Foldable iPhone design unit reviewed on video: 5.5mm thin, massive camera bump, weird buttons (with Touch ID)

After the leaked iPhone Ultra/Fold dummy unit photos, new hands-on video of the same design models seems to give us an even better look at Apple’s first foldable design.

According to the hands-on experience and footage shared by MaxTech, the design is shorter and more compact than an iPhone 17 Pro Max when folded, making it surprisingly easy to use with one hand. However, it is a "thick boy" in the pocket - measuring 11 mm when closed.

Foldable iPhone Ultra hands-on video reveals it's 0.1mm thinner than iPhone Air; much thicker than iPhone 18 Pro Max; similar to iPad mini

When unfolded, the iPhone transforms into a 5.5mm mini-er version of the iPad mini, which is a whopping 6.3mm "thick" in comparison. For the record, the iPhone Ultra/Fold dummy models are also thinner than the iPhone Air (5.6mm).

The foldable iPhone features a massive, Pixel-like, camera plateau that sits even larger than the iPhone Air's. The dummies reveal that the speakers are placed on opposite diagonal corners when unfolded, likely to create a stereo audio effect regardless of how you're holding the foldable iPhone.

Speaking of the multimedia experience, the internal display is roughly the same width as an iPhone 17 Pro Max but significantly taller, offering a screen height of 111.5 mm - nearing the immersion of an iPad Mini but with much slimmer bezels.

iPhone Fold/Ultra dummies seem to confirm return of Touch ID is; Camera Control button stays (but no volume buttons on the side)

Despite the experimental form factor, the "Camera Control" button remains present, though shifted lower on the chassis for better ergonomics, while the volume buttons (surprise, surprise) are in the top right corner.

It’s worth noting that the reason these iPhone Ultra/Fold design units seem credible is that MaxTech received and previewed design models for the iPhone 17 family (including the iPhone Air) in April 2025. Those turned out to be pretty much an exact match for the actual iPhone 17 phones launched five months later, in September. All that said, it’s always a good idea to take any leak/rumor with a grain of salt.

The iPhone Ultra/Fold and iPhone 18 Pro series are expected to debut this fall. Meanwhile, the vanilla iPhone 18 and the new iPhone Air should come in the spring of 2027.

Check out the freshly-leaked foldable iPhone Ultra confidential docs, which shows a 9.2mm design, Android-style selfie cameras, and color options.