[DigitalToday reporter Yeseul Kim (김예슬)] Consumers showed sharply divided reactions to the 'iPhone Ultra', which has been mentioned as Apple's first foldable phone.

TechRadar, an IT outlet, said on June 2 local time that while most survey respondents said they had no intention to upgrade, a significant number gave positive or undecided answers. It said price and specifications emerged as factors that could split demand after an actual product unveiling.

The survey was conducted via WhatsApp and Quizly, with 1,612 participants. Of them, 357 said they would switch to an iPhone Ultra, and 1,036 said they would not. Another 219 said they had not yet decided. The figures show negative responses were overwhelming, but combining positive and undecided responses brings the share to about 35 percent.

TechRadar pointed out that the iPhone Ultra could be a 'big gamble' for Apple. It said foldable phones have yet to become a mass-market product despite Samsung Electronics' efforts to expand the market, and the form factor itself may not appeal to all consumers. It also cited price as a factor weighing on initial demand, saying it 'may not be appealing to anyone'.

Still, it is hard to conclude from the survey alone that it will fail to catch on. It was also suggested that some respondents could be Android users with no intention of buying any iPhone. Taking that into account, the share of positive and undecided responses is not necessarily entirely pessimistic for Apple.

It also said the more relevant comparison may be closer to Apple's derivative product lines from the past than to its existing flagship models. Even if the iPhone Ultra is unlikely to become as mainstream a choice as the iPhone 18 Pro Max, it may draw a better response than product lines such as Plus, Air and Mini. It said the new foldable form could be a test of whether it can create niche demand within the iPhone lineup.

The outcome also carries significance for the broader foldable phone market. If Apple enters the market and generates a certain level of sales, foldable phones, which have remained in limited demand, could spread to a broader consumer base. The original article said that if the iPhone Ultra succeeds, it could 'finally push' the foldable phone industry into the mainstream market.

The remaining key variables are the product terms. So far, price and specifications have not been disclosed. TechRadar said much ultimately depends on price and specs, and it expected related information could be confirmed around September if the product launch is not delayed. It said the survey at this stage only shows the direction of potential demand, and actual conversion to purchases is expected to depend on what level of completeness and what price tag Apple presents.