera, just to record how my studio setup was. But the intent isn’t for super high-quality images; you’re just trying to document what’s going on.”

Frank Filiatrault echoes that exact sentiment, viewing mobile hardware as a reliable supplement rather than an A-cam successor. “Pros will use it just the same — for BTS content, as a travel vlogging device, for social content, etc.,” Filiatrault notes. “Tide lifts all boats, so to speak.”

Because professional photographers won’t be swayed by mechanical blades alone, Apple faces a different challenge: convincing the average Joe that this hardware leap actually matters. Mainstream consumers don't shop for f-stops, shutter speeds, or sensor crop factors. In fact, I’d be surprised if Apple executives even mention the technical term "aperture" during the keynote.

“I don't think the average person is going to be into it so much,” Braswell admits. “They could be starting something new and bring awareness to aperture to average people, and they might start getting more creative.”

To bridge that gap and avoid the marketing pitfalls Samsung faced years ago, Apple will almost certainly package this hardware under intuitive, consumer-friendly branding — much like it did with FaceTime, AirDrop, and True Tone.

“Thanks to software, we’re getting to a point where sometimes ‘good-enough’ really is good enough,” says Filiatrault. “Folks don’t need to spend more money on the flagship device... What it will do is help inspire another generation of visual storytellers and empower them with better tools.”

I have plenty guesses on what Apple could do to highlight a feature such as this on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Perhaps, it could be used for artistic effects, like somehow offering a long exposure mode where it could switch aperture levels to keep subjects crisp and add motion blur to the background.

By translating complex camera hardware into tangible everyday benefits, Apple won't just sell the iPhone 18 Pro Max as an enthusiast tool — it will reshape how casual shooters understand and use light. In the spirit of Apple’s classic “Think Different” spirit, this new camera system could ultimately inspire an entire generation to shoot differently.

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I’ve always found creating calendar events to be a bit of a chore. Tap the plus icon, fill in the title, tap another field for time, another for location, add invitees, confirm. It's five separate actions for something that should be simple. iOS 27 changes this completely.

Smart Event Details lets you type events the way you actually think about them. You write naturally and Apple Intelligence automatically fills in title, time, location, and invitees. It sounds small, but it's genuinely transformative for how you use Calendar.

How to create smart Calendar events

Open Calendar and tap the plus icon to create a new event. Instead of filling separate fields, type naturally in whatever way makes sense to you.

'Coffee with Sarah at Starbucks downtown Thursday at 5 PM' works. So does 'Meeting with the design team tomorrow morning at 9.' Or 'Birthday dinner at Mario's Italian restaurant Saturday 7 PM with Mom and Dad.'

Apple Intelligence reads what you typed and automatically extracts the event title, date, time, location, and invitees. Everything populates correctly. Review the details and tap Save.

The same natural language feature also works in Reminders: open the app, tap the plus icon, and type your reminder. Apple Intelligence creates the reminder with the correct date and time without you needing to tap separate fields.

Turn it off if you prefer the old way

If you prefer manually filling in each field the traditional way, you can disable it. Go to Settings, Apps, Calendar and toggle off Smart Event Details.

The feature disappears and Calendar goes back to the old interface. You can re-enable it anytime. I'd be surprised if you'd want to turn this off, though. The time saving speaks for itself.

What’s the one feature Apple Calendar is still missing? Drop your wishlist in the comments below!

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We know that Apple's September event is coming, and we know that Apple will announce a bunch of new devices including the likes of iPhone 18 Pro and the foldable iPhone Ultra. But despite the fact that there are likely to be plenty of new reveals at the event, there are plenty of things we're not expecting Apple to announce.

The latest reports suggest Apple has 14 unreleased devices that are still in production. None of the products are particularly surprising to anyone that pays attention to Apple rumors, but there just isn't space to reveal them all next month. In fact, a bunch of them may not even be revealed this year.

So where are all the things you shouldn't expect Apple to announce at the Apple September event

iPhone 18

Despite the fact we are expecting to see the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at the Apple evet, the iPhone 18 is not expected to be on the agenda. Instead the phone is tipped \to launch in early 2027, alongside the iPhone Air 2 and (somewhat bizarrely) the lower-cost iPhone 18e.

It was originally claimed that it was an attempt to "rejuvenate" sales, which suggests Apple may be hoping more people buy the iPhone 18 Pro instead of waiting for the standard model. Whether that will work isn't clear, but regardless of how successful this new plan is it means we shouldn't expect to see more than three iPhones in September.

Camera AirPods

There have been a bunch of rumors about Apple's camera-equipped AirPods Ultra in recent weeks. That includes a demo video that was found hiding in macOS Tahoe 26.7, which suggested that Apple might be preparing to launch these buds soon.

Sadly, that's apparently not the case, with a new report suggesting that supply chain and software challenges are interfering with production.

The AirPods in question are said to feature low-resolution cameras that are designed to feed information to Siri AI. Using that contextual information, Siri can then offer better information based on what's around you. Crucially, these cameras are not designed to be able to take photos or record video.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently posted on X that the AirPods Ultra aren't coming until 2027.

Touchscreen MacBook Pro Ultra

It's been a long time since Apple announced any Mac news alongside new iPhones. Normally, Apple reveals new Mac hardware later in the year, assuming there are any new products that are ready to be announced at all.

It has been almost a year since the launch of the M5 series chips, and rumor has it that the M6 series may not have a particularly long lifespan. So if Apple is planning on releasing M6 Macs, then it's probably going to happen fairly soon — though it's unclear whether the touchscreen MacBook Ultra will be arriving this year.

But don't expect to see them until October at the earliest. Once the dust has settled on the iPhone 18 Pro launch, Apple is likely to go all in on any new Macs that are ready to release.

iPad mini OLED

There's only one iPad that's rumored to be on the way in the near future, and that's the iPad mini's long-awaited OLED refresh. But like Macs, iPads typically get announced separately from iPhones — and usually with a lot less fanfare.

We don't know a whole lot about the upcoming tablet, beyond the fact it's set to have an OLED display panel and is rumored to be arriving at some point in October. Meanwhile, new iPad Air and iPad Pro models are expected to arrive some time in early 2027, which is pretty typical for more premium Apple tablets.

Apple Watch SE

We are expecting to see the Apple Watch series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 at this year's September event. This doesn't mean you should expect to see a new Apple Watch SE. After all, the Apple Watch SE 3 was only released last year, and Apple typically leaves a much larger gap between its lower cost devices.

Don't expect the Apple Watch SE 4 until next year at the earliest, or possibly even 2028.

What will be there?

There won't be a shortage of new reveals at the Apple September event, and the three new iPhones are going to be the stars of the show. We're expecting to see iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max as well as the foldable iPhone Ultra. That'll reportedly be joined by the Apple Watch series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

But that's not all we're expecting to see. Word is that Apple will also unveil a brand new Apple TV 4K streaming box, which is long overdue, alongside a new version of the HomePod mini. Plus, if we're lucky, we may even get to see the long-rumored Apple smart home hub — a product that was reportedly delayed due to the issues upgrading Siri to Siri AI.

More from Tom's Guide

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Like a lot of phone nerds I know, I've been waiting years to see what Apple could do with a foldable phone — and that reality may soon be here with the iPhone Ultra. However, it’s going to take more than just novel engineering and a new form factor to pull me away from its top-of-the-line flagship.

I know a lot of people may face this dilemma next month, if rumors turn out to be true about Apple’s iPhone event happening September 9. That’s why I’m exploring this iPhone Ultra vs. iPhone 18 Pro Max debate to tell you their biggest selling points based on the leaks and rumors.

Clearly, the traditional flagship design isn't broken, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max is poised to deliver all the marquee features I rely on day in and day out: unmatched battery endurance, top-notch camera performance, and relentless reliability. For Apple, though, the iPhone Ultra could finally give the Pro Max its toughest challenge to date.

Real productivity could finally arrive

After testing out many of the best foldable phones, like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Motorola Razr Fold, there’s no denying how the iPhone Ultra presents itself as the ultimate productivity workhorse. It’s tipped to pack a massive 7.8-inch main display that inherently is better suited for getting work done than the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s 6.9-inch screen.

I’m not just referring to how it has an overwhelming size advantage for watching videos, but how that 7.8-inch display could finally bring real, side-by-side multitasking to an iPhone for the first time. If Apple somehow sneaks multitasking into iOS 27, it could theoretically be accessible to the iPhone 18 Pro Max — but it would be forced to stack them on top of one another when the orientation is in portrait.

Just as crucial, though, is the exterior screen experience of the iPhone Ultra. Unlike the wide, hefty footprint of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the Ultra’s outer cover display is significantly narrower and easier to maneuver with one hand. That means quick-fire tasks — like snappy text responses and accepting calendar invites — would feel far more agile, giving the Ultra the edge whether it’s opened up or kept shut.

Catering to vloggers versus robust utility

It’s often said that the best camera is the one you have with you. So if I had to pick between the triple-camera setup of the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the rumored dual-camera system of the iPhone Ultra, it’s a no-brainer which one I'd want in my pocket.

That’s because I still value the versatility of a dedicated triple-lens system above almost anything else, and that is where these two diverge. All leaks point to a dual-camera setup on the iPhone Ultra, which trades zoom range for creator-first utility.

Similar to other book-style foldables, the iPhone Ultra gains an edge by leveraging its outer cover screen as a live viewfinder for the rear cameras. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is the perfect example of this with its new Creator Suite.

Framing up solo vlogging shots is way easier with a foldable because you get an instant preview, whereas the iPhone 18 Pro Max would have to rely on add-ons like the Insta360 Snap or Dockcase Selfix iPhone case.

Yet for all of the Ultra's vlogging cleverness, the iPhone 18 Pro Max should be the definitive choice for serious creators. Between a true optical zoom telephoto lens that pulls in distant subjects and the rumored addition of a variable aperture, the iPhone 18 Pro Max offers a level of optical flexibility and creative command that a dual-camera foldable simply cannot match.

A shared chip, but a clear endurance winner

Under the hood, this matchup is expected to be a dead heat because the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max are tipped to run on Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip. This means raw computing power and graphics rendering should be identical in real-world use. If there’s one thing Apple consistently gets right, it's keeping processing performance uniform across its lineup — and I have no doubt it’ll be the same here.

Battery endurance, however, is a different story. While the Ultra is likely to split its power supply across a dual-battery design to accommodate its folding hinge, the iPhone 18 Pro Max benefits from a unibody design that should pack a massive battery of 5,567 mAh compared with 4,883 for the iPhone Ultra.

Combine that larger capacity with a single 6.9-inch display, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max is almost guaranteed to last longer on our battery drain test and likely make our best phone battery life list.

Why the iPhone 18 Pro Max gets my vote for now

Software is where this battle will ultimately be won or lost for me. The single biggest factor that could sway me toward the iPhone Ultra is how Apple pulls off the holy grail of foldable phones: dynamic layouts with the interface. If iOS 27 indeed solves the persistent problems I’ve run into on Android foldables — namely poor app scaling, awkward aspect ratio letterboxing, and clunky orientation transitions — it would make an incredibly compelling case over the traditional iPhone 18 Pro Max experience.

If that’s not enough to consider, there’s also the financial reality of how much I’m willing to pay for an unproven foldable. While the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to arrive at a higher premium than its predecessor, a massive price jump could persuade me to look toward the Ultra instead. Rumors hint at a price hike of upward of $350 on the Pro Max, which is excessive to say the least — though a modest $100 to $200 increase would keep my interest.

Still, $2,000 seems to be the current sweet spot for book-style foldables, and the latest leaks suggest the Ultra could land well north of that, approaching $2,500. If the pricing gap between them ends up around $1,000, my pick would easily remain faithful to the iPhone 18 Pro Max for its proven formula and class-leading performance.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra trade-offs: The biggest things you’re not getting versus iPhone 18 Pro
• 3 big reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max over iPhone 18 Pro this year
• Apple may have accidentally teased its own roadmap with 14 unreleased devices revealed — but this long overdue update has me most excited

How easy is it going to be to pick up an iPhone Ultra after its debut at the September Apple Event? Assuming you can pay the high price tag, rumored to be in the region of $2,000 to $2,500, there has been plenty of doomsaying and claims that supply may be extremely limited. Well, it turns out that might depend on where you live.

According to a report from Australian outlet ChannelNews, Apple could stagger the release of the iPhone Ultra by country. It's claimed the foldable will debut in the U.S. market before slowly rolling out to other regions. If that sounds familiar, it's because Apple previously employed a similar release strategy with the Apple Vision Pro.

Why stagger the release?

According to ChannelNews this information comes from one of Apple's Chinese suppliers. Apparently, the regional delays are "primarily down to supply and pricing issues," while also adding that they believe Apple is "also having testing issues with production models that have already been built."

There have been plenty of reports saying similar things over the past several weeks. It's claimed that there ae issues producing enough units that though various counter reports still maintain that the iPhone Ultra will still make an appearance alongside iPhone 18 Pro at the Apple launch event next month.

Right now we don't know which reports are accurate, or what Apple's actual plans are. However, the staggered release may be a "best of both" approach for Apple itself. Limiting the release of the iPhone Ultra to the U.S. market means it can still push ahead with a late 2026 release, without having to worry about those rumored production woes.

What could Apple's plan be?

Apple is not one to reveal its plans ahead of time, so it's not exactly clear how such a staggered release might play out — or how long it'll be for a non-U.S. release to happen.

Carrier sources in Australia have told ChannelNews that a local release could take months, and the phone won't be available with the rest of this fall's iPhone releases. It's also claimed that Apple may not announce the iPhone Ultra price tag, though it's unclear if this relates to local pricing around the world, or how much U.S. buyers will need to pay.

I guess it all depends on Apple and its partners getting to grips with the rumored production issues, and how strong the demand is in the U.S. market. Improving supply and production yields means they have more opportunity to release the iPhone Ultra in different regions without risking running out in the U.S.

Alternatively, if the Ultra ends up in a similar situation as the Vision Pro, Apple can adjust for weak domestic demand by rolling out the iPhone Ultra to other regions. Reports currently indicate that demand could be rather high, which would explain the staggered rollout and focus on Apple's home turf.

Do we need to worry?

If you're living in the U.S., or plan on visiting in the near future, then you should probably be able to pick up an iPhone Ultra at some point. That's assuming you are willing to pay the extreme price tag that Apple is rumored to impose.

Reports suggest that Apple wants to produce around 10 million units. That figure pales in comparison to the number of non-folding devices Apple sells each year, but those other devices also cost more than half of what the iPhone Ultra is expected to cost. Personally, while I know the iPhone Ultra will be popular, I feel as though the price is going to be a major barrier for entry — just as it was with the Apple Vision Pro.

Outside the U.S. is a totally different ball game, though, and it will likely depend on when Apple decides to release the iPhone Ultra in those regions. At this point, we just don't know when that might be.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra trade-offs: The biggest things you’re not getting versus iPhone 18 Pro
• 3 big reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max over iPhone 18 Pro this year
• Apple may have accidentally teased its own roadmap with 14 unreleased devices revealed — but this long overdue update has me most excited

There could be some pretty big iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro differences when the new iPhones debut at the Apple Event in September — and I’m not talking screen size.

Other than display and battery, the iPhone Pro and Pro Max have mostly enjoyed parity over the past several years. But there have been some notable exceptions where the Max got the shiny new upgrades first.

For example, the iPhone 12 Pro Max boasted a 47% larger main camera sensor, sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 2.5x telephoto lens. The regular iPhone 12 Pro made do with a smaller sensor, 2x telephoto and standard OIS.

Fast forward to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and Apple debuted the 5x tetraprism zoom lens while keeping the iPhone 15 Pro at 3x.

Now after two years of total parity across the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro lineups, that gap appears ready to reopen. Assuming the latest leaks prove true around the variable aperture camera and more, the iPhone 18 Pro Max might once again be in a league of its own.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Similarities

Before we get into the differences, it’s important to quickly summarize the rumored upgrades coming to both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, starting with the design.

Both new iPhone Pros are tipped to feature a smaller Dynamic Island. So it’s not going away, but the area reserved for the front camera and Face ID hardware should be shrinking. And you’ll still have Live Activities popping into this area.

In addition, it looks like Apple is ditching the two-tone look from the iPhone 17 Pro in favor of a more unified aesthetic on the back of the iPhone. And there should be new colors to choose from, including Dark Cherry and Light Blue.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will likely be powered by Apple’s first 2nm chip in the A20 Pro. This should offer increased performance and longer battery life. Plus, Apple’s C2 modem should beef up connectivity while cutting down on power.

iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Differences

Variable aperture camera

At first it was believed that both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max would get a variable aperture camera. This would allow users to manually control the aperture, giving you more control over the depth of field for portrait shots. It could also enable sharper close-up shots and better low-light performance.

However, some leakers now claim that the variable aperture lens will be an iPhone 18 Pro Max exclusive. This includes Ice Universe, who has a pretty solid track record. The reasoning is that Apple needs the larger chassis to pull this off. We’ll have to see if this proves true but this could be a big reason to go Max this year.

Even longer zoom

The iPhone 18 Pro Max could once again leapfrog the regular Pro when it comes to zoom capability. Ice Universe also claims that only the iPhone 18 Pro Max may be getting a 6x optical zoom in addition to a more advanced “five-refraction” prism.

The Pro version might offer 5x-6x zoom, Ice Universe wrote.

Much larger battery

If you want a phone with the most battery life possible, the iPhone 18 Pro Max looks to be the ticket. It’s tipped to get a 5,567 mAh battery, which would be a big jump over the 5,088 mAh battery in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro’s capacity could have a meager 1% increase over its predecessor, packing a 4,288 mAh battery. The iPhone 17 Pro had a 4,252 mAh battery.

In our iPhone 17 battery testing, the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasted an epic 17 hours and 54 minutes of 5G web surfing, compared to 15:32 for the iPhone 17 Pro. I would expect the gap to grow with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs iPhone 18 Pro: Outlook

The decision between the iPhone Pro and Pro Max has usually come down to how big a screen you want, and that primary difference isn’t going away. The iPhone 18 Pro Max should feature the same 6.9-inch size as last year, compared to 6.3 inches for the Pro.

But it appears that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could offer major camera advantages over the iPhone 18 Pro in addition to a much bigger battery. What we don’t know is how much Apple is going to charge for these phones, but both are tipped for a price hike.

With a rumored increase for the iPhone 18 Pro to $1,299-$1,399 and $1,399-$1,499 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, I think shoppers will want the most bang for their buck. So if these rumors and leaks pan out, I see a lot more shoppers splurging for the Max.

Shortly after installing iOS 27, I ran into an unexpected issue with FaceTime: mid-conversation, my video feed would blur without warning, accompanied by new safety prompts.

Apple upgraded its automated content filters with this update, but the system is overzealous — frequently mistaking dim lighting, harmless shadows, or a pet on your lap for explicit material.

If you are experiencing these same disruptions on your calls, here is the exact method I used to adjust the settings and restore clear, uninterrupted video.

When a good safety feature goes wrong

Apple’s expanded safety controls represent a major leap forward for digital protection. Designed to safeguard children and shield users from unwanted exposure, the system uses on-device machine learning to flag explicit photos and videos.

In practice, however, this execution can become a frustrating drag during everyday use. Because the algorithm relies entirely on visual recognition, innocuous objects or sudden lighting shifts can frequently flag the warning.

Instead of a subtle overlay, the feature blurs the affected video behind a stark warning shield. To restore the feed, you must pause your conversation, tap through multiple confirmation prompts, and manually consent to view again.

The high rate of false positives turns a well-intentioned security safeguard into an annoying barrier that completely disrupts the flow of your calls.

How to bypass the sensitive content warning

To turn this feature off, start by opening the Settings app, scroll down and select Privacy & Security, then tap Sensitive Content Warning. If the toggle is available, you can instantly customize your preferences by turning off the main switch at the top of the screen, or by scrolling down to disable it for individual apps like FaceTime.

However, many are finding that this menu is greyed out or displays an "On" status that cannot be changed. This occurs if your device defaults to maximum safety restrictions or handles an unverified age profile.

To bypass this barrier, return to the main Settings menu, select Screen Time, and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

From there, you can completely toggle off All Restrictions and confirm your choice when prompted. Turning off these overarching restrictions will immediately unlock your settings and override the filter, allowing your video calls to proceed without interruption.

More from Tom's Guide

• iOS 27 finally fixes the most annoying iPhone workaround we all use
• iOS 27 brings 5-star ratings to Photos — here is how to use them
• I've been testing Siri AI in iOS 27 for 3 weeks: 7 things to try first (and the feature that won me over)

This week Apple released macOS version 26.7, and apparently hidden in the code are references to multiple unreleased Apple devices that all could launch in the coming months.

In total, the apparent accidental leaks reveal at least 14 products, including AirPods with cameras, the expected foldable iPhone Ultra, new OLED models of the MacBook and iPad mini and a next-generation Apple TV. The leak was discovered by Aaron Perris of MacRumors.

For many of these devices, the best we can note from the code is that they exist or will exist at some point. But it does give us an idea of what Apple could be working on and what's next.

Here's the full list for now:

• Apple Home Hub
• HomePod mini 3
• Apple Security Camera
• Home Accessory
• iPhone Air 2
• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max
• iPhone 18
• iPhone Ultra
• MacBook Pro 14” M6
• iMac M6
• MacBook Pro OLED touchscreen
• iPad mini OLED
• AirPod Ultra (with camera)
• Beats headphones

With Apple's annual iPhone event around the corner, we're expecting a majority of that list to be announced next month. That includes the iPhone 18 Pro models, the iPhone Ultra, and the AirPods Ultra with cameras that were revealed in a leaked video this week.

The leaked code doesn't appear to have release dates, not that it would. With that in mind, of the devices on the list, the base model iPhone 18 and super-thin iPhone Air 2 likely won't debut until next spring with Apple's rumored split launch.

There are two interesting reveals in the OLED devices and the suite of smart home devices.

OLED MacBook and iPad mini

Apple doesn't release MacBooks until later in the fall, typically in mid-October. The most recent leaks have suggested that Apple will add the MacBook to its burgeoning "Ultra" line.

The Apple MacBook Ultra is supposed to debut this year with an OLED touchscreen panel and the M6 chipset. The OLED panel and touchscreen would be among three firsts for Apple laptops, including a new iPhone-esque Dynamic Island. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that it will also get a redesign, though he declined to elaborate on what Apple is changing.

As for the iPad mini, the OLED redesign has been rumored for a couple of years, but recent rumors have settled on an October debut. The big change is the screen, but it should also feature a faster chip. So far, rumors haven't revealed any other changes.

Apple's Smart Home ambitions

Since Apple revealed Apple Intelligence in 2024, rumors about an AI-boosted suite of smart home devices have been repeatedly leaked, though the delay of Siri 2.0 seemingly kept getting in the way.

It's being built around a new version of the Apple HomePod. Per MacRumors, this code leak potentially revealed two versions of the HomePod: one that mounts on the wall and one with a built-in base that may or may not be a speaker with essentially an iPad on it.

One of the code names, "B525" apparently refers to what may be the HomePod mini 2, as the current version had a B520 codename.

The Apple Security Camera is both a surprise since it hasn't really been revealed previously, but also not that shocking. At WWDC 2026, Apple announced an upgrade to Apple Home Secure Video that adds AI for natural language search, detailed video descriptions and more. Apple is clearly thinking about security cameras.

The other interesting reference is to something labeled Pebble, which may be a smart home OS that we had previously seen codenamed as "Charismatic."

New Apple TV 4K and Siri remote

The one I'm most curious about is the long-rumored next-generation Apple TV 4K set-top streaming box Apparently, the code reveals a new, upgraded Siri remote too.

The code doesn't reveal any changes, but it seems to suggest that an Apple TV update is coming after years of rumors. Some rumors have suggested the new streaming box could have a camera for FaceTime calls.

Otherwise, we're mostly expecting internal upgrades with the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and at the very least the A17 Pro chip, though I expect something higher at this point.

We'll be tracking all of these potential devices in the coming months, with the iPhone lineup the first to hit in September.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra trade-offs: The biggest things you’re not getting versus iPhone 18 Pro
• I found the 15 best Apple deals in Best Buy's massive 60th Anniversary sale — AirPods, Apple Watches, MacBooks and more
• iPhone Ultra leakers reveal new details around release and 'extremely limited' availability

Given that the foldable iPhone is expected to cost anywhere between $2,000 and $2,500, there is some legitimate debate going on right now as to whether it will really be worth the premium. And at least based on the reports and rumors thus far, the so-called iPhone Ultra could have some serious drawbacks compared to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

People shopping for a foldable phone compared to a traditional flagship slab are accustomed to making trade-offs. For example, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series doesn’t have IP68 dust resistance, a telephoto camera or an S Pen like the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

The question is whether Apple is making the right trade-offs with the iPhone Ultra. Here’s what will likely be missing on the foldable iPhone — and my “bummer score” on whether it’s a big deal.

No telephoto lens (Bummer score: 8/10)

The iPhone Ultra will reportedly feature dual 48MP rear cameras: a main wide lens and an ultrawide. However, Apple is expected to skip a telephoto lens, which means you won’t get a long optical zoom as you will on the iPhone 18 Pro Max (tipped for 6x optical zoom).

In other words, you’ll have to rely on cropping from the main camera or digital zoom if you want to get closer to your subject. For example, the Galaxy Fold 8 also lacks a telephoto and features a max digital zoom of just 10x. Based on all of the design leaks, this omission would not be a surprise at all but would still be a very big bummer for a $2,000+ phone.

No Face ID (Bummer score: 7/10)

Face ID has been the standard way to unlock your phone since the iPhone X way back in 2017. But it looks like Apple simply won’t have the room to cram a TrueDepth sensor and the other necessary tech to make Face ID happen on the iPhone Ultra.

This is a big bummer because with Face ID you don’t even have to think about unlocking your phone — even in the dark. It just works. You’ll likely unlock the iPhone Ultra with Touch ID instead, and Apple has done a remarkable job perfecting this technology in the iPhone line and now the iPad and Mac. But fingerprints sensors are by their very nature more finicky than face recognition.

No dust resistance (Bummer score: 6/10)

It’s one of the most notable weaknesses of the Galaxy Fold 8, so it’s just as appropriate to mention here. The iPhone Ultra is expected to have a durability rating of IP48 or IPX8.

This would mean that the iPhone Ultra would be able to withstand being submerged in water but not dust or sand. This is another trade-off shared by the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra.

There are foldables that are IP68 rated for water and dust, including the Motorola Razr Fold and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. These are on the thicker side, though, and the iPhone Ultra is expected to be thinner at 4.5 to 4.8 mm when open.

No MagSafe (Bummer Score: 5/10)

It would be a definite step backwards if the foldable iPhone didn’t support MagSafe technology, which debuted on the iPhone 12 series back in 2020

With MagSafe you can easily attach your iPhone to various wireless chargers, as well as turn your phone into an alarm clock with StandBy mode. Whether it’s about achieving a thinner design or leaving room for a larger battery, not having MagSafe on board would stink. But at least you could buy a case with the necessary magnets built in.

iPhone Ultra outlook

When you add up these drawbacks, there are some major reasons to potentially skip the iPhone Ultra and get the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max instead.

For me, not having a telephoto zoom camera is a big deal, and I might wait for an iPhone Ultra 2 to see if Apple can add this feature.

But the iPhone Ultra is still likely to draw a ton of interest (and buyers) because of its ability to give you a 7.8-inch display in a compact design. You’ll essenitally be getting an iPad mini and iPhone in one device. Apple is also rumored to have eliminated the crease (though we’ll see about that).

In short, the iPhone Ultra could be the ultimate phone for multitaskers. But you’ll have to be willing to live with less features and functionality to enjoy this versatility. Let me know in the comments if you think these trade-offs will be worth it — or not.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra leakers reveal new details around release and 'extremely limited' availability
• Apple iPhone 18 event — all the new products expected to launch in September
• iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro pre-order date just tipped — here's when you can get yours

Apple's annual iPhone event has been officially confirmed to take place on September 9, and it could easily be the biggest Apple event in years. We're expecting a slew of new devices to be unveiled as John Ternus takes the reins as Apple's new CEO.

And all of that is before we discuss the launch of the long-rumored, much-hyped foldable iPhone Ultra — Apple's first attempt at a foldable phone. It's not clear when the device will actually launch, but at the very least, its reveal is almost certainly right around the corner.

In all, Apple is expected to launch up to eight different devices, from the expected new iPhones and upgraded Apple Watches to several new smart home-focused products.

Here's what we expect to see at Apple's 'Surprise and shine' September event, and when it's kicking off

When is the iPhone 18 event?

Apple has officially confirmed its "Surprise and shine" event will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at Apple Park. Although Apple normally holds its events on a Tuesday, the Labor Day weekend means it's being moved forward to Wednesday.

This has happened in the past, and the reasoning is that Apple doesn't want to ask attendees to travel on a holiday weekend. For example, the iPhone 14 launched on Wednesday, September 7, following Labor Day on Monday 5, and that'll likely be the case this year too.

The event is set to take place at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST and will livestreamed on various social media platforms as well as Apple's own site.

iPhones usually go up for pre-order the Friday following the Apple event, but this year that's September 11. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that pre-orders will be pushed to Saturday, September 12.

This year's edition will be hosted by incoming CEO John Ternus, and it looks like his tenure will start with a bang.

New iPhones

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

This year, Apple is expected to launch only its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. The entry-level iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Plus reportedly won't debut until next spring alongside the iPhone 18e model.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are both tipped to feature Apple's new 2nm A20 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island and Apple's new C2 modem. And both phones should get larger batteries.

However, the iPhone 18 Pro Max might have some exclusive upgrades, including a variable aperture camera and longer zoom. For more see our iPhone 18 Pro vs Pro Max comparison.

Unforutnately, analysts have predicted that the new iPhone 18 Pros could cost between $200 and $350 higher than the iPhone 17 Pro family.

iPhone Ultra

The biggest announcement of the Apple event is sure to be the debut of the foldable iPhone Ultra.

Leaks have suggested that it will have more of a wider shape, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with a 7.8-inch foldable display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. It could measure between 4.5 and 4.8mm when unfolded, making it one of the thinnest iPhones ever.

It's rumored to sport a 4,883 mAh battery, the A20 Pro chipset, Apple's in-house C2 modem, and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the power button. The rear is expected to come with a pair of 48MP cameras, horizontally positioned like the back of the iPhone Air, alongside two separate 24MP selfie cameras — one for each screen.

Apple reportedly delayed releasing a folding iPhone until it could eliminate the crease in the display, but whether it's accomplished this remains to be seen. Even Samsung and Oppo, despite their long lead time, have only had moderate success.

One downside is that the iPhone Ultra could be very expensive, costing anywhere from $2,000 to 2,500. And a recent leak suggests that iPhone Ultra may not be immediately available, with only "extremely limited" availability.

Just keep in mind that the iPhone Ultra could have a number of trade-offs versus the iPhone 18 Pro, including the lack of a telephoto zoom.

AirPods Ultra

These ones are a little surprising as based on a previous Gurman report, we weren't expecting the AirPods Ultra until 2027 at the earliest. However, rumor aggregator AppleTrack just reported this week that the Ultra version of AirPods will launch at the iPhone event.

The big change with these headphones is they will allegedly feature a camera that will feed into Siri to allow it to "see" the world.

It would utilize a version of Visual Intelligence to let you ask Siri questions about your surroundings or get turn-by-turn directions from the more powerful AI Siri releasing this fall.

The AirPods Ultra has also just appeared in a leaked video buried within the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, and it shows how they'll help you identify objects in the real world.

Apple Watch 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4

Unlike the iPhones, we know a bit less about the next Apple Watches. We are expecting two new models in the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4.

The leaks have been sparse, but Apple is reportedly not bringing many upgrades this year. The biggest change might be a new kind of band attachment. This does mean that your old bands might not be compatible with the new watches.

Reportedly, Apple could offer a ceramic case option for the first time in years. It should also sport new health and fitness-related upgrades. We already know that watchOS 27 will bring new AI features, an updated Workout Buddy and more useful data tracking. Plus, it should feature better integration with the upgraded Siri AI which we've already seen in the iOS 27 beta.

Smart Home

Apple's smart home ambitions and the rumors surrounding them need to be taken with a massive grain of salt. Leaks have suggested Apple is planning on introducing a suite of smart home devices starting with a revamped HomePod and an AI-powered Apple TV 4K streaming device.

Those rumors have existed for more than two years and largely feed into the company's promises around the AI-powered Siri.

However, this year with iOS 27, Apple may finally have the chatbot that was promised. If it actually releases and works as pitched, this year could actually be the start of Apple Home.

HomePod Home hub

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, long a reporter of the rumored HomePod updates, believes that a new HomePod mini could launch this September alongside the rumored HomePod Home hub.

Several different iterations of this device have been rumored, including one with a $1,000 robot arm. The most common version involves a wall-mounted touchpad or a HomePod speaker with a touch display about the size of an iPad mini.

This device would have a FaceTime camera for video calls and presence sensors to initiate smart home routines.

HomePod mini 2

A new HomePod mini might also debut, but it might not be as big of an upgrade as the Hub. Most rumors suggest that it will feature a new chip and audio improvements.

To be clear, this one feels even more far-fetched than the Hub; the HomePod mini 2 has been on our rumor radar since at least 2023. The current version debuted in 2020, and like the next device, is long overdue for an update.

Apple TV 4K 2026

Like the HomePod series, Apple hasn't released a new version of the Apple TV 4K since 2022. We're long overdue for an upgrade — even if it's only a more powerful chip for stronger performance.

Previously, it was suggested that a new Apple TV could feature the A17 Pro chip, but it's more likely it'll get the new A20 or, to save some money, last year's A19. The device should also get the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Outside of chips, the big upgrade would be Siri AI, which could let you connect the Apple TV as a hub for smart devices. One rumor suggested that Apple might release a set-top box with a camera, which would allow for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.

Will you be tuning in to Apple's event next month? Let me know which device you're most hyped for in the comments.

What we don't expect to see

Even with a huge event like this, there are still going to be devices that won't make an appearance. Due to staggered release schedules and supply-chain timing, Apple is spreading its hardware roadmap across multiple release windows over the next year. As a result, the following devices are unlikely to make any sort of appearance at the event.

• iPhone 18: Apple is reportedly holding back the base model until early 2027 to drive early demand toward the Pro models.
• AirPods Ultra: Rumored AirPods with cameras for Siri AI context are reportedly delayed until 2027 due to software and supply-chain bottlenecks.
• New Macs: Upgraded M6 MacBooks and touchscreen models are typically saved for dedicated computing announcements in October or later.
• OLED iPad mini: The next refresh of the compact tablet is slated for an October arrival rather than competing for stage time with the new iPhones.
• Apple Watch SE (4th gen): The entry-level wearable update will sit out this event, with Apple likely to focus on the Series 12 and Ultra 4 instead.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra leakers reveal new details around release and 'extremely limited' availability
• The 5 accessories that transformed my iPhone 17 Pro Max for under $50
• Ultimate back to school guide 2026: Laptops, Chromebooks, headphones and more

The iPhone 18 Pro launch is likely just a few weeks away, with the Apple September event tipped to take place on Sept. 9. So we have a pretty full picture of what to expect from the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max when they’re unveiled.

It doesn’t look like there will be many substantial design changes — leave that for the foldable iPhone Ultra — but there are several notable upgrades and tweaks that could compel you to get the new iPhone.

From the design and chip to the battery and more, here are 7 biggest iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max changes you need to know.

Variable aperture camera

This iPhone 18 Pro rumor seems like a lock given how many times it has come up. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are both tipped to feature a variable aperture camera for the first time.

What does this mean? The iPhone 18 Pro camera would have tiny mechanical leaves inside the lens module that would alter the physical size of the opening. In low light the aperture would open wide to let more light hit the sensor but in bright sunlight the aperture would step down to a smaller opening, preventing overexposure.

The benefits for photographers would include a more natural-looking motion blur, sharper details and better depth control.

Smaller Dynamic Island

The Dynamic Island on the iPhone comes in for getting live updates in that area of the display, but it can also be an eyesore when not in use. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are tipped to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, thanks to certain Face ID components moving under the display.

In other words, the display cutout for the front camera would be the smallest yet, building towards a true “all-screen” iPhone 20 next year.

New colors, new-ish look

If you liked the super-vibrant Cosmic Orange on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, you might be out of luck. It looks like Apple could be ditching this hue for a new Dark Cherry/Burgundy color. This would be the flagship color for the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

Additionally, we may be getting a light blue color for the iPhone 18 Pro series, along with silver and possibly dark gray.

The back of the iPhone 18 Pro series could have a slightly different look, too. Apple is expected to move away from the two-tone design and opt for a more unified appearance.

A20 Pro chip

Apple A20 Pro chip for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max is expected be the company’s first ever to be built on TSMC’s 2nm design process. As a result, Apple should be able to fit up to 15% more transistors on the chip, improving performance but also with a 30% reduction in power consumption.

As 9to5Mac reports, the A20 Pro chip will offer a packaging innovation called Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module. This would also enable the SoC and DRAM to be integrated at the wafer level. The result is that the chip will be closer to the onboard memory and enable better performance and lower power consumption for AI tasks as well as gaming.

Bigger battery for iPhone 18 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max already delivered astounding results in the Tom’s Guide battery test, lasting nearly 18 hours of web surfing over 5G. But the iPhone 18 Pro Max is tipped to get an even bigger battery going from 4,823 mAh all the way up to 5,391 mAh for the new iPhone.

Alas, the iPhone 18 Pro’s battery will reportedly be only 1% larger than the iPhone 17 Pro, going from 4,252 mAh to 4,288 mAh. However, the efficiencies gained from the A20 Pro chip and the new C2 modem could still result in significantly longer runtime.

C2 modem

The iPhone 16e featured Apple’s first cellular modem in the C1, followed by the C1X chip in the iPhone Air. According to 9to5Mac, the new C2 modem coming to the iPhone 18 Pro series brings a few advantages.

In addition to improved battery efficiency, the C2 modem should offer improved performance in spotty coverage areas. And we could see 5G via satellite capability added to the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Improved Camera Control

I don’t know about you, but I’ve found the Camera Control button to be a waste of space on iPhones. It’s too easy to activate and too finicky to control. But the updated Camera Control on iPhone 18 Pro will apparently be stripped back to make it less frustrating and more user friendly. MacRumors reports that Apple may remove touch-sensitive components entirely.

Outlook

While most of these iPhone 18 Pro changes are welcome, it doesn’t feel like Apple will be pushing the envelope with the Pro and Pro Max this year. Most of the attention will likely go to the iPhone Ultra/Fold, Apple’s first foldable phone.

However, the foldable iPhone is expected to make some trade-offs, including the lack of telephoto zoom and Face ID. So if you want the most cutting edge “traditional” iPhone, the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture camera, faster A20 chip and bigger battery may be reasons enough to upgrade.

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Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone — either called the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold, depending on which reports you go by — will likely be unveiled in just a few short weeks at the Apple September event. Over the weekend, a reputable leaker confirmed that September launch window, but warned that actually getting your hands on one around that time won't be easy.

iPhone Ultra supply will be "extremely limited" when Apple unveils the foldable next month, according to Fixed Focus Digital, a noted Apple leaker on the Chinese social media platform Weibo (h/t 9to5Mac).

Apple is targeting a total production run of around 10 million units, as outlined in a July report from Nikkei Asia, but suppliers may need 3 to 5 months to reach that output goal. That would make the potential best foldable phone contender very hard to come by at launch, which is bad news for early adopters.

iPhone Ultra = iPhone X all over again?

Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said suppliers may ship only 7-8 million units in 2026, suggesting that we may be in for a repeat of what happened with the iPhone X. Back in 2017, bottlenecks with new components like the TrueDepth camera system for Face ID and OLED panel production constraints severely hampered the iPhone X launch. Pre-orders sold out in minutes, pushing shipping dates back by months.

In another post, Fixed Focus Digital said that despite earlier rumors that the iPhone Ultra might only ship in the U.S. initially, their sources claim mass production is moving smoothly with Chinese suppliers. This would point to a broader global launch from day one.

iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold?

For months, Apple’s foldable iPhone was widely expected to be called the iPhone Fold. But that started to change this spring, when the iPhone Ultra name began gaining traction. Several noted analysts and leakers have begun throwing cold water on the iPhone Ultra name this summer, though what exactly it could be called instead remains the subject of debate.

Over the weekend, leaker Instant Digital became the latest to cast doubt on the Ultra moniker. In a post on Weibo, he said he expects Apple to reserve the Ultra namesake for the 20th anniversary model and its successors. He noted Apple’s prior uses of Ultra in product naming, going on to say that he's skeptical the foldable will merit the name.

For what it's worth, Mark Gurman, who has been covering rumors around the foldable iPhone for years for Bloomberg, wrote back on X earlier this month that “Everyone calls it the Ultra internally. We’ll see what happens.”

We'll find out soon enough, with the iPhone Ultra/Fold/whatever it ends up being called likely to be revealed on September 9. We'll be there at the Apple event to bring you all the news and our hands-on impressions when Apple's first foldable goes live.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro pre-order date just tipped — here's when you can get yours
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Honor's new Robot Phone is finally official. After first teasing the device last year and then showing it off at MWC, the company has finally taken the wraps off its ambitious new smartphone at a launch event in China. The Honor Robot Phone goes on sale starting August 20, priced at RMB 9,999 (around $1,480). Sadly, there's no word on a global launch just yet.

The big highlight, of course, is the gimbal-mounted camera on the back. It promises much better stabilization and many of the features you'd expect from a dedicated handheld gimbal camera, while still giving you all the hardware and features of a flagship smartphone.

But does having a dedicated gimbal built into your phone actually make it better at shooting video than the iPhone 17 Pro Max? I put the two against each other to find out.

Honor has a hardware advantage the iPhone simply can't match

Right off the bat, the Honor Robot Phone has one pretty obvious advantage: it has an actual three-axis gimbal built into the back of the phone.

The 200MP f/1.6 camera sits on a motorized gimbal that can physically move around, and using it almost feels like having something like a DJI Osmo Pocket 4 built right into your phone.

The difference in stabilization isn't night and day. The iPhone 17 Pro Max already records incredibly stable video out of the box. Plus, you can also switch to Action mode if you need even more stabilization.

But put footage from the two phones side by side while walking, and you can definitely notice the difference. The Honor Robot Phone handles movement better, with the physical gimbal helping smooth out those little movements as you walk.

But stabilization is only part of the advantage. The bigger difference for me is subject tracking. The Honor Robot Phone lets you lock onto a person while recording, and the gimbal physically moves to keep that subject in the frame. Of course, there's only so far it can rotate before your subject moves completely out of view, but within that range, it keeps track of the subject pretty well in my testing.

And that's something you simply can't do on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. There's no option to lock onto a subject and have the camera follow them as they move.

I can already think of plenty of situations where this would be useful. If you're recording yourself during a gym session, for example, you could leave the Robot Phone in one place, lock the camera onto yourself, and let the gimbal follow you as you move around. The same applies when you're recording yourself outdoors or simply filming someone else without constantly having to reposition the phone.

But the iPhone still wins in a few important areas

The Honor Robot Phone works great in most camera-related scenarios, but there are still a few areas where the iPhone 17 Pro Max came out ahead during my testing, particularly in low light. The Robot Phone introduced noticeably more noise in darker conditions, while the iPhone handled the same conditions much better.

There's also a noticeable difference when shooting vertical video. Yes, the Robot Phone can record vertically, but the 200MP sensor itself remains horizontally oriented. The sensor physically doesn't rotate, which means the phone crops into the landscape image to create a vertical frame.

As a result, you're getting roughly 2.8K resolution rather than true 4K vertical footage. The iPhone 17 Pro Max doesn't have that limitation and can shoot vertical video at up to 4K 120fps.

For someone who shoots a lot of short-form content, that's not a small compromise. And probably the biggest reason I wouldn't say Honor has outright beaten the iPhone for video just yet.

But apart from somehow fitting an entire gimbal camera into a smartphone, what impressed me most about the Robot Phone is that Honor hasn't sacrificed the rest of the flagship experience to make room for it.

You still get a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with 2.7x optical zoom and a 50MP ultrawide alongside the gimbal-mounted main camera. Honor has also somehow squeezed in a massive 7,060mAh battery, despite the phone being smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro Max in terms of overall dimensions. And you also get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 under the hood, which means the performance shouldn't be an issue either.

I still can't say whether the Honor Robot Phone is a better overall video-recording device than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. That's something that will require a lot more testing. But when it comes to things like stabilization and subject tracking, the Robot Phone can do things the iPhone physically can't.

Overall, at $1,480, the Robot Phone seems like a seriously impressive package. It's just a shame you won't officially be able to buy one in the U.S.

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If your iPhone photo library is filled with dozens of duplicate shots, screenshots you no longer need, and vacation photos you keep meaning to sort through, iOS 27 introduces a long-awaited organizational tool to help.

For the first time, Apple allows you to assign one-to-five-star ratings and custom metadata keywords directly to your images and videos, bringing sorting to the native Photos.

Because the star rating controls are hidden by default when you first update your device, you need to enable the feature in your settings before you can start rating your media.

Here's how to turn on rating controls, assign stars to your photos, and filter your library to find your best shots in seconds.

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Now that we’re getting closer to the Apple September event and the launch of Apple’s first foldable iPhone there’s a sudden debate over what Apple may call the device.

For several months, the Apple rumorsphere had settled on the iPhone Fold moniker, but since this spring the name iPhone Ultra started to gain a lot more traction. Now Creative Strategies analyst Max Weinbach has thrown cold water on the “Ultra” name.

The 'Ultra' debate

Max Weinbach wrote on X that “I still don’t believe the foldable iPhone will be called the iPhone Ultra. It makes no sense to me given the other Ultra branding Apple has. It does not seem Ultra.”

Weinbach continued, saying that the foldable iPhone would “be lesser than but unique compared to the Pro” and that it “is not an Apple Ultra-product.”

Carolina Milanesi, another analyst with Creative Strategies, chimed in on X. She wrote that "to some extent this is like the Neo a new category and the name Ultra would be a poor descriptor of what you are buying. Apple might not want to call the iPhone Fold or the iFold but that is what it is really."

However, Mark Gurman, who has been covering rumors around the foldable iPhone for years for Bloomberg, wrote back on X that “Everyone calls it the Ultra internally. We’ll see what happens.”

iPhone Fold trade-offs

Based on the reporting up until now, the iPhone Ultra/Fold will be missing some features compared to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

For example, the foldable iPhone is expected to feature just dual rear cameras. So you wouldn’t get a telephoto zoom. This may be due to the shorter and squatter design versus iPhone Pros

It’s also worth noting that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 has just two rear cameras and doesn’t feature a telephoto zoom either. Yet that hasn’t stopped the device from being the most popular pre-order model by far in Samsung’s lineup.

In addition, the iPhone Fold is tipped to feature Touch ID for unlocking the device, while the iPhone 18 Pros should continue to offer Face ID.

Other iPhone Ultra trade-offs based on the leaks could include the lack of an Action button, a smaller battery versus the iPhone 18 Pros and the possible omission of MagSafe magnets in order to achieve a thin design.

Why this could be a true iPhone Ultra

Despite lacking some features versus the iPhone 18 Pro series that could undermine an iPhone Ultra Name, the foldable iPhone could live up to that name in other ways.

For starters, the iPhone Ultra is tipped to have the largest iPhone screen ever at 7.8 inches when open. Compare that to the 6.9 inches for the rumored iPhone 18 Pro Max.

This larger display would be like having an iPad mini in your pocket. And this would include both split-screen multitasking and the ability to run apps with dual-pane layouts. Yes, the iPhone Ultra is expected to borrow app layout elements from iPadOS while still running iOS 27.

The iPhone Ultra’s main display is also expected to be crease-free or very close to it, thanks in part to Apple’s rumored liquid metal hinge and other innovations. Though I’ll be curious to see how it stacks up to the Flex Titanium display on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series.

When closed, the iPhone Ultra would give you a compact design with a 5.5-inch cover display, but it would be wide enough for comfy typing and running all your favorite apps.

What about the iPhone Ultra price?

The iPhone Ultra price rumors certainly sound ‘Ultra’ to me, with some expected Apple to charge as much as $2,500 for the device. The low-end estimate is $2,000.

By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is $1,899 and the Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.

And it’s worth keeping in mind that Apple is expected to hike the price on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max due to the ongoing component shortage.

Bottom line

Right now I’m betting that the iPhone Ultra name will stick for Apple. Yes, you’re giving up some features compared to the Pro iPhones, but I think incoming Apple CEO John Ternus can justify the “Ultra” based on the unique experience it’s trying to deliver.

The big question for me is what Apple might wind up calling the iPhone 20 next year for what will be the 20th anniversary iPhone. That device is expected to feature a radical new all-glass design with close to zero bezels.

So Apple needs to decide if that device will be Ultra or if it’s the foldable. Or just go with a completely different name for the iPhone 20. We'll find out if the iPhone Ultra name is right likely on Sept. 9, and we'll be there at the Apple event to bring you all the news and our hands-on impressions.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro pre-order date just tipped — here's when you can get yours
• 3 big ways the iPhone Ultra could beat the Galaxy Z Fold 8
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The price hike could be even bigger than we thought. A new report from Counterpoint Research released today indicates that the iPhone 18 Pro models could be way more expensive than we previously expected.

"A price increase on the new iPhones is inevitable," the report ominously begins. Though it notes that the question is whether or not Apple will eat some of the costs or pass higher prices along to customers.

For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max reportedly costs Apple around $500 to build. The BoM for the iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost closer to $1,000.

Like every other price increase in the last year, any bump for the iPhone is thanks to increased component costs. The largest culprit is the ongoing memory shortage due to the AI boom.

Counterpoint estimates that bill of materials (BoM) for the iPhone 18 Pro Max in the 12GB and 1TB configuration is increasing by $300, compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max in the same form. Lower storage capacities options and the Pro models could see between $200 and $250 increases.

If Apple were to hold costs as is, we could see price increases between $250 and $350 for the next iPhone. That's a massive.

Sticking with the 1TB Pro Max, the current iPhone 17 model costs $1,599. This means the iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost between $1,849 and $1949.

Per Counterpoint, the question is whether or not Apple wants to protect its "gross margins" compared to previous generations.

Apple has options

There is some good news; Apple could reduce a potential price hike with several different tactics.

The company is pretty aggressive when it comes to negotiating component pricing, even when the company has to "reluctantly" raise prices. Apple will likely renegotiate pricing on non-memory components.

As an example, MacRumors reported today that Apple has secured lower prices for the OLED displays on the iPhone 18 Pro models. The potential price only went down by $10 from $120 to $110, but every little bit counts.

Additionally, Apple has rolled out the new Apple Upgrade program, which enables users to lease iPhones and other Apple devices. This results in a lower monthly fee and allows you to upgrade at the end of your lease.

Counterpoint suggests that Apple will likely institute tiered pricing for the iPhone 18 series, with the lower-tier storage models getting smaller price bumps. Meanwhile, the higher storage variants, which Counterpoint says are more popular among its "affluent and mature user base" could see higher prices.

Again, it all depends on if Apple is trying to protect its gross margins or not. If it is, then we'll see simpler, flatter increases across the board. If not, then variable pricing across the different storage capacities could give Apple more flexibility.

We'll know more when Apple launches the series this coming September. For more, see our Apple September event preview.

More from Tom's Guide

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With more than a billion active users, Apple’s Messages app is already hugely popular. But a new feature in iOS 27 makes it even more useful, and I’m already seeing the benefits.

When you’re bombarded with texts on a daily basis, t’s all too easy to forget tasks or spend ages carrying out a request. I’ve certainly had occasions when I’ve forgotten to pick up groceries, or spent longer than expected trying to find photos someone asked me to send. But with one-tap suggestions in Messages, I’m starting to get on top of these things.

This feature is super-convenient, showing just how useful AI can be when used appropriately. By using Apple Intelligence to scan a conversation, it can create reminders and even actively sift through your photos to find the right ones using keyword, location, and people recognition.

What’s more, it won’t force you to do anything. The suggestion is simply there, and you decide whether to tap it or ignore it. Here’s how it works.

1. Receive a message

When you receive a text in the Messages app in iOS 27, Apple Intelligence has a quick read and checks to see if there is anything actionable. If there is, it will make suggestions based on the context of the conversation.

For example, if someone asks you to pick something up on your way home, Messages will suggest you add that request to your Reminders. To do so, you’d simply tap Add to Reminders immediately beneath the message.

2. Check the details

In the case of a reminder, a window will appear and key details from the message will be used to fill in some of the fields. You could then add a date and time if they haven’t already been added, or even mark the reminder as urgent.

Being able to go straight to a task such as this saves a lot of time. When you’re done, tap the blue tick icon.

3. Find some photos

One-tap suggestions don't just work with Reminders. Apple Intelligence may suggest you tap Add to Notes and it may be able to make use of a third-party app, for example, to help you make a restaurant reservation.

If images are mentioned in a message, you’ll be prompted to tap Search for Photos. Apple Intelligence will then use the information in the message to help you find the best photos.

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The official iOS 27 launch should be arriving at some point next month, just ahead of the Apple September event and the reveal of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. That doesn't necessarily mean that the software is ready just yet, and the release of iOS 27 developer beta 5 proves that Apple is still adding features and refining the software.

From new app icons and new Siri expressive voices to improved search, here's everything new in iOS 27 beta 5.

Updated app icons

Some of the Apple app icons have had new Liquid Glass designs, including Safari, Siri, Settings, the App Store, preview and Remote. Changes include brighter blues and more detailed compass arrows for Safari, while the Siri app looks more like the actual Siri bubble that opens when you speak to the AI.

App Store and Settings have had some extra translucency, Remote has some extra details, while Preview has an all-new look.

Apple has updated only a handful of app artwork throughout the iOS 27 beta, but it's certainly possible more tweaks could be on the way.

New Siri AI expressive voices

Siri AI's expressive voices have been expanded yet again. This time Apple has customisable Pace and Expressivity to all seven American voices and the four British voices.

Just remember that this feature is only available for iPhones with at least 12GB of RAM, which is so far the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Ultra should be added to this list.

Liquid Glass slider

The Liquid Glass slider is very helpful, but if you ever looked at it and went "that isn't transparent enough for my liking," then you're in luck. The clearest option on the slider is now even clearer than it was before, which should make it a little easier to see details behind your on-screen bubbles.

Create a Pass outside the U.S.

Apple Wallet's Create a Pass feature is no longer exclusive to the U.S. and is available in other regions. To find it simply open Apple Wallet, tap the + icon at the top of the screen and select Create a Pass. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Wallet, along with Photos and Music, also has a new splash screen telling you exactly what's changed in iOS 27.

Search

The Search and Ask features are getting new animations in iOS 27 beta 5, and the suggestions bar will show up immediately rather than a few seconds behind the bar itself. Apple's also letting users decide whether the search feature should include App results, and if so whether they want to see four or eight at a time.

Last update time

If you've ever wondered when your last iOS update was, the iOS 27 beta now tells you exactly when it happened. Head to the Software Update section of the General menu in the Settings app, and tap the More Details link at the bottom of the on-screen message

iOS 27 beta 5: Other updates

Contacts with a company name attached will now display that company in your contacts list — making it easier to keep tabs of all the different Daves and Debbies you might have in your phone.

Control Center has stopped showing cellular information if you're connected to Wi-Fi, and the battery section of the Settings app will warn you if a poor cell connection is causing excessive battery drain — which I'm surprised Apple hadn't thought about sooner.

Mail now includes a toggle for the Personalize Smart Replies feature. This is switched off by default, and can be toggled on in the Settings app's Mail section. Finally, Alarms and Timers now have a slightly thicker font in the Clock app — which is definitely welcome.

More from Tom's Guide

• iPhone Ultra rumors: Everything you need to know about the foldable iPhone
• iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro pre-order date just tipped — here's when you can get yours
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Update (Aug. 8, 26): Bloomberg's Mark Gurman dropped a report this morning claiming that the all-glass iPhone 20 is not canceled. "Apple Inc. is still planning to offer a glass-centric overhaul of the iPhone for the device’s 20th anniversary," Gurman said.

Apple's designs are reportedly "mostly locked in" and in advanced testing a year in advance, barring any mishaps. Gurman noted that the design will feature some metal holding the two glass halves of the phone together. The iPhone 20 is supposed to be seamless, it's unclear if this metal band will be visible or not.

Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone could be less exciting next year. Today, Jefferies analyst Edison Lee released a new report that downgraded Apple from sell to hold in his stock recommendations.

The report, "Roadmap to Higher-Priced iPhone Looks Challenging; Downgrade to UNPF," claims that Apple has canceled the all-glass version of the iPhone 20 due to "low yield."

"Apparent cancellation of the 20th anniversary all-glass iPhone is a big setback to raising iPhone's ASP and margin in the medium term," Lee wrote in the report. This means when Apple tests manufacturing the new phone, only a small amount of its test batches have proven viable.

Lee views this as a "major setback" for Apple's plans to sell more expensive iPhones to protect itself against rising memory costs. Apple has been reluctant to really blame memory costs for the recent rising prices, but it's clearly a factor.

Despite this, Lee and other analysts appear cautiously optimistic about Apple's long-term outlook, per TipRanks.

iPhone Ultra and iPhone 19 Pro Max insights

Lee's report suggests that Apple will return to the iPhone 19 nomenclature next year, not iPhone 20, but the Pro Max would get an upgrade to 16GB of RAM from 12GB.

Unfortunately, that could mean higher prices. Lee suggests that the forthcoming iPhone Ultra could cost as high as $2,199 for the 256GB storage version, while the 2TB model could be $3,099 based on estimates.

The Pro Max could go up by $100.

What the iPhone 20 is supposed to feature

The 20th anniversary edition is supposed to feature at least eight major upgrades. The biggest design change is a bezel-less, quad-curved display seamlessly attached to the glass and ceramic back panel. The Pro and Pro Max models would come in 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch sizes.

It could also feature a larger 200MP main camera, on par with Samsung's Ultra Galaxy S series. Additionally, with Samsung finally adding silicon-carbon batteries, it's rumored that Apple could also test out the next tech next year.

One of the more intriguing rumors is that Apple will get rid of the speaker grill on the bottom of the iPhone 20. Instead, "vibration technology" would push out sound. We may see this in the rumored OLED iPad mini that is supposed to launch this fall.

What's next?

Honestly, we don't know.

Lee's supply chain report doesn't reveal how Apple will pivot, just that the design was canceled. At its simplest, this means next year could just be another version of the iPhone 17 Pro design that is expected to continue with the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro models.

We know Apple will want to do something to celebrate the 20th anniversary, but it might not be the big design revamp that came with the iPhone X for the 10th anniversary.

It all comes down to new CEO John Ternus as he finally takes the reins from Tim Cook. Navigating the RAM crisis and an iPhone redesign is a tough first assignment, but it should give us an idea of how Ternus' term will go.

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Apple's September event could be the biggest for the company in years as it readies to launch its first foldable phone. And now we have a very good idea of when the event will take place — and when pre-orders could begin.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the Apple event will see an avalanche of new products, from the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. We could even see a new Apple TV box and HomePod mini. But there could be a shift in new iPhone pre-orders this year.

Apple September event date (and why iPhone Ultra is the star)

As reported by Gurman, the Apple September event will take place during the second week of September, likely landing on Wednesday, September 9.

Labor Day this year falls on Monday, September 7th. It would not make sense to have people traveling on a national holiday, so moving the Apple event to the middle of the week makes sense.

This will be the first Apple event helmed by incoming CEO John Ternus, and the biggest launch by far is expected to be the iPhone Ultra (aka iPhone Fold). This will be Apple's foldable phone, and based on all of the rumors it's expected to have a short and squat passport-like design similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

The front display on the iPhone Ultra is tipped to be 5.4-5.5 inches and the internal display 7.8 inches. The foldable iPhone will reportedly pack dual rear 48MP cameras (so no telephoto), Touch ID and a big 4,883 mAh battery.

The iPhone Fold is also rumored to eliminate the crease, though it remains to be seen if Apple can go even further than Samsung and its Flex Titanium technology.

iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro pre-order date and possible release date

Typically, the pre-order date for the new iPhone is the Friday after the Apple September event, but this year that would be Sept. 11. And since this will be the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack, Gurman writes that Apple will push back the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro pre-order date to Saturday, Sept. 12.

If this date winds up being legit, it's likely that the actual release date of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be either Friday, Sept. 18 or Saturday Sept. 19. It just depends on whether Apple wants the pre-order period to be a full week or not.

However, it's possible that the iPhone Ultra release date my not come until October, as there have been conflicting reports about possible production delays for Apple's first foldable iPhone. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max should still be on target for the typical September release date cadence.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are rumored for a new variable aperture camera (for greater depth of field control), faster A20 chip, new dark cherry color, smaller dynamic island and a larger battery (at least for the Max).

The regular iPhone 18 is not expected to launch until the first half of 2027.

More from Tom's Guide

• 3 big ways the iPhone Ultra will beat Galaxy Z Fold 8
• iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max — 5 biggest rumored upgrades you need to know
• Apple Watch Series 12 rumors — everything we know so far