Gurman: iPhone Ultra Wows Early Testers, Except for Its Camera

[Mac Fly (film)]

The 5.5" outer display sounds like a perfect iPhone Mini update.
😃

Not really as this will be a more complex device and far more costly. IMO Apple should offer a consumer line of slab phones in three sizes (5.7 inches, 6.3 inches, and 6.9 inches), calling them simply "iPhone" (without plus, max or mini branding), and an "Ultra" line of slab phones in those same three sizes: better cameras, thicker battery, pro chip. And then their foldable should be called Apple Fold, with a larger model with better cameras, thicker battery and better chip named Apple Fold Ultra.

iPhone/iPhone Ultra, Apple Fold/Apple Fold Ultra. Clearly named, easy to digest and understand lineup in a nice selection of sizes. All other iPhones could go away.

Incidentally, I believe the name "iPhone mini" caused its sales to be somewhat lower than it could have been, as the mini in reality wasn't as small as the impression its name gave. 5.7 inches is the more sweet spot size, making the smallest model smaller than the middle model by the same amount the biggest model is bigger (0.6 inches).

 

[Takeo Apple]

I would bet money that it will be called the iPhone Unfold - not fold - fold is negative. Apple does not do negative terms.

 

[Takeo Apple]

Or notebook - iPhone Notepad -

 

[LouisMac90]

It will be interesting to see how they differentiate when it comes to iOS updates in the future. With the next big iOS at WWDC next year for example, will they make multitasking only features for the foldable iPhone and give other features to the slab phones.

I’m looking to see if I will be able to replace my iPad with the iPhone foldable. I only use it to watch content such as YouTube, Apple TV+ and listen to music and read books.

That is a very good point, I think to start it will just operate as a smaller iPad and future releases of iOS will hopefully bring more multitasking functions. I got rid of my iPad Pro for a Macbook Air but for when I am in the office Monday to Friday not having to take my Macbook in to watch F1 Qualifying for example like I did Friday just pulling out my phone will be a game changer. I am not really fussed about price its going to be expensive (£2k cannot be anymore lol) I just hope the rumors are wrong with regards to release date and it drops the following week like the regular iPhone releases.

 

[jclardy]

The "camera viewfinder" one is interesting to me, as someone using a Fold 8 now.

With standard cameras (like the Fold 8) you have to choose which display it is optimized for. The F8 chose (correctly) the outer display, since most people want to grab their phone and take a photo. The problem is, the outer display is in portrait orientation (relative to the camera) and when you unfold it, the inner display is in landscape. That means on the F8 when you use the camera on the inner display it has huge pillarboxing, because it is taking a portrait photo while the phone is in landscape.

This makes me think we may be seeing a new upgrade nobody is talking about - octagonal sensors in the main/ultrawide. Meaning they can take landscape or portrait photos in either orientation. Just like the front facing camera in the 17 series. Which honestly, would be a huge camera upgrade as it would make all the cameras way more flexible and easier to shoot with.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

I would bet money that it will be called the iPhone Unfold - not fold - fold is negative. Apple does not do negative terms.

The rumored name is "iPhone Ultra". Wouldn't name it that myself, but Apple gonna Apple.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Or notebook - iPhone Notepad -

Neither of those do I love. Personally I'd name it Apple Fold, leaving room for a high-end Apple Fold Ultra next year. In thinking "fold" sounds negative you are too close to the name. Just as being too close to the name "iPad" makes it sound like a lady product.

 

[Ctrlos]

The rumored name is "iPhone Ultra". Wouldn't name it that myself, but Apple gonna Apple.

Seems like as good a time as ever to bring back the iBook nomenclature. Given the risk involved in unseen hardware failures/klutzy owners tarnishing the iPhone brand I think they shouldn't use that name in marketing at all. Sell it as a new class of device, with its own OS fork.

 

[macbookj0e]

I think we are in an era where nobdoy needs to have that level of compromise when it comes to a camera. The best camera is the one you have with you and many of us use DSLR/Mirrorless cameras already, but don't want to be carrying it around daily. Smartphones cameras have gotten so good now and the standard raises every single year. The fact we are even discussing a future iPhone that is pitched as a premium device, but lacking a top tier camera is quite incredible IMO. I am sure some will say a bigger screen is more beneficial (to them) than having a Pro spec camera, but that is exactly why this device will remain very niche in the market. I am sure Apple will be very clever with their marketing and say very little about the camera during the keynote, much like they did with the camera control button last year after hyping it up so much in 2024.

Absolutely agree but assume you were replying to my other comment and not about the mini? If not that was a terrible response 🤭🤣 jk

 

[123ABCDN]

I find it very telling when the raves are only about the hinge mechanism, how it fits in a pocket, and the software. Have any of these “reviewers” tried any folding devices from other companies? Why wasn’t there any mention of the inner screen compared to competing products, and its’ durability? Why wasn’t one of the “wow” factors about the actual design of the “iPhone Ultra”?

 

[macbookj0e]

I've recently done this!
With the omission of a telephoto on the Ultra/Fold in mind and my increasing interest in photography, I bought myself a nice MFT camera (OM-5 MkII) with a 14-150mm lens.

Yes I now carry another device on my walks but the OM5 is compact enough to not be an issue.

Ah great minds think alike! 😊

Hope it works out well for you though it won’t be for everyone of course.

 

[123ABCDN]

Same here. And if it's the same general aspect ratio as the Fold 8, I'm not going to like the front screen, no matter how much influencers want to hype this up. A screen at that size is just too short.

I thought the same but I managed to play with a Samsung Fold 8 and it’s quite nice. I will say it does look MILES ahead design-wise, of the renders of the “iPhone Ultra”. The Fold has symmetry. I suggest going into a store and try a Fold 8 for yourself, to get an idea of the “iPhone Ultra”.

 

[123ABCDN]

I don’t understand the point of a folding
phone with their current limitations - too thick, fragile, camera, lack of Face ID, and price. I use my phone when I’m out and my Mac or iPad when I’m home.

Seems like a massive compromise for a slightly larger screen (but still way to small to get things done).

But you see, it’s only a smaller screen when compared to current iPhones. BUT when the outer screen of the “iPhone Ultra” is so small, the inner screen is MUCH bigger.

 

[123ABCDN]

I tried the new Samsung foldable that’s the same size as the iPhone ultra and it’s incredible. All the doubters will be eating crow very soon. It’ll be a game changer for Apple.

Or a game changer for Samsung. Comparing the aesthetics of the “iPhone Ultra” to the Samsung Foldable, the Samsung wins by a LARGE margin. The ASYMMETRY is off putting. And if you compare the “iPhone Ultra” to the cheaper, less desired, Pixel Fold, you will notice how similar they look. Apple will have to make sure to have the “iPhone Ultra” displays in non-Apple stores, FAR away from the foldables of competitors.

 

[123ABCDN]

it will be funny to see an actual movie playing on this size. enjoy those black bars.

That is a fact. I cannot wait to see how much more true watchable area there will be when compared to a larger non-foldable phone.

 

[zogzog]

Why not go for an iPhone ultra and then get a dlsr or something for your photography?

Best of both worlds though yes granted you’d have to carry another device around…?

The whole point of a good smartphone camera is that you don't have to carry that second device around. My six year old EOS R5 wipes the floor with any smartphone in existence today, and will probably continue to do so six years from now, but I'm not taking that brick (two bricks, if you include a second lens) out with me unless I specifically intend to seek out photogenic settings.

 

[Tommy82]

If the iPhone Ultra has a worse camera than the cheaper Pro, I’m 100% out

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

I don’t care that much about cameras, but I don’t care about folding either so I really don’t know if I’m the market for this or not

They say the best product isn’t he one you don’t even know you want tho, so maybe Apple will get foldables so right it will win me over

Of course this is assuming Gurman isn’t making all of this up, which is likely

 

[macbookj0e]

The whole point of a good smartphone camera is that you don't have to carry that second device around. My six year old EOS R5 wipes the floor with any smartphone in existence today, and will probably continue to do so six years from now, but I'm not taking that brick (two bricks, if you include a second lens) out with me unless I specifically intend to seek out photogenic settings.

Yeah I understand that it’s just that commenter seemed really excited and interested in getting the iPhone ultra so was just suggesting a solution. I didn’t say it was perfect.

 

[postobon]

I recall when the first Fold came out in 2019, at the height of the Apple vs Samsung snobbery, Apple users used to laugh at the idea of a foldable. "Not needed","Stupid","will fail","gimmick","I will never own a foldable" etc. So to see this Apple foldable coming to market 7 years after I've had a foldable, make me laugh inside. I guess build it and now it is acceptable. LAME!

 

[Surrylic]

Pretty amazing to me how many people are wanting to buy this inferior product. Apple can and has removed features and specs on their devices and people are like take my money. Makes absolutely no sense. For a device costing $2k or more it better have top tier specs and not cameras and Face ID removed. Ridiculous.

I do have major issues with the removal of the telephoto lens because I use it frequently, but I’ve always liked Touch ID better than Face ID simply because of how I use my phone. It’s just a system of give and take, of compromises. Is the removal of a telephoto lens to allow a thinner device with two screens (one of which is MUCH larger) worth it? It’s a compromise. Some people care, some don’t, but you can never have it all in any aspect of life.

 

[Surrylic]

I recall when the first Fold came out in 2019, at the height of the Apple vs Samsung snobbery, Apple users used to laugh at the idea of a foldable. "Not needed","Stupid","will fail","gimmick","I will never own a foldable" etc. So to see this Apple foldable coming to market 7 years after I've had a foldable, make me laugh inside. I guess build it and now it is acceptable. LAME!

It’s the same now. Some people think it’s stupid, some people love the idea. Nothing has changed, but maybe more have come to see the benefits after 7 years of seeing other brands release them.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Seems like as good a time as ever to bring back the iBook nomenclature. Given the risk involved in unseen hardware failures/klutzy owners tarnishing the iPhone brand I think they shouldn't use that name in marketing at all. Sell it as a new class of device, with its own OS fork.

Maybe but also probably not happening.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Absolutely agree but assume you were replying to my other comment and not about the mini? If not that was a terrible response 🤭🤣 jk

I was indeed responding to your other post lol. I don't think I even read the one I have quoted tbh, but glad you realised lol

 

[ke-iron]

This will be far beyond my budget anyway, but I'd be really cheesed off by the lack of FaceID. FaceID has consistently worked flawlessly on my iPhones and iPads, whereas TouchID frequently fails to recognise my fingers/thumbs.

Probably not be true for everyone, but I'd like FaceID on every Apple device and Mac.

Valid point but I don’t think after all these years we’re getting the same Touch ID. Knowing Apple they would have improved it.