Foldable 'iPhone Ultra' Still Likely to Be Missing These Five Features

[Daniel Alvarez Arribas]

Just imagine again not being able to authenticate in Winter with gloves...

 

[Shirasaki]

The most ultra iPhone without all the features existing in other flagship? Naming doesn’t bother me one bit on purchasing decisions but Apple probably just call it iPhone fold and be done with it, just saying.

 

[Daniel Alvarez Arribas]

If true, Apple is doubling down on their new habit of releasing higher-priced products with less features. The logic of doing so is completely beyond me.

If it is about slimness, even the iPhone Air supports MagSafe and features FaceID and an Action button.

Why on earth would you make a 2K+ product essentially derive from an iPhone SE feature set, before adding other stuff in?

 

[ofarlig]

If true, Apple is doubling down on their new habit of releasing higher-priced products with less features. The logic of doing so is completely beyond me.

If it is about slimness, even the iPhone Air supports MagSafe and features FaceID and an Action button.

Why on earth would you make a 2K+ product essentially derive from an iPhone SE feature set, before adding other stuff in?

It just have other features than the other phones, mainly having 2 displays in 1 phone and one of them being foldable. Maybe Apple could have fit more in but it would most likely have pushed the price even higher.

 

[TVreporter]

It’s also missing an acceptable selling price … and my future ownership.

 

[seapat]

thank you to whoever pays the +$2000 to beta test the first iteration

 

[MrMacintoshIII]

I have a feeling pencil support will be announced because honestly what the laughable **** if it isn’t.

 

[awshucks]

I’m simply curious: What are you using it for that makes this a deal-breaker? For me i’t just a fast access to calculator.

Play/Pause shortcut. I use it all the time.

 

[Velli]

Play/Pause shortcut. I use it all the time.

Thanks, interesting. I do that on the AirPods, or the on-wheel button in the car. But always interesting to learn about other people’s custom settings 👍

 

[Bruce205]

Let’s look at the iPhone Fold for a moment as if it were two separate devices.

As an iPhone

• Thicker and heavier than a traditional iPhone
• Narrower and more awkward outer display
• Less comfortable to use one-handed
• Bulkier in your pocket
• Possible compromises in battery capacity
• Potential compromises in camera hardware
• More limited internal space due to the folding mechanism
• Potentially worse thermal performance
• Less rigid and solid than a traditional slab phone
• More expensive to repair

As an iPad

• Much smaller display than a traditional iPad and even iPad mini
• Less ideal aspect ratio for productivity
• Potentially less comfortable for long reading sessions
• Less suitable for watching movies and other video content
• Limited space for multitasking
• Smaller keyboard and typing experience
• Less practical for creative work
• Does not support Apple Pencil
• Smaller battery than a traditional iPad
• The crease is visible and noticeable while using the display
• The folding design may make it less stable when used on a desk or lap

General Compromises

• A more fragile and complex structure
• A folding mechanism that can wear out over time
• Greater risk of damage from drops
• A more vulnerable display
• More expensive repairs
• More moving parts that can potentially fail
• Possible dust and debris issues around the hinge
• Water resistance may be more difficult to achieve
• Higher manufacturing complexity
• A significantly higher price
• Potentially shorter long-term durability compared to traditional devices

These compromises essentially mean having a worse iPhone and a worse iPad and it will cost $2,500.

This is ultimately the key question with the iPhone Fold: Does the convenience of having both form factors in a single device outweigh all the compromises required to make that possible?

Very good thoughtful post sir. Kudos to you!!

 

[Coreymac84]

The action button while a nice option is rarely used here. A feature I’m okay with not having.

please get rid of the extra touch sensitive camera button also across the Pro line, that thing has been nothing but a nuisance.

 

[fj_doebz]

Let’s look at the iPhone Fold for a moment as if it were two separate devices.

As an iPhone

• Thicker and heavier than a traditional iPhone
• Narrower and more awkward outer display
• Less comfortable to use one-handed
• Bulkier in your pocket
• Possible compromises in battery capacity
• Potential compromises in camera hardware
• More limited internal space due to the folding mechanism
• Potentially worse thermal performance
• Less rigid and solid than a traditional slab phone
• More expensive to repair

As an iPad

• Much smaller display than a traditional iPad and even iPad mini
• Less ideal aspect ratio for productivity
• Potentially less comfortable for long reading sessions
• Less suitable for watching movies and other video content
• Limited space for multitasking
• Smaller keyboard and typing experience
• Less practical for creative work
• Does not support Apple Pencil
• Smaller battery than a traditional iPad
• The crease is visible and noticeable while using the display
• The folding design may make it less stable when used on a desk or lap

General Compromises

• A more fragile and complex structure
• A folding mechanism that can wear out over time
• Greater risk of damage from drops
• A more vulnerable display
• More expensive repairs
• More moving parts that can potentially fail
• Possible dust and debris issues around the hinge
• Water resistance may be more difficult to achieve
• Higher manufacturing complexity
• A significantly higher price
• Potentially shorter long-term durability compared to traditional devices

These compromises essentially mean having a worse iPhone and a worse iPad and it will cost $2,500.

This is ultimately the key question with the iPhone Fold: Does the convenience of having both form factors in a single device outweigh all the compromises required to make that possible?

You’ve basically padded your list saying potential “less durable” 12 different ways. And neglect to mentions the multitude of positives it provides.

 

[Nickerbocker]

It is super anecdotal but the Android users I know who tried foldable phones went back to the basic rectangle. I applaud trying different things and wish they would do that more in the Watch space. I'm not sure this is for me though.

 

[awshucks]

please get rid of the extra touch sensitive camera button also across the Pro line, that thing has been nothing but a nuisance.

You do realize you could disable light presses or the button entirely, right?

 

[Ramchi]

thank you to whoever pays the +$2000 to beta test the first iteration

It is not even $2000, it is a gimmick, it starts at $2000 with the lamest storage option of 256 GB which the buyers of this device would have already easily consumed in their iPhones. Most likely the prospective buyers would only target 1 TB minimum or 2 TB editions which could be above $3000-$3200 plus Apple Care (a must for such devices) for years. It is not $2000 for sure much more than that!

 

[Moukee]

• Face ID/TrueDepth camera array

This is the biggest miss in terms of convenience for me. But it's not like Touch ID is unusable.

• Telephoto camera/third rear camera

I used to mostly use the ultra-wide and regular (wide) lens on my iPhone Pro devices, but with the 17 Pro I think I actually use the telephoto more than the ultra-wide now, so I kind of wish they would include one in the foldable iPhone. Not a huge deal either way though, as the main lens is by far the most important.

• Action button

I use the action button together with geofenced focus modes, so it opens a shopping list in a grocery store for example. But I guess using one of the two buttons on the lock screen to run the same shortcut isn't that much worse.

• Physical SIM card slot

Great, actually. I use eSIMs for years so it's a waste of space in my European iPhone 17 Pro - I'd rather have the larger battery capacity of the US models.

• mmWave 5G

Again, not relevant in Europe anyway.

 

[123ABCDN]

Why is there an article for the “iPhone Ultra” for “What to expect from the iPhone Ultra” and another for “What not to expect” isn’t that the same thing?

 

[123ABCDN]

Anyone else wondering what the point is for a camera on the interior, unfolded screen if there isn’t FaceID? Because when unfolded there’s the exterior screen that has a camera, and two main cameras. So, one could simply unfold the “iPhone Ultra”, flip the phone around, and have a total of 3 cameras for a selfie, along with a screen.

 

[cybercommand]

Ripoff. Ain’t paying that much for a phone that folds with no features. I might as well get a flip phone.

 

[123ABCDN]

If the rumors are correct, there are actually 3 cameras. One for the exterior screen when folded and the two “main” cameras. Now, if the camera for the exterior screen is comparable to one of the cameras of the iPhone Pro, and can be used in conjunction with the two main cameras, then the lack of camera argument is null and void.

 

[123ABCDN]

I'd rather have a Telephoto than an Ultra Wide camera TBH. I never take wide shots but I do zoom, e. g. at concerts

But if the camera on the exterior screen is in fact a telephoto camera, then when the “iPhone Ultra” is opened, you have 3 cameras. I doubt that is the case, but it is possible.

 

[nateo200]

I would think Touch ID appeals to a certain demographic. Think the missing features, if true, will show up in v2.

Agreed. I don’t think characterizing the Ultra as “reverting back to TouchID” should be framed as a negative. A lot of people that have both on their android phones prefer Touch ID over Face ID.

 

[nateo200]

Lack of physical SIM was expected. Missing a telephoto lens is a huge disappointment. Hopefully in two to three years there will be a zoom lens. FaceID is very convenient to use and not having it is bad but can do without. I don't think I will purchase one without a telephoto lens.

I wish they would have done an Ultra Wide and a telephoto lens with the standard lens being the front facing camera that serves double duty. You’d have to open the phone a certain way but yeah.

 

[vi2867]

If Apple would wait a couple of more years and add all the features that the pro line has, then it would make sense. Trying to justify paying over $2K for a phone that does less is really frustrating. I hope my willpower will stop me from buying an iPhone Fold that costs more than my MacBook Pro M5. This reminds me of the 90s where I could not afford Macs.