[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] Apple’s first foldable iPhone is increasingly seen as likely to be released under the name “iPhone Ultra” rather than “iPhone Fold.” The Ultra label may be justified by a new foldable-specific user experience rather than specifications that surpass existing top-end models, an analysis says.

On Aug. 5, IT outlet NineToFiveMac forecast that Apple’s foldable iPhone may differentiate itself not as a simple high-spec model but by focusing on screen usability and a new interface experience.

The market has long discussed “iPhone Fold” as the name for Apple’s first foldable smartphone. Recently, however, there has been speculation that Apple could use the name “iPhone Ultra” to highlight a larger screen and an expanded usage experience.

Still, the expected specifications known so far have also raised questions about the Ultra name. The foldable iPhone may not support the telephoto camera expected to be included in the iPhone 18 Pro, and battery life could also be shorter than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, forecasts say.

Ultra models are generally seen as devices with top-level cameras, battery life and performance. Some point out that if certain hardware elements are lower than existing flagship models, a gap could emerge between the branding and the actual specifications.

But that changes if Apple positions the foldable iPhone not as the highest-spec smartphone but as an iPhone with a new way of being used.

The biggest difference is screen size. When unfolded, the foldable iPhone is expected to offer the widest display in iPhone history. Analysts say that expanding existing iPhone experiences such as watching videos, gaming, social media and work tasks by using the larger screen could be a key competitive strength.

Multitasking features enabled by the foldable form factor are drawing particular attention. If it supports placing two apps at the same time or a new app layout based on landscape view, it could change how the iPhone is used, beyond simply making the screen larger. For example, it could allow users to check email or messages on one side while browsing the web or working on documents on the other. This is a productivity experience that has been difficult to offer on existing iPhones.

A structure that divides roles between folded and unfolded states is also cited as a strength. The external screen would handle quick tasks such as checking messages or notifications, while the internal large screen would be used for content consumption and as a main workspace.

Improved input experience is also being discussed. A larger screen could expand keyboard space, reducing typos and enabling more accurate typing. Improving input, one of the most frequent actions in smartphone use, could create a noticeable difference for users, the report said. Ultimately, if Apple applies the Ultra name to its foldable iPhone, the benchmark is expected to be not the number of cameras or battery capacity, but how much it expands the iPhone experience.

NineToFiveMac assessed that the foldable iPhone could become “a product that makes the core iPhone experience bigger, better and more powerful.”

Apple has not yet disclosed the official name of its first foldable iPhone. Still, if it chooses the name “iPhone Ultra” as currently forecast, it is expected to be seen as a signal of Apple’s strategy to offer a new usage experience between tablets and laptops, rather than a simple premium model.