The Philosophy of the Foldable Form Factor
The primary appeal of foldable smartphones lies in their ability to combine multiple devices into one, allowing users to carry less while expanding their capabilities. As one tech enthusiast noted, devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 act as both a compact phone and a small tablet, eliminating the need to carry separate hardware for media consumption or productivity.
This design philosophy is central to the upcoming iPhone Ultra, which is rumored to adopt a similar passport-style form factor. However, Apple appears to be making strategic adjustments to the aspect ratio to improve the user experience.
A Shift Toward Wider Displays
While the iPhone Ultra may feature a cover display roughly the size of the discontinued iPhone 13 mini, it will offer a significantly different aspect ratio. Moving away from the tall, narrow 19.5:9 ratio of past models, the iPhone Ultra is expected to adopt a wider 3:2 ratio.
«If you plan to use your phone to consume content, this is the right phone for you,» says Avi Greengart, founder and lead analyst for Techsponential.
This wider screen is designed to make typing more comfortable and video content more immersive. When opened, the device is projected to reveal a 7.8-inch main display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, which serves as a versatile sweet spot for watching movies, reading e-books, or browsing the web.
Market Competition and the Apple Advantage
Other manufacturers have experimented with wider displays. For instance, the Huawei Pura X View utilizes a 16:9.5 ratio to provide more screen real estate than traditional flagship devices. Yet, experts suggest that a wide-screen phone without a folding mechanism may struggle to gain mainstream adoption in markets like the U.S. without the backing of major carriers.
The true advantage for the iPhone Ultra lies in Apple’s tightly controlled software ecosystem. While Android foldables have historically struggled with inconsistent app scaling, Apple’s influence ensures that its apps will be optimized for these specific aspect ratios from the outset.
Future Market Projections
Data from IDC suggests that despite entering the market later than competitors, Apple is well-positioned to dominate. Estimates indicate that the company could capture 31% of the foldable market in its debut year, potentially growing to 40% by 2027. This momentum is expected to force other major players—such as Google and Motorola—to shift their own hardware strategies toward the wider, more user-friendly foldable form factor championed by Apple.