Latest iPhone rumors: Ultra price, delays, and iOS 27 beta 3
The latest iPhone rumors center on a foldable iPhone Ultra unveiled in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, but shipping weeks later at roughly $2,300–$2,500. Supply chain reports say mass production is underway, though retail availability may slip to Q4. Apple TV 4K may wait for Siri AI, and iOS 27 beta 3 adds fresh tweaks.
Key Takeaways
- Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to announce the foldable iPhone Ultra with the iPhone 18 Pro models in September, with pre-orders starting later—similar to the iPhone X launch pattern.
- Reports peg the Ultra at roughly $2,300–$2,500, about double the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with strong demand potentially stretching delivery times to four to six weeks.
- Supply chain sources told Cailian Press that mass production is underway, though analysts warn limited early yields could mean constrained retail stock rather than a full launch delay.
- A long-awaited Apple TV 4K refresh may hold until Siri AI arrives in iOS 27, while iOS 27 beta 3 brings Siri customization and Photos and Shortcuts improvements.
What is the iPhone Ultra and when will it launch?
Apple's annual iPhone event is roughly two months away, and the biggest question is not whether the foldable iPhone Ultra appears—it is when buyers can actually order one. MacRumors reports that Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple will repeat the iPhone X playbook: unveil the Ultra the same day as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but open pre-orders weeks later.
Mashable notes that Kuo shared the timeline in a post on X, predicting shipping could begin about a month after the September announcement. TechRepublic adds a counterpoint from supply chain sources who told Chinese outlet Cailian Press that production is progressing as planned and that a September delivery window remains possible.
Still, analyst Wang Xiaoya of Sigmaintell told China Business News that Apple could hold its September event while delaying retail sales until October or November because of foldable display, cover glass, and hinge manufacturing challenges. For more Apple hardware and streaming updates, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
How much will the iPhone Ultra cost?
Pricing is where the latest iPhone rumors get especially eye-catching. According to Mashable, Kuo now estimates the Ultra at roughly $2,300–$2,500—a range he shared after previously floating $2,000 to $2,500. That would put it at about twice the cost of the current iPhone 17 Pro Max flagship.
Kuo still expects the device to sell out quickly after pre-orders open, with delivery lead times stretching four to six weeks or longer through December. TechRepublic suggests limited initial manufacturing yields could keep early inventory tight even if the September unveiling stays on schedule.
Is Apple delaying the Apple TV 4K for Siri AI?
Not every headline this week was about folding phones. MacRumors recap notes the Apple TV 4K has not been updated since 2022, and a refresh is planned for 2026. However, Apple may wait to launch the new box until Siri AI debuts in iOS 27, tying living-room hardware to the software story Apple wants to tell this fall.
That timing would align the next Apple TV with the broader AI push already visible in iOS 27 beta releases. For full details on the TV refresh and beta changes, MacRumors' weekly roundup remains the primary source.
What's new in iOS 27 beta 3?
While hardware rumors dominated headlines, Apple also shipped iOS 27 beta 3 to developers this week. MacRumors reports the update makes Siri more customizable, adds a new wallpaper action, and improves Photos and Shortcuts ahead of a planned September launch.
Public betas of iOS 27 and related updates were expected to arrive sometime in July, giving everyday users a chance to test the same refinements before the final release. Together with the iPhone Ultra chatter, the beta cycle signals Apple is locking in both its next phone lineup and the software that will sell it.