In the current smartphone market, various manufacturers have introduced their own "Ultra" models, which are essentially positioned as their top flagship devices. Earlier, there were rumors that Apple would also launch an "Ultra" model, but the latest speculation from the media suggests that Apple is unlikely to release the rumored iPhone 16 Ultra this year.
Media reports indicate that Mark Gurman revealed in February 2023 that Apple had discussed launching a higher-end Ultra model alongside the Pro Max, possibly on the iPhone 16 series. Considering that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could be significantly better than the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple might simply rename the Pro Max as Ultra.
Given that Apple has already introduced the Apple Watch Ultra series, the Ultra name also makes practical sense. Introducing the iPhone Ultra would position this phone more directly as a competitor to the Samsung S24 Ultra, which would be an ideal choice for Apple.
However, there have been few recent updates regarding the iPhone Ultra. Early iOS 18 code obtained by another media outlet only mentions four upcoming iPhone models, likely the iPhone 16 (D47), iPhone 16 Plus (D48), iPhone 16 Pro (D93), and iPhone 16 Pro Max (D94).
The media concluded by saying: Considering that discussions about the iPhone Ultra have subsided online and there is no real evidence or recent leaks indicating the existence of such a model in the iPhone 16 series, we believe it's unlikely to see the iPhone Ultra this year... Considering the rumored specifications of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, you can essentially consider it as the iPhone 16 Ultra. "The iPhone Ultra remains entirely possible to be released in 2025 or even further in the future, either through brand restructuring or a new model."
