iPhone Ultra Foldable Hands-On Impressions: What Users Like and Where It Falls Short

Apple's first foldable iPhone is reportedly making a strong impression on the people who have already used it. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, early testers have been particularly positive about the device's compact feel, hinge, and software experience when the larger display is opened.

There is one notable concern, though: the camera system. The rumored lack of a telephoto lens could become a difficult compromise for a phone expected to cost more than $2,000.

The iPhone Ultra feels surprisingly pocketable

One of the most important challenges for any foldable phone is making it feel practical when closed. According to Gurman's latest comments, Apple's approach appears to be working well in this area.

People who have reportedly handled the device like how comfortably it fits into a pocket, while the hinge has also earned praise for its feel and perceived durability. Those details may sound minor, but they can make a major difference in whether a foldable feels like a useful everyday phone or an awkward piece of technology.

The device is expected to use a 5.5-inch outer display and a roughly 7.8-inch inner screen, giving it a wide book-style design when unfolded.

The larger display could make iOS feel more like iPadOS

The internal screen appears to be one of the strongest parts of the iPhone Ultra experience.

Gurman says early users have praised the iPad-like app layouts designed for the larger unfolded display. Instead of simply stretching the standard iPhone interface across a bigger screen, Apple appears to be adapting its software to take better advantage of the additional space.

That could make the foldable useful for more than watching videos or browsing. Multitasking, gaming, reading, and productivity could all benefit from a layout designed specifically for the larger panel.

The camera could be the biggest compromise

The early impressions are not entirely positive, particularly when it comes to photography.

The iPhone Ultra is reportedly expected to use a dual-camera system with a 48-megapixel main camera and an ultrawide lens. What it apparently will not have is a dedicated telephoto camera.

That could be a noticeable limitation for buyers who expect the most expensive iPhone to offer Apple's most versatile camera system. A telephoto lens is particularly useful for distant subjects and optical zoom, so its absence could influence some customers to choose an iPhone 18 Pro Max instead.

For a foldable costing more than $2,000, that trade-off could be difficult for some users to accept.

Touch ID could replace Face ID

Apple is also reportedly taking a different approach to biometric authentication.

Instead of using in-display Face ID, the iPhone Ultra is expected to place Touch ID in the side button. The decision is reportedly connected to Apple's efforts to keep the foldable extremely thin, with the device potentially measuring around 4.5mm when unfolded.

While Face ID has become a familiar part of the modern iPhone experience, Touch ID is hardly an unfamiliar technology for Apple. Some users may even prefer having a physical fingerprint sensor, particularly on a device that can be used in different orientations.

Data transfer will be part of the upgrade process

A new foldable may completely change how you use your phone, but the setup process will still involve moving years of personal content. Photos, contacts, messages, documents, and other files can turn an exciting upgrade into a surprisingly long afternoon.

Smart Transfer can help simplify that process by providing a practical way to handle content transfer between devices. For users familiar with Smart Switch and other phone migration tools, it can offer another straightforward option for moving the files they actually want to keep.

Preparing your content before the new iPhone arrives can also make the data transfer much easier. Removing unnecessary files first means you can start with a cleaner library instead of bringing years of digital clutter onto a brand-new foldable.

The iPhone Ultra could be very expensive

The final major question is price.

Current reports suggest Apple's first foldable could start at around $2,000, with higher-storage configurations potentially pushing the price beyond $2,500. That would make it one of the company's most expensive consumer devices.

Apple's premium materials, foldable display, hinge engineering, and redesigned software experience could help justify the cost for enthusiasts. But the missing telephoto camera and reliance on Touch ID show that even a luxury-priced device will involve compromises.

Apple could reveal the foldable in September

The iPhone Ultra is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at Apple's September event, currently expected around September 9.

The early reports are encouraging. Testers appear to like the compact proportions, hinge, and larger-screen software experience, suggesting Apple may have focused on making the foldable feel polished rather than simply making it first.

The camera system and price could still become sticking points. If Apple gets those trade-offs right, however, the iPhone Ultra could be a very convincing first entry into the foldable market.