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iPhone 18 Pro price leaks remain one of the biggest unanswered questions ahead of Apple’s September 9, 2026 iPhone event. However, the latest pricing report focuses on a different premium device: Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone Ultra.
According to market research firm International Data Corporation, or IDC, the foldable iPhone Ultra could have an average selling price of approximately $2,550. The projection offers a clearer view of Apple’s possible premium strategy, even though it does not confirm the price of the standard iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, or any other models expected at the launch event.
iPhone 18 Pro Price Leaks Remain Unconfirmed
Apple has not officially announced pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Reports and rumors surrounding the September event have discussed several new iPhone models, but the available information does not provide a verified retail price for the iPhone 18 Pro.
That distinction matters. The rumored foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to be a substantially different product from the iPhone 18 Pro. It could feature a larger flexible display, a book-style folding design, and a higher-end configuration aimed at customers willing to pay a premium for a new form factor.
Some analysts have reportedly placed the foldable iPhone’s starting price above $2,000, with one estimate suggesting a launch price of about $2,399. A configuration with additional storage could cost as much as $3,000. Those figures are projections, not confirmed Apple pricing.
Powerful IDC Forecast Signals a Major Foldable Push
IDC’s forecast goes beyond the expected price. The research firm projects that Apple could sell more than 17 million foldable iPhone Ultra units by the end of 2027. At an average selling price of $2,550, that would generate more than $45.7 billion in revenue from the foldable device.
IDC also expects Apple to capture roughly 40 percent of the global foldable smartphone market. The company could account for more than half of the category’s total value, largely because of the device’s unusually high price compared with many existing foldable phones.
Nabila Popal, senior research director of IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, said Apple’s entry could significantly change the market’s direction. Without Apple, IDC believes foldable smartphone shipments might decline at a double-digit rate year over year.
That forecast suggests the iPhone Ultra could become an immediate rival to Samsung and Huawei, which have held influential positions in the global foldable market. Popal described Apple’s potential challenge to those companies as an extraordinary outcome for a product that would be less than two years into its lifecycle.
Why the Foldable iPhone Could Cost So Much
Flexible display technology remains expensive to manufacture, particularly when combined with a premium processor, advanced cameras, a thin hinge system, and a durable chassis. Apple could also reserve the foldable iPhone Ultra for higher storage tiers, pushing its average selling price well above the entry-level figure.
The term “average selling price” is especially important. It does not necessarily mean every customer will pay $2,550. Instead, the number can reflect a blend of lower-priced base models and more expensive versions with larger storage capacities or upgraded components.
Apple’s pricing strategy could therefore start below the IDC estimate while still producing a $2,550 average. For buyers, the final cost may depend heavily on storage, carrier offers, trade-in credits, taxes, and regional pricing.
What the 2026 iPhone Event Could Clarify
Apple’s September 9 event is expected to provide the first official answers about the company’s upcoming smartphone lineup. If the foldable iPhone Ultra appears, Apple could reveal its name, screen design, hinge technology, storage options, release schedule, and starting price.
The event may also clarify how the foldable model fits alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple could position the Pro models as its traditional flagship phones while presenting the Ultra as a luxury device for customers seeking a tablet-sized display in a pocketable design.
For now, the safest conclusion is that iPhone 18 Pro price leaks are still unresolved. The $2,550 projection applies to the rumored foldable iPhone Ultra, not necessarily to the conventional Pro lineup. More reliable pricing information should arrive when Apple makes its official announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rumored price of the foldable iPhone Ultra?
IDC projects an average selling price of about $2,550. Other analyst estimates have suggested a starting price near $2,399, with premium storage configurations potentially approaching $3,000.
Are the iPhone 18 Pro price leaks confirmed?
No. Apple has not officially confirmed the price of the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max. Current reports should be treated as speculation until Apple announces the devices.
How many foldable iPhones could Apple sell?
IDC expects Apple to sell more than 17 million foldable iPhone Ultra units by the end of 2027.
When could Apple reveal the foldable iPhone?
The foldable iPhone Ultra is expected to be discussed during Apple’s September 9, 2026 iPhone event, although Apple has not confirmed every product planned for the presentation.
