Samsung faces a tougher foldable battle as Apple greenlights iPhone Ultra 2

Samsung will face its toughest battle in the foldable smartphone space this year, as Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone. Ahead of its launch, the iPhone maker has reportedly greenlit the development of the iPhone Ultra 2, meaning Samsung has its work cut out for the Galaxy Z Fold 9.

Leaker Digital Chat Station claims that Apple has given the go-ahead for the second-generation foldable iPhone. The leaker also claims that the iPhone Ultra 2 will likely use the same display as the original iPhone Ultra. That means Samsung may have a chance to use an even better display for the Galaxy Z Fold 9 if it decides to take a more aggressive approach against Apple next year.

The first iPhone Ultra reportedly has a 5.5-inch cover screen and a 7.8-inch foldable inner screen. Those panels are being supplied exclusively by Samsung Display. It is also rumored to feature a 48MP + 48MP dual-camera setup on the rear, with one sensor paired with a wide-angle lens and the other with an ultrawide lens. It could also have two 18MP front-facing cameras, one for each screen.

It isn’t clear what improvements Apple plans to bring to the iPhone Ultra 2 next year. However, it would be logical for the company to equip it with a newer and more powerful processor. Apple is also unlikely to add a triple-camera setup, though it may improve the sensors.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 has a 50MP + 50MP dual-camera setup, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, and a 4,800mAh battery with 45W fast charging. Samsung could decide to one-up the iPhone Ultra 2 by equipping the Galaxy Z Fold 9 with a triple-camera system, a flagship chip (Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 Pro for Galaxy), and a higher-capacity battery.