After years of speculation, leaks, and industry rumors, Apple’s long-awaited foldable smartphone, widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra, is expected to make its debut later this year. While details surrounding the device have surfaced repeatedly over the past few years, the latest reports highlight a technology Apple has been quietly developing and refining for more than a decade.
According to Chinese tipster Fixed-focus Digital Cameras, Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to feature a liquid metal hinge, a component designed to improve durability and reduce wear in the device’s folding mechanism. The source claims the information effectively confirms earlier reports from respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who previously suggested that liquid metal would play a key role in the foldable iPhone’s hinge design.
The latest leak also suggests that prototype devices have already been distributed to carriers and strategic partners, lending credibility to recently surfaced images that allegedly show the iPhone Ultra in real-world testing.
A Technology Apple Has Pursued Since 2010
Apple’s interest in liquid metal technology dates back to 2010, when the company secured exclusive licensing rights to a range of advanced metal alloys developed by inventors Atakan Peker and Bill Johnson. The materials were originally created at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and quickly attracted attention for their unique combination of strength, flexibility, and durability.
Although Apple has largely used the material in small components, such as SIM ejector tools, its licensing agreement with Liquidmetal Technologies has remained active for years, with the partnership renewed in 2015.
What Is Liquid Metal?
Despite its name, liquid metal is not actually liquid under normal conditions. Instead, it refers to a family of metallic glass alloys engineered to offer superior mechanical properties compared to conventional metals.
The material is known for its high tensile strength, exceptional resistance to corrosion, impressive elasticity, and strong wear resistance. It can also be molded using manufacturing processes similar to those used for thermoplastics, making it an attractive option for complex components such as foldable smartphone hinges.
Beyond consumer electronics, liquid metal alloys have been used in products ranging from golf clubs and luxury watches to industrial equipment requiring high durability.
Rumored iPhone Ultra Specifications
Based on the latest leaks, the foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a book-style folding design with a large internal display and premium flagship hardware.
Rumored Specifications:
- Dimensions (Unfolded): 120.6 x 167.6 x 4.7 mm
- Dimensions (Folded): 120.6 x 83.8 x 9.2 mm
Main Display
- 7.76-inch Foldable LTPO OLED
- 120Hz refresh rate
- HDR10+ support
- Resolution: 1920 x 2713 pixels
Cover Display
- 5.49-inch LTPO OLED
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Ceramic Shield protection
- Resolution: 1422 x 2088 pixels
Processor
- Apple 3nm chipset
Memory Options
- 256GB storage with 12GB RAM
- 512GB storage with 12GB RAM
- 1TB storage with 12GB RAM
Camera System
- 48MP primary camera with optical image stabilization
- 48MP ultra-wide camera
- 18MP additional multi-aspect camera
Battery
- 5,800mAh capacity
Expected Price
- Approximately $2,000
While Apple has yet to officially confirm the device, the growing volume of leaks suggests the company is nearing the launch of its first foldable smartphone. If the reports prove accurate, the iPhone Ultra could introduce one of Apple’s longest-developed technologies into one of its most ambitious products to date.
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