New physical mockups of upcoming Apple devices, including the presumed iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the company’s first foldable, tentatively named iPhone Ultra, have surfaced, courtesy of case manufacturers and reported by AppleInsider. These molds offer a glimpse into potential design changes and feature sets for future iPhone generations.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Familiar Dimensions
The leaked molds suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will retain similar physical dimensions to their iPhone 17 Pro predecessors. Side-by-side comparisons of the mockups indicate no significant alterations in size or the prominent camera bump. This suggests a degree of compatibility for protective cases between the iPhone 17 Pro series and the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models.
iPhone Ultra: A Glimpse at Apple’s Foldable Aspirations
Perhaps the most intriguing revelation comes from the iPhone Ultra mold. This representation of Apple’s first foldable smartphone showcases several key design elements. The mockup features a functional hinge mechanism, indicating a foldable display. It also includes pressable buttons and a dual-camera module on the rear.
Specifically, the rear camera setup on the iPhone Ultra appears to house a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle lens. Adjacent to the lenses, the mold suggests the inclusion of a True Tone flash and a LiDAR scanner, commonly found on higher-end iPhone models to enhance depth sensing for AR and low-light photography.
Internal Layout and Button Placement
The physical mockups also provide details on the button and port layout. For the iPhone Ultra, when unfolded, the volume buttons are depicted on the top-right side of the device. The camera control button and the power button are both located on the right-side frame. The USB-C port is positioned on the lower-left, and two speaker grilles are visible, strategically placed diagonally across the unfolded body.
While these are physical mockups and not definitive prototypes, they are often based on leaked schematics and factory data, providing a credible preview of what Apple might be planning. The consistent release of such molds from accessory makers ahead of new product launches has historically proven accurate in predicting design elements.
The continued focus on Pro and Pro Max models with familiar form factors, alongside the exploration of new form factors like the foldable Ultra, highlights Apple’s strategy of catering to different market segments while innovating in display technology. The inclusion of advanced features like LiDAR on the foldable suggests a high-end positioning for the iPhone Ultra, aiming to compete directly with existing foldable devices from other manufacturers.
This leak comes in the lead-up to Apple’s anticipated fall product announcements, though the iPhone 18 series and iPhone Ultra are likely still some time away, possibly targeting a 2026 release, aligning with previous rumors about Apple’s foldable ambitions and their tentative launch window.
