The iPhone Ultra is set to have a huge influence on the design of smartphones, and perhaps not in the ways that you think.
We all have a good sense of what Apple is going to offer with its inaugural foldable device. All rumours point to an iPhone Ultra with a slightly more squashed book-style foldable form factor.
The key is that rather than the broadly square aspect ratio of most full-sized foldables to date (think the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, pictured below), Apple is producing a device that resembles a compact iPad with something approaching a 4:3 aspect ratio when open.
its new phone could have an unexpected effect on non-foldable phones, too.
Luke Baker
When closed up, the phone is going to provide a more passport-style aspect ratio for its display, potentially a rather unusual 14.6:10.
Whatever the precise figures, we’re going to be looking at a serious departure from current norms – and that’s going to affect phone design in some interesting ways.
Obviously, there are going to be foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, which has clearly been inspired by the iPhone Ultra, even if it’s set to launch first.
Apple has more influence and its new phone could have an unexpected effect on non-foldable phones, too.
Long time no see, shorty
For one thing, we might actually see a return to an older, shorter screen aspect ratio.
The current standard for phones (both foldable and non-foldable) is 19.5:9 – tall, narrow displays that supply maximum screen space while remaining relatively comfortable to hold in your hand.
But phones didn’t used to be like this. Ten years ago, the iPhone 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 both gave us screens with a much stouter 16:9 aspect ratio, and they were far from alone.
There are signs that manufacturers might take a successful iPhone Ultra launch as a reason to roll back to something similar.
Don’t be surprised, then, if 2027 and 2028 see the return of a smartphone format last seen around the time of the first Trump inauguration.
Foundry
Rolling back the years
Reports from China suggest that Huawei is working on a new phone with a stubbier 16:9 or even 16:10 display.
The company seems to essentially be taking its Huawei Pura X foldable – which itself seems to be another response to those iPhone Ultra leaks – and producing a regular non-foldable take on that phone’s shorter cover display.
Huawei isn’t quite the global force it once seemed set to be, of course, but it remains the biggest smartphone brand in China, and thus remains a significant player. If it’s testing the waters with a 16:9(ish) non-foldable smartphone, you can rest assured that other major brands are considering it too.
Huawei
I suspect that much will depend on how much of a hit the iPhone Ultra proves to be. With pricing rumoured to start from $2,000, there’s no guarantee that it’ll go mainstream.
It remains the case, however, that where Apple goes, the rest of the smartphone industry follows. That’s certainly the case when it comes to smartphone design, as the legion of me-too iPhone 17-a-likes goes to show.
Don’t be surprised, then, if 2027 and 2028 see the return of a smartphone format last seen around the time of the first Trump inauguration.
Topic: Phones could get weird after iPhone Ultra. I’m here for it (Read 1051 times)
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May 03, 2025, 04:56:38 PM