Apple's near future is taking shape with an imminent launch and a strategic delay. On one side, the first foldable iPhone will arrive in September as the iPhone Ultra, and a Weibo leak from Ice Universe shows the white color as the first confirmed option. On the other side, a cheaper, lighter successor to the Apple Vision Pro is not expected before late 2028, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Here is what we know.
iPhone Ultra: White Color and Limited Palette
The image from the Chinese leaker shows a presumed dummy unit in white. Another source, Instant Digital, confirms that white is the only confirmed finish so far. Color choices will be limited: Gurman states Apple will avoid vibrant colors, sticking to space gray and silver/white, similar to the iPhone X approach from 2017. The expected price exceeds $2,000 and production volumes will be constrained, with Ming-Chi Kuo warning of manufacturing challenges through at least the end of 2026. Adding more colors would increase complexity and cost for an already difficult-to-produce device.
Vision Pro: Successor Delayed to 2028
In his Power On newsletter, Gurman writes that Apple is working on a slimmer, less expensive Vision Pro successor, but a launch is not expected before late 2028 or 2029. The so-called "Vision Air" project has been cancelled. Focus has shifted to Apple smart glasses, expected in late 2027, with former Vision Products Group members reassigned. The Vision Pro was refreshed in October 2025 with an M5 chip.
Market Implications
Apple's strategy for 2026-2028 is clear: bet on a breakthrough foldable device with a deliberately classic color palette to simplify the supply chain, and keep the premium headset on hold until it can truly reduce price and weight. For industry watchers, the comparison between the iPhone Ultra and Android foldables will be the hot topic this fall. Learn the fundamentals of cryptography to understand Apple device security in our advanced developer guide.
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