The MacRumors Show: Apple's Foldable iPhone 'Ultra'

[Herr Podspro]

If price wasn’t an issue, this phone might be for me, as it seems Apple will only ever give us a one-hand-accessible screen on a folding iPhone.
The outer screen looks like it could easily be the size of the iPhone 5 but with the aspect ratio of the 4. That would satisfy my needs for a one handed phone, with the added benefit of a bigger screen if the need appears.
Neat.
Not to say, tempting.

 

[klasma]

The outer screen looks like it could easily be the size of the iPhone 5 but with the aspect ratio of the 4.

The outer screen is significantly wider (iPhone 5 body in green), not really suitable for one-handed use IMO:

 

[Herr Podspro]

The outer screen is significantly wider (iPhone 5 body in green), not really suitable for one-handed use IMO:

View attachment 2621653

I disagree, but very much appreciate you sharing this comparison.
I personally always preferred the height of the 4 to the 5, as the upper edge was often slightly out of reach. But the screens were always very narrow as well. This seems like a reasonable middle ground, no hard to reach upper edge and extra real estate to the side.
Of course, the feel in the hand is very important too, especially with a phone that is bound to have two rounded corners and two pointy ones, and something everybody has to make up their mind about when the time has come.
Until then I’m not losing hope their might actually be an iPhone again more akin to the phones from back in the day and not the, by comparison, giant slabs we have today.

 

[The Game 161]

Folding phones are like 1-2% of the total phone market, and competitors have had products out for 7-8 years at this point, what's the market they are chasing here?

To increase massive profit.

 

[The Game 161]

Those who have holes in their pockets with smoke coming out the holes could afford this toy.....

Most folks know by now that a simple cheap phone does NOT exist in the Apple world.

One needs to be conscious of the fact that there is a hot reseller market for stolen Apple goods wherever life takes them.

Out of sight - out of mind is a good principle. If not actively making/receiving a call, keep the iPhone in a pocket or purse unless one is in safe place, if one actually exists today.

Most can afford it seeing as high amount pay monthly

 

[klasma]

I personally always preferred the height of the 4 to the 5, as the upper edge was often slightly out of reach. But the screens were always very narrow as well. This seems like a reasonable middle ground, no hard to reach upper edge and extra real estate to the side.

For me the iPhone 6 was already too wide for my thumb to comfortably reach over. It’s one reason why I moved to the original SE and then to the mini.

I’d probably still appreciate the pocketability of the Ultra, but the camera bump and weight will likely put me off.

 

[diblasio]

I think they are spot on here. In addition to this being the worst iPhone and the worst iPad experience at the worst price, it’s coming out at a time where people’s dollars are stretched thinner than ever. Apple scaling back production is a huge red flag that even they don’t think this is going to work.

This thing is two iPhone airs taped together and going to fail like…two iPhone airs taped together!

 

[philfloyduk]

I like FaceID too but have you ever compared it to a modern fingerprint reader for a longer period of time? I just ran the Z Fold 7 for a few months and even though it was awkward at the start I quickly adapted and it didn’t really cause any delays.

Now that I switched back to my iPhone I get locked out and need to enter my passcode a lot more since FaceID doesn’t work properly when I go outside and the sun is shining straight ahead.

I only use TouchID on my MacBook Air these days which isn’t comparable.

Interesting perspective on your experience with Z Fold 7, and thanks for that, my brain will probably store it and use it as an excuse to buy the iPhone Ultra 😄

 

[Herr Podspro]

I think they are spot on here. In addition to this being the worst iPhone and the worst iPad experience at the worst price, it’s coming out at a time where people’s dollars are stretched thinner than ever. Apple scaling back production is a huge red flag that even they don’t think this is going to work.

This thing is two iPhone airs taped together and going to fail like…two iPhone airs taped together!

So you mean because Apple is cautious about over production and the current economy, the phone has to fail?
What should they do instead according to you? Scrap the phone altogether? That doesn’t seem very logical.

 

[Herr Podspro]

I like FaceID too but have you ever compared it to a modern fingerprint reader for a longer period of time? I just ran the Z Fold 7 for a few months and even though it was awkward at the start I quickly adapted and it didn’t really cause any delays.

Now that I switched back to my iPhone I get locked out and need to enter my passcode a lot more since FaceID doesn’t work properly when I go outside and the sun is shining straight ahead.

Not to be rude, but I’m confident in saying your iPhones screen must be dirty then. I almost never have a failed unlock because of being outdoors.
My partner has a Samsung Flip, they agree that FaceID/unlock comparable to the iPhone is far more useful than Touch ID. You don’t have to put a specific finger in a specific place, you just tap the phone and look at it.
Everybody has their own preferences. But to argue that Touch ID is better than Face ID in general is just such an old standpoint that doesn’t really hold true upon closer inspection. I have/use multiple Face IF and Touch ID devices and Face ID is always more reliable, even if it’s not 100%.

 

[ofarlig]

Not to be rude, but I’m confident in saying your iPhones screen must be dirty then. I almost never have a failed unlock because of being outdoors.
My partner has a Samsung Flip, they agree that FaceID/unlock comparable to the iPhone is far more useful than Touch ID. You don’t have to put a specific finger in a specific place, you just tap the phone and look at it.
Everybody has their own preferences. But to argue that Touch ID is better than Face ID in general is just such an old standpoint that doesn’t really hold true upon closer inspection. I have/use multiple Face IF and Touch ID devices and Face ID is always more reliable, even if it’s not 100%.

Never said TouchID is better, just that it doesn’t cause a delay once you are used to it and it doesn’t have trouble with direct sunlight . It has other downsides though like moisture or dirt on your fingertips and so on.

And no the screen isn’t dirty, bright sunlight shining directly on your face (not just from overhead) makes problems for FaceID. It is easily repeatable and I’ve had almost every generation of iPhone and it’s been there on all of them since the release of FaceID.

 

[diblasio]

So you mean because Apple is cautious about over production and the current economy, the phone has to fail?
What should they do instead according to you? Scrap the phone altogether? That doesn’t seem very logical.

Don't be so dramatic. This isn't shaping up to be successful for a myriad of reasons. Yes, the price of chips (and everything else) is a factor, but so is the actual product. We won't know until we see it, but it doesn't look like they've got it right this time. Additionally, we've seen some pretty huge missteps with Siri, Vision Pro, and the iPhone Air. These are areas where Apple overpromised and underdelivered. It's hard to imagine it won't be the same here--especially when all signs are pointing to it. 🙁

They should have gone closer to the Motorola Razor's form factor. Have you seen that? It's useful when closed, and has a familiar size when open, so you never really have to compromise. Neither of the iPhone fold sizes seems like something I could use day-to-day. It's disappointing. And I say this as a LONG-time Apple fan.

 

[ofarlig]

Don't be so dramatic. This isn't shaping up to be successful for a myriad of reasons. Yes, the price of chips (and everything else) is a factor, but so is the actual product. We won't know until we see it, but it doesn't look like they've got it right this time. Additionally, we've seen some pretty huge missteps with Siri, Vision Pro, and the iPhone Air. These are areas where Apple overpromised and underdelivered. It's hard to imagine it won't be the same here--especially when all signs are pointing to it. 🙁

They should have gone closer to the Motorola Razor's form factor. Have you seen that? It's useful when closed, and has a familiar size when open, so you never really have to compromise. Neither of the iPhone fold sizes seems like something I could use day-to-day. It's disappointing. And I say this as a LONG-time Apple fan.

Just because YOU cannot use it day to day doesn’t mean others can’t, the rumoured size of the iPhone foldable when unfolded is more or less the same size as the older iPad Mini which many of us find very useful.

I see no point in the flip style foldables like the Motorola Razr but obviously other people do. I think the rumours point to Apple being right on target with their launch, the iPad aspect ratio is already tried and accepted and from using different foldables and weird shaped Androids over the year I think the more wide and less tall outer one will work.

 

[diblasio]

Just because YOU cannot use it day to day doesn’t mean others can’t, the rumoured size of the iPhone foldable when unfolded is more or less the same size as the older iPad Mini which many of us find very useful.

I see no point in the flip style foldables like the Motorola Razr but obviously other people do. I think the rumours point to Apple being right on target with their launch, the iPad aspect ratio is already tried and accepted and from using different foldables and weird shaped Androids over the year I think the more wide and less tall outer one will work.

That’s true! I hope this thing works and that people enjoy it. I’m due for an update this year and will probably go with the 18.

I may not go pro max though. Perhaps the smaller one. I’ve been using the “brick” app a lot to keep myself away from the phone. It’s such a time vampire. I’d stick with the 15 pro max that I have but the charging port is all jacked up. That may or may not have been from the time I took the family to a water park and didn’t properly seal my phone in that ziplock baggie thing lol. Oh well!

 

[BatmanAtkinson]

2026 is the new 2016 for sure. That camera hump from the back really remembers me of the 7 Plus

 

[The Game 161]

I think they are spot on here. In addition to this being the worst iPhone and the worst iPad experience at the worst price, it’s coming out at a time where people’s dollars are stretched thinner than ever. Apple scaling back production is a huge red flag that even they don’t think this is going to work.

This thing is two iPhone airs taped together and going to fail like…two iPhone airs taped together!

I think it’s foolish to say it’s a worse iPhone and worse iPad when that’s simply false. Aside from telephoto camera you can argue it’s a better than a regular iPhone as it can do more than a regular slab and do tasks quicker and easier. It’s just a smaller iPad basically that doesn’t make it worse

Reducing production is a rumour just like another recent rumour says they are increasing production.

Not everybody is wants a foldable and many won’t but a good amount will. You choose what fits you and your budget better.

 

[MartiNZ]

Not to be rude, but I’m confident in saying your iPhones screen must be dirty then. I almost never have a failed unlock because of being outdoors.
My partner has a Samsung Flip, they agree that FaceID/unlock comparable to the iPhone is far more useful than Touch ID. You don’t have to put a specific finger in a specific place, you just tap the phone and look at it.
Everybody has their own preferences. But to argue that Touch ID is better than Face ID in general is just such an old standpoint that doesn’t really hold true upon closer inspection. I have/use multiple Face IF and Touch ID devices and Face ID is always more reliable, even if it’s not 100%.

Yeah I would love it if the Galaxy Z Flip had a face unlock. The touch unlock is very unreliable and a pin kind of defeats the purpose of the opening action on a flip, so I run with no lock. Face ID with a front camera as you open it seems like a no brainer, but it must be quite a brainer seeing as even Apple's coming fold is missing face ID, right?

I was also surprised to find there is no face thing on macOS when I got the Neo. The touch ID there is reliable but I almost wonder why they bother when 9 times out of 10 it needs a password to unlock touch ID. I was not expecting that. Especially when I've been used to Windows Hello for years.

 

[FlyingTexan]

They listened to everyone then decided to go in another direction.


Couldn't just give me the iphone 13 mini in a foldable. I have many use cases for a foldable. I use ipads for my flight charts and ios only programs. It would be amazing to put that in my pocket. Having said that I don't know if i could still put up with this fugly wide design. I want something that feels comfortable to hold to ear, not a tablet.

 

[FlyingTexan]

I mean yeah Xbox delivers a bit of revenue, but they still lose money on every console sale, and recently got massive cuts because they were not meeting profit margin requirements for Microsoft. The only reason we may still get another generation is because the console will actually be a Windows PC.

Maybe Microsoft should do a foldable and try to revive Windows Phone. That was an amazing time! Best phone OS experience I've had!

overall it still creates billions in profits. Just not the new kind of money people are use to. It does a lot more for MS than just games like services, integrations, and technology development for other platforms. It's not going anywhere yet.

 

[diblasio]

I think it’s foolish to say it’s a worse iPhone and worse iPad when that’s simply false. Aside from telephoto camera you can argue it’s a better than a regular iPhone as it can do more than a regular slab and do tasks quicker and easier. It’s just a smaller iPad basically that doesn’t make it worse

Reducing production is a rumour just like another recent rumour says they are increasing production.

Not everybody is wants a foldable and many won’t but a good amount will. You choose what fits you and your budget better.

I do want a foldable phone though. One that’s iPhone sized when closed and double iPhone sized when open. I guess neither of the two sizes on the fold are appealing to me but I do hope others enjoy it!

 

[oh_no_not_again]

Nice job, Apple. Now, since you've found a supplier of what counts these days as small phone screens, how about you remove the expensive folding part and give us a new iPhone mini? With the space you save by removing the folding screen and its mechanism you could fit a huge battery in there.

 

[thatJohann]

No Face ID is a dealbreaker for me. I hate using TouchID on the iPad.

 

[lazyrighteye]

The iPhone Air and the Vision Pro were cut back and drasticly underperformed and or were flops, their two more recent major new products

While launch numbers were rough, I do wonder if the iPhone Air line will wind up a flop? Is it possible it was simply ahead of the market? It's biggest "feature," form factor - which feels great in-hand - really is impressive. IDK... The Air's story may to yet be over.