iPhone Ultra: Testers Rave About Apple’s First Foldable

With only a few weeks remaining until Apple’s highly anticipated September event, excitement builds for the unveiling of the new iPhone 18 series. This event is particularly noteworthy as it will also mark the debut of Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

Early testers of the foldable iPhone, rumored to be named the iPhone Ultra, have provided insights to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. His reports suggest that Apple may be on the verge of a significant success with this device, although initial reviewers have raised some specific concerns.

Why Testers Are Enthusiastic About the iPhone Ultra

Over the weekend, Bloomberg‘s well-informed Apple insider Mark Gurman revealed that he spoke with users who had firsthand experience with the iPhone Ultra. Their feedback left Gurman feeling “couldn’t be more excited” about this innovative foldable device.

Testers appreciate the iPhone Ultra’s compact size, a quality that aligns with the preferences of many reviewers who favor foldable phones. When unfolded, the inner display of the iPhone Ultra is reported to be just shy of the size of an iPad mini, showcasing the impressive portability of the device. testers enjoyed the iPad-like user experience enabled by its flexible internal display.

The significant effort Apple invested in perfecting the hinge mechanism appears to have paid off. Gurman indicates that the “feel and durability of the advanced hinge mechanism” has garnered substantial praise from those who tested the device.

Gurman highlights that the iPhone Ultra serves as an exceptional camera viewfinder, appealing to photography enthusiasts.

What Key Features Are Absent in the iPhone Ultra?

Despite the positive feedback, testers shared two significant features that the iPhone Ultra lacks.

Firstly, the iPhone Ultra is equipped with only two rear cameras, as confirmed by leaked renders. This omission of a telephoto lens, which has become a standard feature in most premium smartphones, has disappointed reviewers. Gurman notes that this has been a long-standing rumor, and testers have expressed dissatisfaction with the camera setup.

Gurman emphasizes that the iPhone Ultra is expected to retail for at least $2,000. The profile of consumers willing to invest in such a premium product often overlaps with those who value advanced photography features, including superior zoom capabilities. Current iPhone Pro users eyeing an upgrade may see the absence of a camera lens as a regression, leading them to consider the more affordable iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max instead.

In recent evaluations of Samsung’s foldable models, similar camera shortcomings were noted. Both the compact Galaxy Z Flip 8 and the larger Z Fold 8, which resemble the anticipated design and specifications of the iPhone Ultra, received critiques for their camera performance when compared to Samsung’s, Google’s, and Apple’s Pro and Ultra models.

The second notable exclusion is the absence of Face ID technology. Gurman corroborates a long-held rumor that the iPhone Ultra relies on Touch ID for user authentication, leaving some testers disappointed as they have grown accustomed to the convenience of Face ID.

These missing features, along with any additional shortcomings identified in the iPhone Ultra, are likely to be addressed in future iterations. This launch marks Apple’s inaugural venture into foldable technology, but it is anticipated that it won’t be the last.