Foldable iPhone Ultra Missing Features May Disappoint Buyers Paying $2,000
Foldable iPhone Ultra missing features are quickly becoming the hot topic in Apple circles, and not for the reasons fans were hoping. As Apple inches closer to launching its first-ever foldable iPhone, the latest leaks and dummy model reveals suggest that the ultra-premium device — expected to start at a jaw-dropping $2,000 — could be skipping at least five major features that you’ll find on the standard iPhone 18 Pro models.
If the rumors hold true, Apple’s flagship foldable could deliver a strikingly different experience than what many premium iPhone users have come to expect. Let’s dig into what’s reportedly missing, what’s still included, and why this could make the iPhone Ultra one of the most controversial Apple launches in years.
Dummy Models Reveal the First Surprises
Recent images of dummy models, shared by reliable leakers Sonny Dickson and Vadim Yuryev, have provided the clearest look yet at Apple’s upcoming foldable device. These dummy units are typically used by accessory manufacturers who need precise dimensions to mass-produce cases, screen protectors, and other peripherals before official product announcements.
Because manufacturing accessories requires near-perfect accuracy, dummy models are usually highly reliable indicators of what the final product will look like. And what these dummies are revealing about the iPhone Ultra is raising eyebrows across the tech community.
The most surprising revelations involve two features that have become staples of modern iPhones — MagSafe and the Action Button. Both appear to be missing from the iPhone Ultra design, marking a significant departure from Apple’s recent flagship strategy.
Volume Buttons Get a New Home
One of the more unusual design choices visible on the dummy models is the placement of the volume buttons. Instead of sitting on the left side of the device like virtually every other iPhone, the volume controls on the iPhone Ultra are positioned on the top edge, aligned to the right. This layout is reminiscent of the iPad mini.
According to Weibo leaker “Instant Digital,” this unconventional placement is the result of Apple’s internal layout decisions. The motherboard reportedly sits on the right side of the foldable device. To avoid running cables across the entire screen to reach buttons on the left side, Apple opted to route them directly upward to the top edge instead. This solution helps maximize internal space, which is critical in a device this thin.
While the power button and volume controls are clearly visible in their new locations on the dummy units, the Action Button is conspicuously absent.
No Action Button: A First for Modern iPhones
The missing Action Button is a notable break from Apple’s recent design philosophy. The Action Button was introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro as a replacement for the long-standing silent switch. Since its debut, it has been included on every iPhone model Apple has released.
If the dummies are accurate, the iPhone Ultra would be the first iPhone in years to lack both an Action Button and a traditional silent switch. This is a curious omission for a device positioned as Apple’s most premium iPhone offering.
For users who have grown accustomed to customizing the Action Button to launch apps, trigger shortcuts, or control camera functions, this absence could be a meaningful downgrade. Apple has not yet explained how users will perform these functions on the iPhone Ultra, but software-based alternatives are likely.
MagSafe Appears to Be Missing Too
The other major surprise from the dummy model reveals is the apparent absence of MagSafe. Dummy units typically feature precise indentations that mark the locations of internal MagSafe magnets, helping accessory makers ensure their products align correctly with the device.
On the iPhone Ultra dummies, these MagSafe indentations are nowhere to be found. While this remains speculative, it’s a strong signal that the foldable device might not include MagSafe at all.
The likely culprit? The iPhone Ultra’s incredibly thin profile. At a rumored 4.5mm, the device would be Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever by a significant margin. There may simply not be enough room inside the device to accommodate the magnets and wireless charging coils that MagSafe requires.
This would be a major loss for users who have built ecosystems of MagSafe accessories around their iPhones — chargers, wallets, mounts, and more. Losing MagSafe on a $2,000 phone would be a tough pill to swallow for anyone invested in the MagSafe accessory world.
Goodbye Face ID, Hello Touch ID Return
One of the most discussed missing features is Face ID. The iPhone Ultra is reportedly too thin to fit Apple’s TrueDepth camera array, which is essential for Face ID authentication and currently lives within the Dynamic Island on modern iPhones.
To work around this limitation, Apple is expected to bring back Touch ID on the iPhone Ultra. While Touch ID is a reliable and proven authentication method, its return as the sole biometric option on Apple’s most expensive iPhone would be unprecedented.
Some context here is important. The last iPhone to feature Touch ID was the budget-oriented iPhone SE 3 in 2022, and the last flagship iPhone with Touch ID was the iPhone 7 way back in 2016. For Apple to revert to Touch ID on what will become its highest-end iPhone marks a significant backward step in some ways, even if Touch ID itself remains a useful technology.
This decision underscores just how much Apple is willing to compromise on traditional flagship features in pursuit of the foldable form factor.
Just Two Rear Cameras Instead of Three
The dummy models also confirm earlier rumors that the iPhone Ultra will sport only two rear cameras, not the three-camera array found on Pro models. The two cameras are expected to be a wide lens and an ultra-wide lens, similar to what you’d find on the standard iPhone 17.
That means the iPhone Ultra will skip the telephoto camera, which is a key feature for users who love optical zoom for portraits, distant subjects, and detailed compositions. For photography enthusiasts spending $2,000 on a phone, this is a notable concession.
Apple has clearly prioritized form factor over camera versatility with this device. While the wide and ultra-wide cameras can still produce great results, the lack of telephoto capability puts the iPhone Ultra behind the iPhone 18 Pro models in pure photographic flexibility.
No Physical SIM Slot Either
According to previous rumors, the iPhone Ultra will also ditch the physical SIM card slot entirely, just like the iPhone Air. The device will rely exclusively on eSIM technology for cellular connectivity.
For users in regions where eSIM adoption is widespread, this won’t be a major issue. But for international travelers and people in markets where physical SIMs remain standard, the lack of a SIM slot could create real headaches.
The Complete List of Missing Features
Putting it all together, here’s what the iPhone Ultra is expected to be missing compared to the iPhone 18 Pro models:
- Face ID and the TrueDepth camera array
- Telephoto camera (third rear camera)
- MagSafe wireless charging system
- Action Button
- Physical SIM card slot
That’s a lot of premium features absent from a phone that’s expected to cost twice as much as the iPhone 17 Pro. It’s worth noting that the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 and includes all of these features, making the iPhone Ultra’s compromises even more controversial when viewed through the lens of value.
Comparing the iPhone Ultra to the iPhone Air
Many of the design compromises on the iPhone Ultra mirror those found on the iPhone Air, which Apple released as part of its lineup of ultra-thin devices. The iPhone Air also lacks:
- Ultra Wide and Telephoto rear cameras
- A physical SIM slot
- Stereo speakers
Given that the iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a similarly thin design with a titanium frame and glass back, it’s possible that even more iPhone Air-style compromises will appear on the foldable device. While there are no current indications that the iPhone Ultra will lack stereo speakers, this isn’t out of the realm of possibility given the other concessions Apple appears to be making.
The Big Question: Is It Worth $2,000?
Reports about the iPhone Ultra’s pricing have varied somewhat, but all sources agree that the device will not come in below $1,999. That makes it Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever by a wide margin.
For some users, the foldable form factor will absolutely justify the price. The ability to have a smartphone that unfolds into a tablet-sized display is a genuinely novel experience that could change how people use their devices. Early adopters and Apple enthusiasts will likely embrace the iPhone Ultra despite its compromises.
For others, paying $2,000 for a phone that lacks Face ID, MagSafe, telephoto camera, the Action Button, and a SIM slot — while costing nearly twice as much as the iPhone 17 Pro — could be a tough sell. The value proposition becomes especially challenging when you consider that competing foldables from Samsung, Google, and others have been refining their designs for years.
Why Apple Is Making These Compromises
The trade-offs likely come down to physics. Foldable devices present extraordinary engineering challenges. Fitting all the components of a modern smartphone into a device that needs to bend in half — and do so reliably over thousands of folds — is incredibly difficult.
Apple has historically been conservative with foldable technology, preferring to wait until they could deliver an experience that meets their high standards. Even then, compromises are inevitable. The iPhone Ultra represents Apple’s first attempt at this form factor, and it’s reasonable to expect that future iterations will gradually reintroduce some of the missing features as the technology matures.
What This Means for the iPhone Ecosystem
The iPhone Ultra’s design choices have implications beyond just this single device. They signal Apple’s willingness to experiment with the iPhone form factor in ways the company hasn’t done in years. Whether this experiment pays off will likely influence Apple’s product strategy for years to come.
If the iPhone Ultra succeeds, expect to see foldable iPhones become a permanent part of the lineup, with refinements addressing the current compromises. If it struggles, Apple may take a step back and reassess its approach to the foldable category.
Launch Timeline and Expectations
The iPhone Ultra is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in the fall. This gives Apple plenty of time to refine the design and address any last-minute issues before the device hits the market.
For consumers, the months ahead will bring more leaks, rumors, and possibly even official announcements that could clarify exactly what the iPhone Ultra will and won’t include. Whether the missing features remain absent or get reintroduced before launch is something we’ll only know with certainty once Apple takes the stage.
Final Thoughts
The foldable iPhone Ultra missing features list is impressively long for a device carrying such a premium price tag. Losing Face ID, MagSafe, the Action Button, the telephoto camera, and the SIM slot represents a significant departure from what Apple’s flagship iPhones have offered in recent years.
For early adopters and foldable enthusiasts, the iPhone Ultra will likely still be an attractive option despite these compromises. The novelty of an Apple foldable is genuinely exciting, and the device’s ultra-thin profile could be a marvel of engineering.
However, for mainstream users weighing whether to spend $2,000 on a phone that lacks features available on a $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro, the decision becomes much more complicated. Apple is asking buyers to pay a premium for the foldable form factor while accepting compromises in nearly every other area.
Whether that bet pays off will be one of the most interesting tech stories to watch as we head into the fall launch window. For now, all we can do is wait and see whether Apple manages to surprise us — or whether the iPhone Ultra ends up being remembered as the iPhone that asked too much for too little.
