[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] The iPhone Ultra, widely cited as Apple's first foldable iPhone, may adopt a screen aspect ratio and form factor similar to Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Z Fold 8. A review of leaks to date suggests the two devices are likely to compete less on overall screen layout and more on usability details such as size, thickness and crease treatment.

On Aug. 10 local time, tech outlet TechRadar compared leaked information disclosed so far about the iPhone Ultra with the Galaxy Z Fold 8's specifications and said the two products' foldable screen shapes are likely to be quite similar.

The most notable part is the inner main screen. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 uses a 7.6-inch AMOLED display with 1828x2448 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio. Its peak brightness is reported to be 3,000 nits.

It keeps a fold-style structure that opens left and right like a book, but it is characterised by adopting a passport-like screen shape rather than the tall, narrow displays common in earlier foldable smartphones.

The iPhone Ultra's internal screen is expected to be around 7.7 to 7.8 inches. Specific figures vary by leak source, but recent information generally clusters in that range. Based on screen size alone, it would be slightly larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 but smaller than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which is expected to be 8 inches.

The resolution has not been confirmed. Leaker Digital Chat Station last year suggested 1920x2713 for the iPhone Ultra, but some have pointed out that the figure does not match a 4:3 aspect ratio. That leaves questions about the accuracy of some leaks, but the near-4:3 aspect ratio itself is viewed as relatively credible. TechRadar also said, citing leaked renderings, that the iPhone Ultra's internal display form is likely to be very similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Display brightness may also show little difference between the two products. The iPhone Ultra's specific brightness specifications are not yet known, but it has been suggested the first foldable iPhone could aim for a similar level given that the iPhone 17 Pro supports peak brightness of 3,000 nits.

The iPhone Ultra, though, is expected to focus more on reducing screen creases. If leaks are accurate, the crease may be less noticeable than on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 when unfolded, and the screen corners may also be more rounded.

The external cover display also appears likely to be designed in a similar direction. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 uses a 5.5-inch AMOLED cover display with 1248x1972 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. Its width is wider than typical smartphones, giving it a relatively squarer shape.

Forecasts for the iPhone Ultra's external screen differ, with one view putting it at 5.49 inches with 1422x2088 resolution and another at 5.3 inches. Based on current information, it may be similar in size to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or slightly smaller. The aspect ratio is also not confirmed, but a form close to 16:10 is expected based on leaked renderings and dummy units. In that case, differences on the external display may come down mainly to screen size.

Some differences are expected in the body dimensions. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is reported to measure 123.9x161.4x4.5 mm when unfolded and 123.9x81.9x9.7 mm when folded. The iPhone Ultra, based on leaked information, is cited at around 120.6x167.6x4.5 to 4.8 mm when unfolded and 120.6x83.8x9.0 to 9.6 mm when folded. If these figures translate into actual specifications, the iPhone Ultra would be slightly shorter and wider than the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Its unfolded thickness would be similar or slightly thicker, but it could be somewhat thinner than Samsung's product when folded.

Taken together, information disclosed so far suggests Apple is more likely to choose a passport-style screen layout similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 than a completely different form for its first foldable iPhone. That would leave competitiveness hinging less on the aspect ratio itself and more on how much the crease is reduced, how the corners are refined, and how thick and grippy it is when folded.

The iPhone Ultra specifications used in the comparison are mostly based on leaks. The final design and display size, resolution and thickness are expected to be confirmed through Apple's official announcement.