Apple’s Foldable iPhone Ultra Could Trade Familiar Features for a Thinner Design

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to bring a major design change to the iPhone lineup, but the company may have to make some compromises to get there.

The device, widely rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, is expected to debut alongside Apple’s upcoming iPhone lineup. Reports suggest the foldable could be significantly thinner than current iPhones, forcing Apple to rethink some of the hardware and features users have come to expect.

Face ID Could Make Way for Touch ID

One of the biggest expected changes is the removal of Face ID.

Reports indicate that Apple may not have enough internal space for the sensors required for Face ID in the foldable design. Instead, the company could bring back Touch ID, potentially integrated into the power button.

That would mark a notable shift for Apple, which has relied on Face ID across its flagship iPhones for years.

The SIM Card Slot Could Also Disappear

Apple may also continue its push toward eSIM-only phones with the foldable model.

Removing the physical SIM tray would free up some internal space, which could be important for a device where every millimeter matters. The move would also be consistent with Apple’s existing shift toward eSIM technology in some markets.

MagSafe May Stay After All

MagSafe was once considered another feature Apple might have to sacrifice because of the foldable phone’s thin construction.

However, more recent reports suggest the opposite. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has indicated that MagSafe is likely to be included, despite earlier leaked dummy units appearing without the magnetic charging system.

That would allow the foldable iPhone to retain compatibility with Apple’s growing MagSafe accessory ecosystem.

A Different Camera Setup

The foldable iPhone is also expected to have a different camera arrangement from Apple’s Pro models.

Current reports point to two rear cameras, along with cameras positioned for use with both the outer and inner displays. That could mean fewer cameras than the company’s top-end Pro Max models, reflecting another trade-off made to accommodate the folding design.

Apple’s Biggest iPhone Gamble Yet

The rumored changes show the challenge Apple faces with its first foldable phone. The company appears to be prioritizing a slim design while trying to preserve as much of the familiar iPhone experience as possible.

With the foldable expected to carry a premium price of more than $2,000, Apple will have little room for compromises when it finally introduces the device.

For now, these details remain based on leaks and reports, and Apple has not officially confirmed the specifications of its first foldable iPhone.