Report says Apple has overcome the iPhone Ultra foldable's two core challenges — crease and durability

Key claim

It has been reported that Apple engineers believe they have solved the two long-standing weaknesses of foldable phones: screen crease and overall durability. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, as cited by Chinese tech site IT Home (IT之家), said Apple’s team “thinks they’ve addressed display quality and overall durability,” problems that have dogged rivals' foldables for years. Analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo (郭明錤) had earlier said the inner display would be “almost crease‑free,” though Gurman reportedly added the company is using a method that reduces the crease but does not entirely eliminate it.

Design and specifications

Reportedly, the device — commonly referred to as the iPhone Ultra — will use a book‑style folding design with a roughly 7.7‑inch inner display for video, gaming and split‑screen productivity, and a smaller external screen of about 5.3 inches. Early details point to a dual rear camera array, a single front camera, and a power button with Touch ID rather than Face ID for biometric unlocking. These specifications remain unconfirmed by Apple and should be treated as provisional.

Context and significance

If true, cracking crease and durability would mark a major milestone for Apple and the broader smartphone market. Foldables have struggled to move beyond early adopters because consumers expect flagship levels of resilience and panel quality. Development also unfolds amid intensified U.S.‑China tech competition and ongoing supply‑chain scrutiny, factors that influence component sourcing and manufacturing choices for any next‑generation device. Could Apple’s engineering depth finally push foldables into the mainstream? For now, the claims are notable but unverified, and Apple has not announced a launch timeline.