Apple’s first foldable iPhone, dubbed iPhone Ultra, has shipped prototype units to carriers worldwide, a move that signals the design is nearing finalization. Fixed Focus Digital posted on Weibo that production is advancing rapidly, following a prior hint that the device would use vapor‑chamber cooling in the near future stage.

The hinge will use liquid metal, an alloy Apple first licensed in 2010 that offers higher strength‑to‑weight and corrosion resistance than conventional metals. Earlier leaker Instant Digital blamed hinge failures for production delays, but Fixed Focus Digital now presents the liquid‑metal joint as a resolved feature for the foldable model.

The prototype carries a 7.8‑inch inner display, a 5.5‑inch cover, A20 chip, C2 modem, Touch ID, and dual rear cameras. Rumors peg launch at $2,000 and a September debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, positioning the Ultra as Apple’s high‑end foldable for tech enthusiasts and industry watchers who seek premium innovation.

Delivering a liquid‑metal hinge that can endure hundreds of thousands of folds removes a longstanding production roadblock and may set a new durability standard for foldables. With carrier tests underway, Apple edges closer to a commercially viable product that could redefine premium smartphone form factors for the global market in.