Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra appeals to the few people who have had time with the device, although the camera setup may leave some users wanting more, according to BloombergIt’s Mark Gurman.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says people who have used the device — which will be internally called the iPhone Ultra — like the way it fits in your pocket, and the feel and durability of its hinge mechanism. Testers also apparently praised the new iPad-like app layouts that take advantage of the larger internal screen when the phone is unfolded.
Beyond productivity, video and gaming, Gurman says Apple’s foldable device also works well as a camera viewfinder. However, the device does not have a telephoto lens, which could cost Apple some sales given the expected price. The device is expected to feature a dual-lens rear camera system built around a 48-megapixel primary lens paired with an ultra-wide lens.
The foldable is also expected to rely on Touch ID built into the side button instead of Face ID built into the screen – a compromise Apple reportedly made to keep it around 4.5mm thick when unfolded. But as Gurman says, some users may prefer this traditional biometric setup. Like Samsung’s recently released Z Fold 8, the iPhone Ultra is said to have a 5.5-inch exterior display and an interior display of around 7.8 inches when opened, resulting in a wide, book-style design.
Apple’s first foldable is expected to be revealed alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at a launch event on or around September 9. Reports suggest that the device could start at $2,000 and even exceed $2,500 for higher storage tiers.
