Apple iPhone Ultra Foldable Could Be a Game Changer but This Camera Cut May Hurt

First foldable iPhone from Apple is said to be gaining appreciation due to its stylish design, strong hinge mechanism, and iPad-like software. However, due to the expected price tag of above $2,000, not having a telephoto lens might become its greatest disadvantage.

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The first foldable iPhone from Apple seems to be one of the most impressive new devices from the company in a long time. Sources claim that early testers of the device are impressed with its design, folding mechanism, and software. But there may be one significant flaw when it comes to a phone that may cost as much as $2,000 (Rs 1.9 lakh): the camera system.

As per Apple analyst Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the foldable iPhone, currently rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, has received good reviews from users who have tested the device before its scheduled release. Apple reportedly plans to release the device along with the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 9.

iPhone Ultra Early Reviews

From what the initial feedback regarding the design of the new iPhone Ultra is concerned, it can be said that it looks rather promising. According to his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman has revealed that those few lucky individuals who had tried out the device said that they were impressed with its comfortable grip and ease of keeping in the pocket.

This feature, in particular, seems to be quite significant for Apple since there have been certain problems with regard to the thickness of the foldable phone previously. Although, the upcoming product from Apple seems to be bigger in size than the traditional iPhone once it is opened, it seems like Apple has paid much attention to its practicality once it is closed.

Another part of the iPhone Ultra which seems to be highly praised is the hinge itself. According to the latest information, testers have been pleased with both its feeling and durability, which means that Apple must have invested a lot of effort into developing one of the most essential elements of the foldable device.

iPad-Like Software Experience

Although hardware might be something to boast about, software might turn out to be the most significant feature of the future iPhone Ultra. In particular, according to the rumors, Apple is considering making use of the large internal display by means of software that would allow for more than just stretching iPhone applications on a larger screen.

In particular, according to the report by Gurman, the device might have the ability to operate similar to an iPad in terms of application layout and multitasking.

This could be another way for Apple to distinguish its iPhone Ultra from other foldable smartphones. Rather than just using the extra screen space as something to run iPhone applications on, Apple can create specific software experience based on the extra screen space.

iPhone Ultra Expected Specifications

According to reports, the next iPhone Ultra may sport a book-like folding form factor, much like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series. The smartphone may sport a 5.5 inches outer display and an inner display that would be significantly bigger at about 7.8 inches.

Although the general form factor is likely not going to look very different from other existing book-like foldable devices, Apple's hardware-software integration can be the distinguishing factor in this case. Additionally, the upcoming foldable may come with a new A20 Pro chip from Apple and thus deliver enough performance for games and apps.

As per the recent reports, the device will have two 48-megapixels rear cameras – a main one and an ultrawide lens. In addition, the foldable device may be extremely slim with a reported thickness of about 9.4 millimeters while being folded and 4.5 millimeters when unfolded.

Should this report be confirmed, Apple may position the iPhone Ultra among the thinnest foldable devices.

iPhone Ultra's Biggest Weakness

While initial reactions were highly promising, the camera setup might actually turn into a topic of discussion after the launch of iPhone Ultra. It seems that the phone will include only two rear-facing camera modules: one primary and another ultrawide.

This means that the absence of the telephoto lens in the phone might come as a shock to customers as the starting price for the phone is likely to be in the neighborhood of $2,000. Previous Pro iPhones featured dedicated telephoto cameras for many years while rival premium foldable phones offer more versatile camera hardware as well.

As reported, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 has a three-lens camera system which includes a telephoto camera. Consequently, the lack of a telephoto lens in iPhone Ultra will likely diminish the attractiveness of the phone's camera hardware considering its price.

Users who take many photos with optical zoom or need portraits may find this a significant drawback. Even if computational photography enhances digital zoom substantially, it is not a substitute for telephoto lenses.

Large Inner Display

Apple might still have something else up their sleeve though. It is said that the large internal display can serve as a camera viewfinder, allowing you to preview your photo-taking or video-making session on a bigger screen.

It could make some photo-taking or video-making situations easier, especially if it is necessary to frame a subject properly or demonstrate something to someone through the camera lens. A larger screen would allow for better photo and video review and editing right inside the device.

Still, a larger viewfinder cannot make up for the lack of an optical telephoto lens completely. It means that the camera experience might be one of the most exciting aspects to test once the iPhone Ultra gets released.

iPhone Ultra Price

Expected price is yet another factor that makes the lack of the telephoto camera a cause for controversy. The previous information indicated that the first foldable iPhone from Apple will cost no less than $2,000 and could cost even more in its final version.

At such a price, people will obviously expect to get the most advanced features in each and every aspect. Premium screen, advanced processor, and software experience may not be sufficient for people who want a flexible camera system as well.

For such customers, Apple could count on the fact that buyers of the iPhone Ultra will prefer a foldable design, the large internal screen, and iOS experience rather than having the most advanced camera system.

However, people who really care about the camera system would prefer the classic iPhone Pro models which will provide them with a more advanced system at a much cheaper price.

iPhone Ultra vs Conventional iPhone Pro

It seems that the iPhone Ultra is aimed at a rather narrow segment of customers. A person looking for the classic iOS interface combined with a huge screen for multitasking, gaming, and content consumption could see great potential in this product line.

The extra-large inner screen and potentially better multitasking capabilities, as well as the compactness of the folded phone, could make the iPhone Ultra quite unique in Apple's offerings. It could become a great intermediary solution between a standard smartphone and a mini-tablet, thus eliminating the necessity to own both products.

In contrast, users prioritizing good camera systems and the greatest value-for-money ratio might have additional motivations for selecting an iPhone Pro instead. The lack of a telephoto lens could become especially critical if one is to spend about $2,000 on a device.

iPhone Ultra Launch Date

The rumored release of the iPhone Ultra along with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max is also predicted, with September 9 as the rumored release date.

In case Apple sticks to its planned schedule of launches, the foldable iPhone can turn into one of the biggest events of the year. Up until now, Apple has been reluctant to join the race in the foldable smartphone segment, while other players like Samsung were perfecting their models through several generations.

That is why the first foldable iPhone can be considered very significant. The point is that Apple does not have to invent anything new in the sphere of foldable iPhones. All they need to do is improve the technology and develop good software for the bigger screen.

Indeed, the initial reaction to Apple's first foldable iPhone is very promising. With its comfortable feel in the hands, compactness, excellent hinge performance, and iPad-like interface, it seems Apple took plenty of time on optimizing those factors that truly matter in such a phone.

Nonetheless, the apparent absence of a separate telephoto lens can be a real problem, especially when it comes to the debut of the iPhone Ultra, which is expected to cost about $2,000. Under such circumstances, one might justifiably demand the camera to be equally good to those of Apple's regular Pro iPhones and premium rivals.

In conclusion, the success of the first foldable iPhone from Apple will be determined not by its superior hardware and specifications compared to others, but by its hardware-software integration. Provided that Apple makes the inner large screen really practical and presents the iPhone Ultra at the level expected from the company’s product, it might become a new type of phones for the brand. Nevertheless, for those customers who prioritize taking photos with the phone, the absence of a telephoto camera is likely to be a tough concession to make.