Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone reportedly wins over early users, but the camera may disappoint

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Apple’s first foldable iPhone is still unannounced, but several people who have used it reportedly like the way it fits in a pocket, the hinge, and the software on its larger inner display. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported those early impressions in his August 23 Power On newsletter.

The same report points to a notable compromise. Apple’s foldable may not have a telephoto camera, even though reports suggest it could cost more than $2,000.

What early users reportedly like

Gurman says several people who have handled the device like how easily it fits in a pocket despite its foldable design. They also praised the feel and durability of the hinge, along with iPad-like app layouts that make better use of the larger inner display when the phone is open.

That software detail may matter more than the screen size. If Apple adapts apps for the wider display instead of simply stretching the iPhone interface, the device could feel closer to a small tablet when unfolded.

An earlier dummy-unit look at the rumored iPhone Ultra offered similar physical context, pointing to a wider, book-style phone that opens into a tablet-like screen. A dummy unit cannot show how Apple’s final hinge or software will work, but it helps explain why pocketability is part of the early reaction.

The camera and biometrics may be compromises

The foldable reportedly works well as a camera viewfinder, but Gurman says it may lack a telephoto lens. Current reports point to a dual rear-camera setup with a main camera and an ultra-wide camera. That does not tell us the phone will take poor photos. It does mean buyers may lose the longer-range flexibility expected from Apple’s most expensive iPhones.

Face ID may be another trade-off. Reports point to Touch ID in the side button instead, a change linked to the phone’s thin design target. Earlier side-button Touch ID reporting also described the biometric choice as an effort to avoid the space required for Face ID hardware.

Apple has not confirmed the phone

The device is reportedly called the iPhone Ultra inside Apple, but that may not be the final name. Other reported details include a roughly 5.5-inch outer display, a roughly 7.8-inch inner display, and a book-style fold. Apple has confirmed none of them.

Reports have pointed to a September unveiling alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, with a starting price above $2,000. Apple has not announced the event, the foldable, or its pricing. For now, the early impressions suggest the design may work well in the hand, while the camera and biometric choices could decide whether the price feels justified.

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