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We never saw a release this year, but the elusive rumors of an iPhone Ultra continue to gain traction — a supersized, premium version that has been whispered about for years.
We didn’t get to see an Ultra appear at this year’s iPhone 16 launch, and we might consider that to be the final nail in the coffin of a high-end iPhone Ultra unless Apple decides to hold an irregular, surprise reveal — but maybe the idea is not fully dead.
Here we pull together the discussions and ideas about what we expect would be an iPhone 17 Ultra, including design, specs, and our wishlist.
iPhone 17 Ultra Release Date
Possible Release Date: September, 2025
Details of the iPhone 17 Ultra release date are still very sketchy. The most tangible release date for iPhone Ultra came from Mark Gurman, who, during his 2023 Bloomberg Newsletter, revealed that Apple had discussed launching a higher-end Ultra model alongside the Pro and Pro Max.
Gurman pegged 2024 as the earlier the Ultra would arrive, and as that looks unlikely, maybe the model will turn out to be the iPhone 17 Ultra.
Still, there are still some nuggets of information about what the phone may eventually be…
iPhone 17 Ultra: Design And Display
German industrial designer Jonas Daehnert shared on X in February 2023, an image of what the iPhone 17 Ultra could look like, which he described as “12mm+ thick – the Ultra concept.”
While it’s an old tweet, as a visualization of what an Ultra could look like, it is helpful:
12mm+ thick – the Ultra concept. pic.twitter.com/6SeVVeX4e6
— Jonas Daehnert (@PhoneDesigner) February 6, 2023
The titanium iPhone chassis featured rounded edges with a flat upper rim that sits flush with the display. There are also protruding Volume and Side Up & Down buttons mimicking the Apple Watch crown guard.
However, Jonas said that the image isn’t based on leaks but an exercise to see if it’s possible to adapt the Watch Ultra with a smaller Pro.
iPhone 17 Ultra Price
Estimated Launch Price: $1299 — $1399
The iPhone 17 Ultra launch price could be more difficult to predict since we don’t know when the model will be released.
But we can make educated guesses based on recent price trends. Apple’s top-of-the-line iPhone, the 16 Pro Max, arrived in September 2024 at $1,199. Add a few hundred dollars to it, and there’s Apple’s next flagship.
Our iPhone 17 Ultra Wishlist
An iPhone Ultra would be a premium smartphone. In addition to its features, the iPhone 16 has many areas that we hope Apple will improve on in its upcoming iPhone models.
We hope Apple will explore faster charging technology. The current iPhone 16 clocks in at 25W MagSafe charging.
While there are speculations on a possible larger battery and more efficient chip, having a bump in the charging speed of the next iPhone lineup would be a very big boost.
We would also like to see something like an under-display camera.
If Apple puts effort into developing this in their iPhone Ultra model, it will be a great feature that will justify the class, elegance, and price of the premium phone.
The Bottom Line
Given that competition for luxury phones has increased recently between top phone manufacturers like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, Apple now finds itself in a tight corner.
While the iPhone Pro Max models carry a lot more premium features that can match those found in brands like Samsung and Google, there are still more gaps to close. Introducing an iPhone Ultra model can usher in a new set of features and specs that can appease the almost insatiable fans’ taste for luxury smartphones.
Features like a power-efficient OLED display, expanded storage capacity, extended peak brightness, and AI integration that would follow the A18 Pro chipset and iOS 18 update will surely make a difference if they find their way into the iPhone Ultra.
