Apple’s folding iPhone Ultra leaks again, shows off white finish

If you’re hoping Apple’s first folding iPhone Ultra will land in a crazy finish like orange or dark red like some of its existing and rumoured iPhone counterparts, you might want to temper your expectations.

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A newly leaked image claims to show Apple’s rumoured folding iPhone in white. The image, shared by regular Apple leaker Ice Universe on Weibo, appears to show a dummy unit rather than a functioning device, but fellow leaker Instant Digital claims that white is currently the only colour believed to be locked in. According to multiple reports, Apple is expected to keep colour options for its first foldable deliberately limited.

One supply-chain report cited by Macworld suggests that a second finish could arrive in an indigo shade similar to the rumoured Deep Blue colour expected for the iPhone 17 Pro. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, meanwhile, has previously reported that Apple plans to avoid bold colours altogether, instead sticking with more traditional silver, white, black, and grey tones.

If true, this approach wouldn’t be entirely out of character. When Apple launched the iPhone X in 2017, it was only available in Silver and Space Grey – the company often takes a more conservative approach when introducing entirely new product categories.

There may also be other practical reasons behind the decision. Folding smartphones are still significantly more complex to manufacture than conventional handsets, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously warned that supply could remain constrained well into 2026. Keeping the colour lineup small helps simplify production for a device that’s already expected to be difficult and expensive to build.

Current rumours suggest that Apple’s foldable iPhone could launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro range this September and cost more than $2000, although Apple’s plans for the device remain unconfirmed.

If the leaks are accurate, Apple’s first foldable may prioritise exclusivity over colourful self-expression, but we’ll have to wait for the official announcement later this year for the full facts.

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Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.