2026 has been a year of modest upgrades and iterative changes in the smartphone world. Chances are that if you bought a phone in the last couple of years, you can relax, safe in the knowledge that you’re not missing out on anything exciting from the current crop.
That is, unless you’re an iPhone fan. 2026 is expected to be a big year for Apple, with all signs pointing towards the release of the brand’s first foldable in September. It’s widely called the iPhone Fold or the iPhone Ultra (Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says it will be classed among a new range of “Ultra” devices from Apple, which also includes AirPods and a MacBook), although we won’t know its name for sure until Apple says it on stage.
Beyond the name, there’s much more that is confirmed about the foldable iPhone, if the leaks flooding social media in advance of its launch are to be believed (they often are). For one, it’ll be a wide, Passport-style foldable and rival the rumoured Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Wide.
For another, it’ll likely only be available in two options: a silver/white or navy blue colourway. To be perfectly accurate, accounts vary as to whether it’ll be indigo, midnight or navy, but all tipsters agree that it’ll be a suitably subdued, office-friendly, dark blue.
Foundry
At the same time as it announces its first foldable, Apple is also expected to showcase the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models. These are expected to feature minor hardware updates from last year – just the same iterative changes we’re seeing from other brands.
However, thanks to a scoop from our colleagues at Macworld, we know to expect them in new colourways: there’s black, a tasteful pale blue, silver and – this year’s hero colour – Dark Cherry.
Imagine having a foldable iPhone in that colour. And keep imagining it…
Foundry
Dark Cherry replaces last year’s highly successful Cosmic Orange, which Apple has now left to its imitators. The new shade may not be as bright as its predecessor, but it’s an unusual colour for a phone, and it’ll be the most eye-catching option around. Imagine having a foldable iPhone in that colour. And keep imagining it – because Apple won’t be making it happen.
In a year in which stand-out options are a rarity, iPhone will still be making you choose between design and colour this September.
