Apple Foldable iPhone May Lack Face ID, Telephoto Camera And Other Pro Features

Apple's first foldable iPhone could arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at the company's September 9 event, although Apple has not officially confirmed the device. Reports and leaks have referred to it as the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggesting that its starting price could exceed $2,000, placing it among the most expensive foldable smartphones.

The reported focus on an exceptionally thin design could force Apple to make some compromises compared with its Pro models. One of the biggest changes could be the absence of Face ID. Reports indicate that the foldable may be around 4.5 mm thick when unfolded, potentially leaving insufficient space for the TrueDepth hardware used for Apple's facial-recognition system. Instead, the device is rumoured to feature Touch ID integrated into the side-mounted power button.

The camera system could also differ from the iPhone 18 Pro models. Leaked dummy units reportedly show two rear cameras, consisting of 48-megapixel wide and 48-megapixel ultrawide sensors. If accurate, the foldable would not have a dedicated telephoto camera, potentially making its camera setup less versatile than the system expected on Apple's Pro smartphones.

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The foldable is also expected to offer a different display experience, with reports pointing to a 5.5-inch outer screen and a 7.8-inch internal display. The larger panel would provide a more tablet-like experience for apps, multitasking and other activities when the device is unfolded. Leaked models suggest a relatively wide and compact shape, while Apple is reportedly working to minimise the visible crease using a liquid-metal hinge designed for durability through repeated folding.

MagSafe, however, could remain part of the foldable despite the additional engineering challenges involved in placing magnets around a folding chassis. The device may also have an unusual button arrangement, with volume controls reportedly positioned along the top edge and fewer physical controls on the left side. This layout could be linked to the internal component arrangement, although speculation that the Action Button could be omitted remains unconfirmed.

Connectivity could bring another change, with reports suggesting the foldable may be eSIM-only and ship without a physical SIM card slot. It could also lack mmWave 5G if Apple uses its in-house C2 modem, which is rumoured not to support the technology. US versions of the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to retain Qualcomm hardware because of the use of mmWave networks by American carriers. All these details remain based on reports and leaks until Apple officially introduces the device.

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