Will the iPhone Ultra really be 'Ultra'? 5 features the foldable could surprisingly ditch, from Face ID to MagSafe

Date:
Sun, 06 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Description:
Apple's first foldable phone will probably be very expensive yet might lack several major features found on other iPhones.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter September 9 could be an
exciting day for Apple fans, because along with new editions of long-running phones, like the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, were also expecting the company to finally launch its first foldable, possibly dubbed the iPhone Ultra.

This of course will almost certainly be the most expensive iPhone in history though if you think of it as an iPhone and iPad all in one then it could
still be reasonably good value. But despite the definitely high price and the possibility of Ultra in the name, it might actually be lacking some standard iPhone features. Their absence will probably be part of an effort to keep the device slim, but in some cases could also be a cost-cutting measure, and combined they might make some buyers question just how Ultra and how good value the phone really is. Weve detailed these possible omissions below. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: 1. Face ID The iPhone 17 Pro (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Its long been rumored that the iPhone Ultra wont have Face ID instead it could have a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Though unlike the last iPhone to sport Touch ID (the iPhone SE (2022) ) this will probably be built into the power button, rather than being housed in a large home button under the display.

Still, its been many years since a high-end iPhone has lacked Face ID, and in recent years even budget models like the iPhone 17e have had it, so this omission could really sting. You may like 5 WWDC 2026 clues that tell us
Apple is about to release a foldable iPhone Ultra Apple's iPhone Ultra could increase average foldable phone prices by 18% Apple's late foldables arrival puts pressure on it to level up the category

Theres no guarantee that the iPhone Ultra wont have Face ID, but numerous sources say it wont, apparently because its going to be too slim for Apples TrueDepth camera array which powers Face ID. 2. A telephoto camera The iPhone 17 Pro Max (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Another casualty of the iPhone Ultras likely slim build could be a telephoto camera, with this phone reportedly having just a dual-lens rear camera , with wide and ultra-wide sensors. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

This is a very believable claim, as not only has it been repeated a lot, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 which its likely to have a similar form factor
to also only has a dual-lens camera.

Plus, Apple hasnt equipped the standard iPhone 17 or the iPhone Air with a telephoto camera, so the company doesnt seem to see it as an essential feature, even for quite expensive handsets. But given that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max do have one, it would mean the iPhone Ultra is far from the best iPhone for photography. 3. An Action button The iPhone 17 Pro (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Apple debuted Action buttons back on the iPhone 15 Pro series and since then loads of iPhones have had one, but the iPhone Ultra reportedly wont. What to read next iOS 27 beta code points to a foldable iPhone Ultra 5 biggest iPhone 18 rumors rated what to really expect at next week's Apple event I compared the iPhone Ultra's rumored screen sizes to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

At this point weve seen numerous dummy units of the phone, such as some from leaker Sonny Dickson , and they lack an Action button, which could be a sign that the phone wont have one likely because its too slim for the required components.

These dummy units also lack a mute switch, which could make this the first iPhone to have neither. 4. MagSafe A MagSafe wallet on the back of an iPhone 13 Pro (Image credit: TechRadar) As with the Action button, dummy units of
the iPhone Ultra also lack a MagSafe ring, and while this could just be an omission from the dummies, its present in dummy units of the iPhone 18 Pro series, suggesting that the iPhone Ultra might not include magnets for connecting wireless chargers and accessories.

That said, Mark Gurman an Apple watcher with a superb track record has said in an interview with Toms Guide that "all indications that I've heard is that MagSafe is in for this foldable phone. They were able to get it into the iPhone Air, and I don't see why they wouldn't be able to get it into the foldable."

So right now were not sure whether MagSafe will be included or not. Were inclined to believe Gurman, but then again the iPhone Ultra looks like it might lack some other features the iPhone Air has (such as Face ID and an Action button), so his comparison there doesnt fully add up. 5. A SIM card slot The iPhone Air is too thin for a SIM card slot, and the iPhone Ultra might be as well (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Apple has already ditched physical SIM card slots for its phones in the US and a handful of other regions. But except for the iPhone Air, all of its phones currently do have SIM card slots in most of the world including the UK and Australia.

However, the iPhone Ultra might join the iPhone Air in relying purely on eSIM , whatever country you buy it in.

This is something weve heard from multiple sources and it would make sense, since if the iPhone Air is too slim for a SIM card slot then the iPhone Ultra likely will be as well. In fact, of all the possible omissions, this is the one were most sure of though for buyers in the US it will be business as usual. Today's best iPhone deals Contract Deals Sim Free gift Apple iPhone 17 24 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 25GB data 25 upfront 33.99 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk See all prices voucher gift Apple iPhone 17e 48 months Unlimited mins 5GB data 30 upfront 42.43 /mth View at EE See all prices voucher gift Apple iPhone 17 Pro 48 months Unlimited mins 5GB data 30 upfront 55.97 /mth View at EE See all prices voucher gift Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 48 months Unlimited mins 5GB data 30 upfront 49.22 /mth View at EE See all
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/will-the-iphone-ultra-really-be-ultra- 5-features-the-foldable-could-surprisingly-ditch-from-face-id-to-magsafe


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