Apple’s first foldable iPhone could also become its most expensive. But paying more won’t necessarily get you the best hardware Apple has to offer.
The iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to beat the iPhone Ultra in several key areas once the novelty of a folding screen wears off.
The Pro may have the better cameras
The biggest difference could be sitting on the back.
iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to gain a variable-aperture main camera, which could improve low-light shots and give photographers more control over depth of field.
The Ultra isn’t expected to get the same hardware, apparently because Apple doesn’t have enough room inside its much thinner body.
The Ultra could make an even bigger compromise with zoom. Current reports point to just two rear cameras, main and ultrawide, while the 18 Pro and Pro Max retain a dedicated telephoto lens.
That means Apple’s priciest iPhone could also be the one without optical zoom.
Face ID is another sacrifice
The Ultra is also expected to ditch Face ID in favor of Touch ID built into the side button.
Space again appears to be the problem. Fitting Apple’s Face ID hardware into a thin foldable with two displays presents a much different challenge than fitting it into a regular iPhone.
The iPhone 18 Pro, meanwhile, is expected to continue using Face ID.
Pro Max could last longer, too
Battery life may give the conventional iPhone another advantage.
Apple is reportedly increasing the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s battery capacity by around 10%, while the new A20 Pro and C2 chips could squeeze more runtime from that larger battery.
The Ultra has less physical space to work with, making the Pro Max the stronger bet for buyers who care more about getting through a long day than about unfolding their phone into a small tablet.
And that’s really the tradeoff Apple appears to be making with the Ultra.
You’re not paying more because every component is better. You’re paying for something no other iPhone can do: fold in half and open into a much larger screen.
If that doesn’t matter much to you, the iPhone 18 Pro may end up being the better iPhone, even if it isn’t the most expensive.
