New claims continue to come to the fore regarding the foldable iPhone model, which Apple has not introduced yet. According to the information shared by China-based leak source Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the company has already started preparations for iPhone Ultra 2, which will be the sequel to the first foldable iPhone model. In the same post, a more cautious picture is drawn about the future of the Air series, which stands out with its thinner design. Allegedly, the development process for iPhone Air 3 has not started yet and the fate of the model will directly depend on the sales performance of iPhone Air 2.
Rumors about Apple’s foldable iPhone model have been coming to the fore more frequently in recent months. Previous reports had suggested that the company plans to introduce its first foldable iPhone in the fall of 2026, along with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The new leak contains a detail that suggests that Apple has a long-term approach to this product category. Digital Chat Station states that the company has also approved the iPhone Ultra 2. However, there is no clear information shared about which development stage this statement indicates within Apple.
Allegedly, the second generation iPhone Ultra will retain the large foldable screen design that will be used in its predecessor. It is even stated that the same display panel can be used in the new model. Such a choice could be interpreted as Apple planning to evaluate its first generation hardware for a longer period of time or aiming to increase cost and production efficiency. However, it should be noted that the information in question is not official and Apple may change its product plans over time.
The future of the iPhone Air series may depend on sales performance
Another striking detail in the leak was about the iPhone Air series. According to the information provided by Digital Chat Station, Apple has not started working on the iPhone Air 3 yet. In addition, whether the company will develop this model will be shaped by the sales results of the iPhone Air 2, which is expected to be introduced next year. A sales performance below expectations may lead Apple to discontinue the Air series completely.
Current claims show that the iPhone Air 2 will be introduced in the spring of 2027 along with the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models. It is known that Apple has managed its product range more flexibly in recent years and can make changes in some series according to user interest. Therefore, it does not seem unlikely that the future of the Air series will be determined by the reaction of the market.
On the other hand, the foldable smartphone market continues to grow. While manufacturers such as Samsung, Honor, Huawei, OPPO and vivo offer different foldable models, Apple has not yet introduced an official product in this segment. Industry analysts evaluate that Apple aims to enter the market later and offer more mature solutions in areas such as screen durability, hinge design and software optimization. It is stated that this approach is compatible with the previous strategies followed by the company in new product categories.
For now, all of the information shared about iPhone Ultra 2 and iPhone Air 3 consists of claims based on industry sources. Apple has no official statement about its product development plans. For this reason, a clearer picture of both the road map of the foldable iPhone family and the future of the Air series will be shaped by new information and official announcements of the company in the coming period.