Apple’s rumoured foldable iPhone Ultra could enter India above Rs 2 lakh

Analyst and industry reports point to Apple’s first foldable arriving with a book-style design, 7.8-inch inner display and premium positioning. An expected price above Rs 2 lakh would make it a halo device aimed at Samsung’s foldable segment.

— Source publishedTue, 25 Aug, 2026, 13:15 IST·First seen Tue, 25 Aug, 2026, 13:42 IST·Source Financial Express · BrandWagon

What happened

Apple is reportedly preparing its first foldable, the iPhone Ultra, with a passport-style design, two rear cameras and Touch ID. Indian pricing is expected

Key facts

  • 5.5-inch outer display
  • 7.8-inch inner OLED display
  • 4.5mm unfolded thickness
  • two rear cameras
  • Rs 1.8 lakh Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 starting price
  • over Rs 2 lakh expected iPhone Ultra price

Why this matters

Apple’s foldable entry would raise the strategic value of display, hinge, component and luxury retail partnerships that can support a differentiated ultra-premium device ecosystem in India.

What to watch

  • Apple supply-chain evidence of foldable display panel orders, hinge sourcing and Foxconn assembly preparation.
  • Official confirmation of launch timing, likely initial market availability and whether India is a first-wave launch country.
  • India pricing relative to Samsung Galaxy Z Fold models after taxes, bank offers and trade-in values.
  • Carrier, bank and retailer financing plans for ticket sizes above Rs 2 lakh.
  • Reports on crease visibility, hinge durability, battery life, camera compromises and AppleCare repair pricing.
  • Samsung’s pre-emptive promotions, product-refresh timing and foldable trade-in campaigns.
  • Early pre-order mix by city, storage tier and channel, especially Apple-owned stores versus premium resellers.
  • Apple resellers and premium multi-brand retailers should prepare high-ticket pre-registration, appointment-led demos, trade-in guarantees and longer-tenure financing rather than broad discounting.
  • Samsung and other Android foldable brands should lock in upgrade offers for existing foldable users before Apple’s announcement cycle intensifies.
  • Accessory brands should develop foldable-specific cases, screen protection, power products and premium carry solutions; attachment rates may be more meaningful than handset volumes.
  • Retailers should use the launch to cross-sell AppleCare, iPad, Mac and creator-oriented services, positioning the device as a portable productivity screen rather than only a phone.
  • Premium retailers should prioritize Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai inventory allocation, with demand qualification to avoid holding costly stock.