Apple is hours away from its 9 September event, where it is widely expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone. The device has been widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra, although Apple has not confirmed that name.
Reports suggest the foldable could start at about $2,000, or roughly £1,500, while some estimates have placed higher-storage versions at $2,500 or more, or around £1,900 and above.
That price would put the handset well above Apple's conventional iPhone range, making expectations unusually high. Yet the latest reports suggest the foldable may not match the iPhone 18 Pro models in every area.
The reported trade-offs do not necessarily make the foldable a bad product. Instead, they could make it a very different proposition from Apple's traditional premium iPhones. The appeal is expected to come from its folding design, larger internal display and productivity features rather than from having the highest specification in every category.
iPhone Ultra Camera and Face ID Trade-Offs
The biggest reported compromise could be the camera system. Multiple reports indicate that the foldable may use a dual-camera rear system, including a 48-megapixel main camera and an ultra-wide camera, rather than the triple-camera arrangement found on Apple's Pro models. Most notably, the device is expected to lack a dedicated telephoto camera.
That could matter to buyers who associate Apple's most expensive phones with versatile photography hardware. Mark Gurman has reportedly identified the missing telephoto lens as one of the main compromises, although he has also suggested that the foldable could remain attractive to consumers who prioritise its larger screen and overall design.
Another reported omission is variable aperture. Variable aperture is also rumoured for at least one iPhone 18 Pro model, while current reports do not indicate that the foldable will receive the feature.
Face ID could also be absent. Reports instead point to Touch ID built into the side button, with the device's roughly 4.5mm unfolded profile cited as a possible reason Apple may have opted against Face ID.
That would represent a noticeable change for long-time iPhone users, particularly those accustomed to using Face ID for unlocking the handset and authenticating apps.
Foldable iPhone Design Explains the Missing Features
The reported reason for several of these compromises is the phone's extremely thin construction. Sources indicate that the device could measure around 4.5mm when unfolded, making it considerably slimmer than many existing foldable designs.
The internal display is expected to measure roughly 7.8 inches, while the outer screen could be around 5.5 inches. The larger internal display could give the device more screen space for multitasking, reading, video and other applications when unfolded.
Reports also suggest that Apple is focusing on multitasking, with the larger display expected to support iPad-like layouts and apps running side by side. That could make the foldable more appealing for work, reading and entertainment than a conventional iPhone.
MagSafe is another area where recent reporting has been positive. Earlier dummy units did not show a MagSafe ring, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that current indications point to the foldable supporting MagSafe charging. If included, that would allow it to work with compatible MagSafe chargers and accessories.
There is also an important question over the name itself. Apple has not officially confirmed 'iPhone Ultra', and recent reporting has also referred to the device as the iPhone Fold or iPhone Duo.
That distinction matters because calling it an Ultra naturally creates expectations that it will surpass Apple's Pro phones across the board. If the reported specifications prove accurate, Apple's first foldable could be positioned around its form factor and large display, with compromises in areas such as camera hardware and biometric authentication.
The final specifications, name and price are expected to become clear when Apple takes the stage for its 'Surprise and shine' event on 9 September at 10 am Pacific Time. Until Apple makes its announcements, the reported missing features remain leaks rather than confirmed specifications.
