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

Apple is set to unveil its first foldable iPhone, tentatively dubbed the "iPhone Ultra," within the next two weeks. Despite carrying a price tag expected to exceed $2,000, the device will come with several notable limitations. Among these, the most glaring absence may be the lack of a telephoto camera, a feature many users have come to rely on.

The iPhone Ultra is rumored to feature two cameras—the Main and Ultra Wide—both expected to boast a resolution of 48MP, similar to the current base model iPhone 17. The device will also reportedly lack an Action button and Apple's signature mute switch. Furthermore, it will not have Face ID, but instead will rely on Touch ID through the side button, marking Apple's first iPhone without Face ID since its introduction in the iPhone X in 2017.

Apple's decision to ditch Face ID may be attributed to the Ultra's ultra-thin design, which would necessitate two sets of Face ID components—one for the outer display and another for the inner display. While Apple could still employ Touch ID in the power button on most of its iPads, the foldable iPhone Ultra might become the first iPhone without Face ID altogether.

Another significant omission seems to be MagSafe wireless charging, with leaked dummy units showing no trace of the MagSafe ring on the back of the device. While standard wireless charging may still be an option, MagSafe seems unlikely to make the cut. Sources such as Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg suggest that the iPhone Ultra will be eSIM-only worldwide, a move likely driven by the device's ultra-thin profile.

This decision aligns with Apple's eSIM-only approach in the iPad Air and the iPhone Air, as well as the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro in select markets.

In essence, the iPhone Ultra will come with a host of compromises, raising questions about whether the innovative folding design can compensate for these limitations. Among these, the absence of MagSafe wireless charging stands out as a particularly significant drawback for many users. As the release date approaches, opinions are sure to be divided, with some eagerly anticipating the foldable experience and others lamenting the loss of beloved features.