iPhone Ultra is coming, but it might not have these key features

Chance Miller | Aug 24 2026 - 11:58 am PT

Suppliers expect iPhone Ultra to launch in September, despite reported delays | iPhone Ultra render shown

Apple’s first foldable iPhone will reportedly be announced in just over two weeks. Despite potentially being branded as the “iPhone Ultra” and priced at over $2,000, it will have several big limitations.

#1: Telephoto camera

The iPhone Ultra will reportedly have two cameras, including a Main camera and an Ultra Wide camera. It is not expected to have a telephoto camera. For many people, this will probably be the biggest limitation of the device’s design.

The Main and Ultra Wide cameras on the iPhone Ultra are both expected to be 48MP, similar to the current base model iPhone 17.

#2: Action button

According to various leaked iPhone Ultra dummy units, the device will not have an Action button. In fact, it appears it will be Apple’s first-ever iPhone without a mute switch of any kind.

The dummy units show that the left edge of the device is completely bare. The side button and Camera Control button will reportedly be on the right-hand edge of the iPhone Ultra. The volume buttons, meanwhile, will be located on the top edge of the device similar to the iPad mini.

#3: Face ID

The iPhone Ultra is not expected to have Face ID. Instead, it will reportedly have Touch ID in the side button. This will mark Apple’s first iPhone without Face ID since the technology first debuted in the iPhone X in 2017.

For the iPhone Ultra, Apple has likely opted for Touch ID instead of Face ID because of the device’s ultra-thin design. Additionally, Apple would also need two sets of Face ID components: one for the outer display and one for the inner display.

Apple still uses Touch ID in the power button on most iPads, including the base iPad, iPad mini, and iPad Air.

Image credit: Sonny Dickson

#4: MagSafe

While Apple may have a surprise for us, it looks like the iPhone Ultra won’t support MagSafe wireless charging. Leaked iPhone Ultra dummy units do not show the MagSafe ring on the back of the device.

The iPhone Ultra may offer standard wireless charging like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable. Based on current rumors, however, MagSafe seems unlikely.

#5: Physical SIM

According to sources including Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg, the iPhone Ultra will be eSIM-only worldwide.

This is likely due to the foldable iPhone’s ultra-thin design. The iPhone Air is also incredibly thin and is eSIM-only worldwide. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, meanwhile, are eSIM-only in the United States and select other countries. In other markets, like China, the devices retain their physical SIM card slots.

Wrap up

It’s clear that Apple’s foldable iPhone Ultra will come with several major compromises. The question is whether the utility of the innovative folding design is enough to make up for those other limitations.

Personally, I’m looking forward to trying the iPhone Ultra. The compromise that worries me most is the lack of MagSafe. I currently use an iPhone Air, so I’m used to life without a telephoto camera. I think I could adapt to Touch ID pretty quickly. However, I have MagSafe chargers all over the place, so going back to regular wireless charging or full-time wired charging would be a big change.

What do you think? Let us know down in the comments.