The foldable iPhone is approaching.. and Apple might surprise everyone with an unexpected name

The foldable iPhone may be Apple’s most anticipated product in years, but the real surprise might not be the folding screen or the new design, but rather the name the device will carry when it first appears. While most leaks over the past months have settled on iPhone Ultra, new indicators have emerged that lead us to question this name. Will Apple surprise us and choose a completely different name for its foldable phone? We will find the answer in this article.

The foldable iPhone

Initially, talk about the foldable iPhone revolved mainly around two names: iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Fold. This came after the idea of Apple launching a foldable phone shifted from a distant possibility to a project that reports are now treating with greater confidence, even though Apple itself has not confirmed the existence of the device yet.

However, the name iPhone Ultra appeared later, specifically from the famous leaker account Digital Chat Station in April 2026. The name Ultra was not entirely new to Apple, as it had previously been proposed as a potential alternative to Pro Max models. Over time, the name Ultra became the most circulated name in reports regarding the foldable iPhone. Even Mark Gurman from Bloomberg recently clarified that employees inside Apple refer to the device as Ultra. But there is a striking detail in Gurman’s latest reports that might change the whole picture.

Why is Ultra not the final name?

In his latest Power On newsletter released on Sunday, August 23, Gurman discussed the foldable phone in great detail, but avoided using the name iPhone Ultra throughout the report, referring to it only as the foldable iPhone. It seems this is intentional, as Gurman, despite knowing the name used within Apple, still treats it as if it is not the final name for the device.

There is another reason why naming the foldable iPhone as iPhone Ultra is not ideal. Reports indicate that the foldable phone might come without a telephoto camera. This could make the iPhone 18 Pro superior in this specific point, which raises questions about the suitability of a name that usually implies the model carries a complete set of advanced features.

Here, a clear difference appears when comparing the phone to the Apple Watch Ultra, as the watch came equipped with what the regular version offers, in addition to an extra set of capabilities and features that justify its position as a more powerful version. Therefore, if the foldable iPhone does not offer comprehensive superiority over the Pro model, the name Ultra might not be the most consistent choice with Apple’s philosophy in naming its products.

What about iPhone Duo, Flip, and Flex?

Several other names appeared during the leaks period, including iPhone Duo, but it might give the impression of having two separate screens rather than being a foldable phone. It also brings to mind Microsoft’s previous experience with devices that relied on a dual-screen design, which makes the name less suitable for the nature of Apple’s expected phone.

As for iPhone Flip, it seems less likely, because current expectations speak of a foldable phone with a larger size that opens into a wide screen, not a traditional phone that folds in half.

The name iPhone Flex also appeared among the speculations, but it also does not seem to be the naming that Apple might eventually settle on.

Could it be the iPhone 18 Pro Fold?

If the phone is to come within the high-end category, it might make sense to use the name Pro, especially since Apple currently uses this naming for its highest-spec phones. Conversely, the name Max refers only to size, which leaves room for Apple to add a new Pro model with a different concept.

Here, the name iPhone 18 Pro Fold appears as a more logical possibility, especially since Google already uses a similar naming scheme with its foldable phone, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

But even this name does not seem certain, because Apple does not usually tend to name its products literally and directly. For example, the company did not name the MacBook Air as MacBook Light or MacBook Thin, and it relies on a set of names that it has reused across different generations, such as Air, Pro, Mini, and Plus.

The final name remains unknown

Although the name Ultra seems to be used inside Apple to refer to the foldable phone, this does not necessarily mean it is the name that will reach the stores. Even Gurman himself left the door open for speculation. This means that the final decision will be in the hands of Apple’s marketing team, and not necessarily the internal name used by employees during the development of the device.

A point of view

Considering all these data points, I personally rule out that iPhone Ultra will be the final name, even though it is currently the most circulated name inside and outside Apple. In my opinion, iPhone 18 Pro Fold seems a more logical possibility. It maintains the Pro name that Apple is accustomed to using with its highest-tier devices, and at the same time, it clarifies the nature of the foldable phone without the need to invent a completely new naming. However, this remains just a personal reading and not confirmed information, because Apple might surprise everyone with a completely different name, which makes the moment of the official unveiling of the phone one of the most anticipated moments for iPhone users and fans.

Source:

forbes