Apple iPhone Ultra: Price of 2,000 us-dollars but no MagSafe
Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which will be called the “iPhone Ultra,” could lack at least five key features that will be present in the iPhone 18 Pro models, despite its price of US$2,000/€2,000. Recent images of mock-ups shared by Sonny Dickson and Vadim Yuryev appear to reveal two previously undiscussed missing features of the Apple iPhone Ultra: MagSafe and the Action Button.
iPhone dummies are used to replace real devices for testing purposes, especially for accessory manufacturers who want to mass-produce items such as cases before announcing new devices, which requires a high degree of accuracy and manufacturing precision.
Apple iPhone Ultra Design
Both dummy models show that the volume buttons are located at the top of the Apple iPhone Ultra, aligned to the right, similar to the iPad mini. This aspect was first revealed by the Weibo leaker Instant Digital who suspected that the motherboard was apparently located on the right side of the device. This was to avoid having to route the volume button cables across the screen to the left side, where they are located on all other iPhone models, thus making optimal use of the internal space.
While the power button and volume controls are clearly visible in their new positions on the dummy models, the action button is curiously missing. This suggests that the Apple iPhone Ultra will be the first iPhone model without an action button or mute switch. Apple introduced the action button with the iPhone 15 Pro as a replacement for the mute switch, and since then it has been present in every iPhone model.
MagSafe
The images of the foldable iPhone mock-ups released so far were shown alongside replicas of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. These duplicates of the high-end models, like most dummies, feature precise recesses for the internal arrangement of the MagSafe magnets, which makes it easier for manufacturers to correctly align their accessories.
Crucially, these indentations are missing on the foldable iPhone dummies, suggesting that the device may not have MagSafe. This aspect remains speculative, but at 4.5 mm, the Apple iPhone Ultra will be the thinnest iPhone yet, and by a significant margin. Therefore, it is not unlikely that it might be too thin for MagSafe.
The Apple iPhone Ultra is presumably too thin for Apple’s TrueDepth camera, which is required for Face ID authentication and is now located in the Dynamic Island. Therefore, it is expected that Apple will revert to Touch ID for this device. The last iPhone with Touch ID was the iPhone SE 3 from 2022, where it was part of the more affordable option. The last flagship iPhone with Touch ID was the iPhone 7 from 2016. The return of Touch ID as the sole authentication method for the future high-end iPhone would therefore be unprecedented.
Cameras
As can be seen on the dummy models, which confirm numerous rumors, the Apple iPhone Ultra will likely only have two rear cameras. It is expected to be similar to the iPhone 17. It will consist of a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle camera. Unlike the Pro iPhones, there will be no third camera with a telephoto lens.
Previous rumors suggested that the Apple iPhone Ultra – just like the iPhone Air – will also not have a SIM card slot, but will only be compatible with eSIM. Therefore, the iPhone Ultra might lack the following features:
- Face ID/TrueDepth camera array
- Telephoto camera/third rear camera
- MagSafe
- Action button
- Physical SIM card slot
The iPhone Air lacks ultra-wide and telephoto rear cameras, a SIM card slot, and stereo speakers. With its super-thin design, titanium frame, and glass back, the Apple iPhone Ultra is expected to be very similar to the iPhone Air in design. It’s possible that similar compromises will be made when the device launches later this year. While there’s no indication that the iPhone Ultra will lack stereo speakers, given the other design compromises Apple has made, it can’t be ruled out.
Price
The rumored starting price for the Apple iPhone Ultra fluctuates somewhat, but reports indicate it will not be below US$1,999/€1,999. The iPhone 17 Pro is available from $1,099 and offers all the missing features mentioned above.
Therefore, the compromises made with the iPhone Ultra, given its significantly higher price, could be the subject of much debate. The device is expected to launch in the fall alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
