Overview
- Multiple reports say Apple is likely to send invites this week for a keynote in early September that would introduce the iPhone 18 Pro line and a foldable device widely called the iPhone Ultra, though Apple has not confirmed the date or models.
- Journalists citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman report that early testers praised the iPhone Ultra’s pocketable fold, hinge feel and large inner display but noted it appears to lack a telephoto camera and Face ID, using Touch ID instead.
- Analysts and supply‑chain leaks point to a Pro‑focused hardware split with major upgrades concentrated in Pro SKUs, including an A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process, higher RAM and camera changes that could be gated to premium models.
- Rising memory and component costs tied to broader AI demand and wafer‑level packaging limits are reported to be forcing Apple to consider roughly $100 or more in price increases while preparing Apple Upgrade financing with partners like Klarna to reduce upfront cost pressure.
- Suppliers and leakers warn initial availability will be constrained because DRAM shortages and packaging bottlenecks will prioritize higher‑margin, limited‑supply Pro and foldable units and likely delay lower‑end iPhone 18 models into early 2027.