Apple’s first foldable iPhone may arrive as the iPhone Ultra with a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch cover screen, but the rumored flagship could make several notable hardware trade-offs. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reiterated that the device is expected to use Touch ID rather than Face ID and may omit a telephoto camera entirely.
That would be an unusual configuration for what is expected to become the most expensive iPhone in Apple’s lineup. Earlier reports have placed the starting price at roughly $2,000 or more, putting greater scrutiny on the camera setup compared with the company’s Pro Max models.
The larger internal panel is said to enable better multitasking than a conventional iPhone, though the software reportedly will not offer the kind of desktop-style flexibility Apple has developed for the iPad Pro. The product is instead expected to remain primarily an iPhone that expands into a larger display when unfolded.
Apple has also reportedly tested a shorter Apple Pencil designed specifically for the foldable’s body, although the accessory is not expected to reach the market. A side-mounted fingerprint reader could help conserve internal space in a device that must accommodate a hinge, battery cells, cameras and two thin halves.
Apple is said to have scheduled its “Surprise and shine” event for September 9, where the foldable iPhone is expected to be among the announcements. Apple has not officially confirmed the iPhone Ultra name, its specifications, price or launch plans, leaving the absence of a telephoto camera as one of the key details to watch.
