Popular American technology reviewer Lewis Hilsenteger has published video footage showing what he claims is a prototype of Apple's first foldable smartphone. Hilsenteger, who operates the Unbox Therapy channel, presented the mock-up of the prospective iPhone 18 Ultra a week before its expected official announcement.
Indian news agency WION reported that the presenter obtained the prototype from an anonymous contact based in China. Hilsenteger said the same source has supplied him with early hardware units for several years, all of which accurately matched Apple's final production handsets. Because of that track record, he expressed confidence that the physical model represents the finished hardware Apple intends to showcase.
The device features a book-style folding mechanism that opens horizontally, mirroring the design approach used by competing foldable handsets. The exterior shell houses a secondary display screen, while a dual main camera module is mounted on the rear panel.
Hardware specifications and screen dimensions
According to details from numerous industry leaks, the exterior display measures approximately 5.5 inches diagonally, while the interior foldable screen spans roughly 7.8 inches. When fully opened, the overall footprint of the mobile device closely resembles Apple's iPad Mini tablet.
The prototype shown in the video features a white chassis with a matte finish and a glossy Apple logo on the rear cover. The casing features an unusual asymmetrical contour, with two corners given a standard curve and the remaining two corners given a more pronounced rounding. A dedicated cut-out area for the front-facing selfie camera is situated in the upper left corner of the internal display.
Viewer feedback and upcoming announcements
The preview video accumulated two million views shortly after publication, though audience reactions to the hardware design proved mixed. Multiple viewers highlighted a prominent crease down the center of the flexible display and a bulky hinge mechanism, arguing that both features compromised the overall aesthetic.
Other commentators noted that the phone appears relatively short when folded shut, claiming the design fails to match expectations for a device that Apple spent years developing.
Unbox Therapy is one of YouTube's most widely followed technology channels, established by Hilsenteger to review consumer electronics and mobile hardware. Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, California, launched the original iPhone in 2007 and produces personal technology devices. The company's iPad Mini tablet line is a compact computing device with a screen size around eight inches.
Apple is scheduled to host a major hardware presentation on September 9. In addition to its newest smartphone lineup, the company is anticipated to unveil the Apple Watch Series 12, the Apple Watch Ultra 4, and fifth-generation AirPods. Rumors suggest that the entry-level base iPhone 18 model has been delayed until the spring of 2027.
Ukrainian news agency UNIAN reported that Apple has several other hardware updates in development that could launch either at the September event or later in 2026. Those upcoming products include the 12th-generation iPad, an updated Apple TV media player, and a new HomePod smart speaker.
