Apple iPhone Ultra Foldable: Design & Camera Specs
Mark Gurman shares positive early testing results for Apple's first foldable iPhone Ultra, highlighting build quality while noting a missing telephoto lens.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Testers praise the foldable iPhone Ultra for its easy portability and sturdy hinge
- Critics question the lack of a telephoto lens despite a high estimated price
- May feature side-mounted Touch ID to keep folded thickness around 4.5mm
- Expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro around September 9
Mark Gurman, a prominent technology reporter for Bloomberg, has revealed early testing insights regarding Apple's highly anticipated first foldable smartphone, internally referred to as the iPhone Ultra. Overall, initial feedback from internal testers has been quite positive, specifically highlighting the device's portability, the exceptional durability of its hinge mechanism, and the iPad-like interface layout optimized for the inner display.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
However, despite the favorable reception, notable questions have been raised regarding a key hardware omission: the device lacks a telephoto camera lens. This limitation stands out given that the starting price for the foldable handset is projected to reach approximately 2,000 US dollars, potentially raising consumer hesitation about its overall value proposition.
Writing in his Power On newsletter, Gurman analyzed that the camera setup could emerge as a weak point affecting sales for the iPhone Ultra. The device is rumored to feature a dual-rear camera system consisting of a 48-megapixel main sensor and an ultrawide lens. This contrasts with traditional flagship models like the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which have maintained dedicated telephoto lenses for generations while benefiting from larger screens for framing shots.
Apple's decision to omit a dedicated zoom lens in its debut foldable highlights the engineering trade-offs required in foldable hardware design. Balancing ultra-thin profiles with uncompromised flagship camera arrays remains an industry-wide challenge, mirroring strategic choices made by competitors in the foldable market segment.
In addition to camera specifications, reports suggest the iPhone Ultra might adopt a side-mounted Touch ID sensor embedded in the power button rather than an under-display Face ID system. Gurman notes this engineering compromise helps maintain a remarkably slim unfolded thickness of roughly 4.5 millimeters, while acknowledging that certain users might actually prefer traditional fingerprint authentication.
Regarding display dimensions, leaks indicate the outer screen will measure 5.5 inches, expanding to 7.8 inches when fully unfolded. This form factor closely resembles competitor designs such as the Galaxy Z Fold8. Interestingly, rival devices in this category also utilize a dual-rear camera configuration without a telephoto lens.
"The camera setup could be a weak point for the iPhone Ultra that might impact sales."
Mark Gurman
As for the official release schedule, Apple is widely anticipated to unveil the iPhone Ultra alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max during a product event projected for September 9. Meanwhile, the final commercial marketing name for the device remains subject to confirmation at the launch event.
Source: Thairath Lifestyle
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