Other Upgrading iPhone this year? Fold/Ultra or sticking with 18/Pro/Pro Max?

[avheatherim]

I am normally a serial upgrader, but so far it looks like I'll be staying on my 17PM for an additional year.

 

[Fatus_Asticus]

Not interested in folds in the slightest. I have a 17pm which I just bought so I’m probably good. I was going to wait for the 18pm but I’m concerned about pricing, shortages and the new radio.

 

[ayephoner]

I do not plan to upgrade. I got a 17pm in the fall and plan to keep it for at least 3 years. I think a folding phone is an interesting prospect, but every phone I've had for like 15 years has had the same form factor (more or less). Part of me worries if I tried a foldable I wouldn't like it and sticking with what I know might be the better option.

 

[Jeweller]

Still rocking my launch day 15PM and felt no compelling reason to upgrade last year. That said, I'm fairly sick of the bulk of PM sized phones and, had I upgraded, was set on the Air if I thought I could live with the compromises, if not the regular 17 pro. Turns out not so much with the Air and the build quality of the 17 pro felt like too much of a downgrade. This year I'll do one of three things: 1) check out the Ultra/Fold in store and, assuming I can live with the probable lack of telephoto and Face ID, chose it or 2) go 18 pro, assuming they at least somewhat improve the build quality or 3) battery replacement in the 15PM.

If they manage to do some version of 4 or 5x zoom on the Ultra/Fold I think I could live without Face ID. I bike a ton in the Colorado mountains and find telephoto indispensable. Or if they improve the anodization and smooth out those scratch prone camera plateau edges and the new colors end up being in line with the leaks, maybe I'll go 18 pro.

But probably I just go battery replacement 😜

 

[Abydos]

it depends, my iPhone SE 2020 seems to be functioning within normal parameters. if it fails I'll replace, probably with an 18e or something similar (the minimal phone to met my projected usage more would be a waste - I will buy something more powerful if I need it)

 

[ghostanime2001]

Get the 18 pro to use as trade in value toward the 19th or 20th anniversary edition

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I can upgrade my 16 Pro Max this year but I don't think I am going to bother. It feels a bit like I'd be doing it for the sake of it rather than a need tbh. Still got 100% battery health, phone runs perfectly and does everything my wifes 17 Pro does, so why not keep it another year and reduce my monthly bill? It has all gotten rather boring lately and the phone just does what I need and more anyway. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Gregintosh]

I am using an iPhone Air and I love it. That being said, I will strongly consider the foldable when it comes out.

It will depend on battery life. The iPhone Air battery life is pretty good, at least good enough. If the fold ends up having the same level it's okay. But if the fold's battery life is much worse than an Air's when opened for a decent amount of time, then it will be hard to justify.

Also, MagSafe is important to me. So if the fold does not include it I would be more likely to skip it and wait for a gen 2.

In that case I would stick to my Air or decide if I want an Air 2 or Pro.

I have to say though that after using the Air it's going to be hard to ever switch to a phone that's significantly heavier. I am sure I can get used to it again but whenever I pick up other phones they feel excessively thick and heavy.

 

[fp99]

On the 13 Pro, with original battery at 86% and running iOS 18.
Looking to upgrade to the 18 pro.
Mostly for the upgraded cameras (for kids pictures) and longer battery life.
But NOT for iOS 26. Hoping 27 is going to be better.

 

[zenmacx]

The thrill is gone.

Unkept promises “iPhone 16 Pro Max” built for Apple Intelligence as one example, the odd shape and size of iPhone Ultra is another. The ongoing failure of Siri yet another.

Because of the excellent experience I’ve had with my Z Fold7 I’ve learned a folding phone suits my preferences and workflow perfectly.

I was excited to learn that Apple would make a folding iPhone, but disappointed and put off by the rather bizarre form factor they’ve chosen. No thanks Apple.

 

[Acronyc]

I’ve had a 14 Pro since launch. Every new iPhone that’s came out since has only had two main features I’d like: USB-C and camera improvements. But these haven’t been enough for me to upgrade.

I’m still getting along with all my lightening cables and charge mostly wirelessly anyway. The camera is still good enough for me.

In September I’ll hit four years with this iPhone, the longest I’ve ever used one. It runs iOS 26 fine and I’ve been thinking I’ll just use it as long as I can. Maybe next year or the year after I’ll upgrade.

Whenever I do, I’m not spending laptop level money on a phone. Will make sure to get the Pro model for longevity and the cameras, but if a foldable iPhone comes out and approaches $2k, I’ll sit it out. I’m also not a big fan of the design we’ve seen so far but who knows what it’ll end up looking like.

 

[Pug72]

Been deliberating on this for a while now and unless the unveil shows the Fold to have FaceID and telephoto camera (unlikely) I will go with the 18 Pro Max.

The camera is important to me for my daily walks and FaceID is seamless the many, many times it's used during the day. I really want a folding iPhone but not if I have to compromise on the things that for me make using an iPhone so good.

I'm a little down about it and will no doubt get strong FOMO when they launch but I just know once the novelty wears off, the inferior camera will bug me and having to use TouchID will start to grate.

Hopefully later down the line they can bring out a folding device on a par with the Pro models and then I'll jump in with both feet.

 

[Ludatyk]

Hopefully later down the line they can bring out a folding device on a par with the Pro models and then I'll jump in with both feet.

Been a foldable user since the Fold 2 (currently using the Fold 6) and the discussion of 'folding devices being on par with Pro models' has been the subject of debate.

And it's simple... compromises have to made in order for the price to be reasonable for the end user. You want FaceID on the inner and outer screen? Pro-level cameras? The cost will skyrocket which will result in not many people buying them. Apple goal is to sell a million of these devices... anything below that will not be worth it.

The appeal of a foldable phone... is that it's a 2-1 device. The Pro iPhones are unable to transform into an iPad... so, that's the feature users are paying for. Do I want FaceID and Pro-level cameras? Absolutely. But I value having a larger screen over those features and I think that's the difficult choice users will have to make.

 

[Pug72]

Yeah, it's personal priorities. For me it's the camera and FaceID.

 

[Jeweller]

If they more or less fix the crease issue and include MagSafe at the very least I could be persuaded by the Ultra. Really it's only two things that are appealing to me about the rumored phone. Overall size when closed and screen size when open. Would love a smaller and more pocketable form factor than my 15PM while still having an iPad mini screen handy at all times. Face ID I could live without but no telephoto is a tough sell.

 

[ghostanime2001]

If they more or less fix the crease issue and include MagSafe at the very least I could be persuaded by the Ultra. Really it's only two things that are appealing to me about the rumored phone. Overall size when closed and screen size when open. Would love a smaller and more pocketable form factor than my 15PM while still having an iPad mini screen handy at all times. Face ID I could live without but no telephoto is a tough sell.

the base and hopefully the air 2 will both have wide and ultrawide so whats the use in having them in the foldable too ?

 

[poorcody]

I'm almost certain I will get the fold. Being able to have a kindle-sized screen in my pocket for reading is something I've wished for for a long time. Really looking forward to it.

I do admit giving up Face ID, telephoto camera, and maybe MagSafe are discouraging. I'm hoping unlocking with my Apple Watch, improvements in digital zoom, and a stick-on magnet will suffice. I hope future versions of the fold reintroduces them. But I've decided they are worth giving up for my reading library in my pocket.

I have to say I'm also pleased with the screen dimensions Apple has chosen, because as much as I was impressed with the Galaxy Fold, the square screen was not as useful for reading as an e-reader dimensionally.

I find iPhones so useful in general I don't find a $2K price that off-putting. I don't upgrade every year though, so that makes it easier to swallow.

 

[xxFoxtail]

I'll likely get a Fold once I retire my iPhone Air and M4 iPad Pro, as long as I can dock it to a desk setup and use it like I use my iPad now. Bonus for me if it has Pencil support as well.

As of right now, I’m content and happy with my devices as they’re both fairly new and work well.

 

[Sir Ruben]

Foldable phones have no interest to me to begin with, and the price takes away any remaining curiosity.

I always go for Pro iPhones but tbh I don't think I'll bother upgrading from my iPhone17 Pro for a while. Maybe my next upgrade will be the anniversary phone or whenever they do more than just a chip/small camera upgrade.

 

[author.brian.mendonca]

The physical novelty of a folding phone has little interest to me, but what might tempt me would be a massive leap in software quality akin to iOS + iPadOS + extra magic that makes the folding phone more compelling than the sum of a typical iPhone + iPad combination separately. Otherwise, I suspect there will be more compromises made to where the traditional iPhone form factor will still make for a greater purchase from both a technical and user-friendly point of view. iOS 26 bugs and missing AI features aside, the iPhone is fully matured, and having close to a rock solid hardware and stable hardware stack is why I've been an Apple loyalist for so many years.

 

[uuee6543]

I would consider updating however these issues are a no go for me:

• Only two cameras
• The form factor - this is huge for me. I do like the width however the height is a complete non starter for me. I don't know what they are thinking here. The small iphones were a complete failure in terms of sales. There is a small amount of people that want tiny phones in 2026, however they most certainly aren't people who are prepared for pay $2500/£2500/€3000 for a phone. Such an expensive and "ultra" phone, should also be a "tall" phone. Not a very short one.
• No Magsafe - seriously?! On a £2500 phone, supposedly "ultra" phone?!
• No face ID - this is a bit less of an issue for me depending on the implementation

I do think this first iteration will be a huge flop. Not as bad as iphone Air which will never take off, but they will have to fix all of these if V2 is ever to be successful.

 

[Sital]

I'll be upgrading my 16 Pro to either the 18 Pro or Pro Max. The Ultra doesn't really tempt me. While I think the form factor is interesting, I have no real use for a phone that transforms into an iPad.

 

[Jeweller]

I would consider updating however these issues are a no go for me:

• Only two cameras
• The form factor - this is huge for me. I do like the width however the height is a complete non starter for me. I don't know what they are thinking here. The small iphones were a complete failure in terms of sales. There is a small amount of people that want tiny phones in 2026, however they most certainly aren't people who are prepared for pay $2500/£2500/€3000 for a phone. Such an expensive and "ultra" phone, should also be a "tall" phone. Not a very short one.
• No Magsafe - seriously?! On a £2500 phone, supposedly "ultra" phone?!
• No face ID - this is a bit less of an issue for me depending on the implementation

I do think this first iteration will be a huge flop. Not as bad as iphone Air which will never take off, but they will have to fix all of these if V2 is ever to be successful.

Totally agree with you as far as the likelihood of no telephoto or MagSafe being a bummer, and I could also probably live without Face ID. As far as price, to be fair all the rumors seem to point to it starting at $2,000, not $2,500 (still not cheap). And as for size, the height of the exterior screen wouldn't bother me at all. It should be around 1.14" shorter and .41" wider than an iPhone 17 Pro. With an overall area that's only 1.14 square inches smaller. Seems reasonable to me for quick one-handed use. Were the exterior screen the size of a Pro or larger, I'd be way less inclined to ever bother using what would be a much more square shaped interior screen. Personal preferences of course...

 

[Itsedstech]

Considering the cricket gift card loop right now, I’ll be getting the 18 pro max for sure. Tempted to order a fold/ultra as well but I really hate the small book form factor. If it were Galaxy fold form factor I’d take that in a heartbeat.

 

[MrGunny94]

I'm jumping on Fold/Ultra wagon on day 1.. As long as we can one two apps.