Apple Weighs iPhone Ultra vs Fold for $2,000 Foldable Ahead of Sept. 9 Launch

Q: Will Apple's rumored $2,000 iPhone Ultra sacrifice beloved features like Face ID to achieve a crease-free foldable design this September?

Probably yes—if the foldable arrives this September, the strongest reporting says Apple is likely to drop Face ID in favor of Touch ID to help achieve its ultra-thin, near-crease-free design. Multiple reports tied to the rumored “iPhone Ultra” say Apple is prioritizing thickness, internal space and hinge engineering over keeping every familiar iPhone feature. The device is widely expected to be just 4.5mm to 4.8mm thick when unfolded, with a book-style design, a 7.6- to 7.8-inch inner display and a hinge aimed at making the crease nearly invisible. Analysts including Ming-Chi Kuo have said those space constraints could force Apple to omit Face ID and instead place Touch ID in the side button. The logic is straightforward: a foldable with two usable displays would likely need two sets of Face ID hardware, which takes more room inside an already thin chassis. Touch ID is the simpler fit. Rumors also suggest other tradeoffs, including only two rear cameras and no telephoto lens. That said, none of this is confirmed. Apple has not announced the product, its final name, or its biometric system. Even the launch timing remains somewhat unsettled, with most reports still pointing to September 2026 but some cautioning about delays. So the best evidence indicates Apple may indeed sacrifice beloved features like Face ID for a thinner body and a less visible crease—but whether the result is truly “crease-free” will not be clear until the device is officially unveiled and tested.

3 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · Aug 13

Creative Strategies analysts pushed back on “iPhone Ultra” for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, arguing the device may sit below the iPhone 18 Pro line on some core specs despite its new form factor.
Dual rear cameras, Touch ID, a smaller battery and a possible lack of MagSafe magnets are among the reported trade-offs, which critics say make “Ultra” a weak fit for Apple’s usual top-tier branding.
Mark Gurman has still said Apple employees internally call the device “Ultra,” keeping that name in play even as “iPhone Fold” remains the more literal description.
A 7.8-inch main display, 5.5-inch cover screen and expected $2,000-to-$2,500 price could still support premium branding when Apple unveils the foldable at its Sept. 9 event.