Is the iPhone Ultra actually better than the 18 Pro Max?

Why is Apple bringing back Touch ID for the new foldable iPhone?

Discover why Apple’s $1,999 iPhone Ultra trades Face ID for a 4.5mm frame. See how the A20 Pro chip and WMCM tech make the first crease-free foldable possible.

Key Takeaways

What: Apple’s $1,999 iPhone Ultra, a book-style foldable featuring a 7.8-inch internal display.
Why: To introduce the 2nm A20 Pro chip and a “liquid metal” hinge that finally eliminates screen creases.
How: By utilizing WMCM packaging to reach a 4.5mm thickness, necessitating a move to eSIM-only connectivity and side-mounted Touch ID.

The iPhone Ultra: Engineering the Foldable Future

The iPhone Ultra is coming, and it isn’t just another smartphone—it is a structural rethink of what an Apple device can be. While many expected a “Fold” model to eventually join the lineup, reports indicate that Apple is instead pivoting to the “Ultra” branding to signal something more experimental and premium than the current Pro models.

The 4.5mm Engineering Marvel: How WMCM Packaging Enables the Ultra-Thin Profile

The most striking feature of the iPhone Ultra is its physical profile. When unfolded, the device measures a mere 4.5mm to 4.7mm thick. To put that in perspective, it is roughly the thickness of two “iPhone Air” devices stacked together. Achieving this didn’t just require a new hinge; it required a total overhaul of the internal architecture.

Standard chip packaging takes up too much room for a chassis this thin. Instead, Apple is expected to use Wafer-level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology. This allows the A20 Pro chip—built on an advanced 2nm process—to be integrated directly with 12GB of RAM in a single, ultra-dense package. By shrinking the footprint of the core processor, Apple found the clearance needed to maintain a rigid frame without adding bulk.

The Connectivity Trade-off: Why Camera Control Forced an eSIM-Only Architecture

There is a common assumption in the tech world that “more expensive” means “more features,” but the iPhone Ultra challenges that logic. In a move that may frustrate some power users, the device is expected to skip the physical SIM tray entirely in favor of an eSIM-only design.

This wasn’t just a push for digital-only connectivity. Engineering leaks suggest that the inclusion of the Camera Control button—a dedicated physical shutter first introduced on the iPhone 16—forced a difficult choice. Because the button requires internal mechanical depth to function, Apple had to reclaim the space occupied by the SIM slot to keep the unfolded frame at that 4.5mm target. For Apple, the tactile experience of a physical camera interface was more valuable than the legacy hardware of a plastic SIM card.

Beyond the Crease: Amorphous Alloys and Self-Healing Memory Glass

The “crease” has been the primary deterrent for foldable skeptics for a decade. Apple’s solution involves a mix of high-end material science and durability. The hinge is rumored to use amorphous alloys, often called “liquid metal,” which provide extreme strength without the weight of traditional steel.

The display itself moves away from the soft plastic feel of early foldables. Reports point to a 7.8-inch internal screen protected by self-healing memory glass. This technology is designed to minimize the visible dip in the center of the panel, offering a near-seamless 120Hz LTPO OLED experience.

The Power Paradox: Housing a 5,800mAh Battery in a Foldable Chassis

Usually, thin phones mean small batteries. The iPhone Ultra flips this script. Despite its slender frame, the device is tipped to pack a battery between 5,400mAh and 5,800mAh. This would be the largest battery ever fitted into an iPhone.

Apple manages this through a split-cell design, distributing the weight and volume across both halves of the folding body. Combined with the 30% efficiency gains expected from the 2nm A20 Pro chip, the Ultra is positioned to be a multi-day device, even with its massive 7.8-inch internal display.

The Counter-Intuitive Reality: An “Ultra” Phone with Pro-Lite Cameras

Here is the insight that contradicts standard industry expectations: despite a starting price of $1,999, the iPhone Ultra actually offers a “downgraded” camera system compared to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

While the Pro models carry a triple-lens array with a dedicated telephoto zoom, the Ultra is limited to a dual 48MP setup (Wide and Ultrawide). The extreme thinness of the 4.5mm frame simply cannot accommodate the physical depth required for a periscope telephoto lens. Buyers are essentially paying a premium for the folding form factor and the massive screen, while accepting that optical zoom is a casualty of the design.

Biometric Shifts: The Return of Side-Mounted Touch ID

For the first time since the iPhone 8 series, a flagship Apple phone will launch without Face ID. The sensors required for the TrueDepth camera system are too thick for the Ultra’s 4.5mm display panels.

Instead, Apple is returning to Touch ID, integrating the fingerprint sensor into the side-mounted power button, similar to the iPad Air. While this might feel like a step backward to some, it is a pragmatic solution that allows for a nearly bezel-less internal display and 18MP punch-hole selfie cameras.

The Ultra Branding Strategy: Price, Exclusivity, and the 2026 Launch

The iPhone Ultra is expected to debut in September 2026 with a price tag ranging from $2,000 to $2,500. This launch marks a shift in Apple’s broader strategy, as the company reportedly plans to delay the base iPhone 18 models until spring 2027 to let the Ultra and Pro models command the spotlight.

With only two color options—likely Silver/White and Indigo—and initial production limited to roughly 8 to 10 million units, the Ultra is being treated as a high-stakes experiment. It is a device for those willing to pay more for the future of hardware, even if it means leaving a few familiar features behind.