The iPhone Ultra compromises: Why are fans calling Apple's first foldable a downgrade?

Normally, the days leading up to Apple’s autumn hardware keynote are defined by breathless anticipation. But ahead of the September 9 "Surprise and shine" presentation, the discourse surrounding the headlining iPhone Ultra--Apple’s first-ever book-style foldable and new CEO John Ternus' first keynote--has turned distinctly sour. Across X, Reddit, and major tech forums, prospective buyers and Apple loyalists are voicing vocal frustration. Rather than being hailed as the ultimate iPhone halo device, leaks detailing severe hardware compromises alongside an eye-watering price tag have cast a shadow over Apple's biggest form-factor pivot in a decade.

Outrage about pricing

The primary lightning rod for internet backlash is price. While foldables have always carried early-adopter premiums, supply-chain reports and an IDC analysis project the iPhone Ultra’s starting price between USD 2,000 and USD 2,399, with an average selling price exceeding USD 2,550 once higher storage tiers are factored in.

In a smartphone market where consumers are already stretching upgrade cycles, asking buyers to pay more than double the cost of a flagship iPhone 18 Pro has triggered immediate resentment. Skeptics argue that while competitors like Samsung and Honor have spent six generations refining hinges and bringing foldable costs downward, Apple is entering the segment at an all-time record high.

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Missing hardware

For an iPhone bearing the "Ultra" moniker, camera expectations are sky-high. Yet credible leaks indicate the device will only feature a dual-camera system—a 48MP main sensor and an ultra-wide shooter--completely ditching the dedicated periscope telephoto lens found on Pro and Pro Max models.

The reasoning comes down to physical space: packing a folded glass periscope prism into a chassis that must fold flat without exceeding thickness thresholds proved mechanically impossible for Gen 1. However, consumers aren't sympathetic to the engineering excuse. Paying over two grand for a phone that takes worse zoom photos than a standard iPhone 18 Pro has become the single biggest dealbreaker across social feeds.

Absence of Face ID

Since the iPhone X debuted in 2017, Face ID has become fundamental to the iOS user experience. The iPhone Ultra reportedly breaks that continuity, removing TrueDepth dot projectors entirely in favor of a Touch ID sensor embedded inside the side power key.

While Apple previously deployed button-mounted Touch ID on the iPad Air and mini, smartphone power users consider it a functional regression. Unlocking a phone on a desk or glancing at notifications hands-free will no longer work seamlessly, forcing users back to capacitive fingerprint taps on Apple’s most futuristic device.

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Huge question mark on durability

Beyond specs, enthusiasts are sounding alarms over classic "first-generation Apple product" syndrome.

**Visible Crease Reality: **Early rumors promised Apple had engineered an "invisible crease," but recent supply-chain leaks suggest the flexible inner panel still exhibits a noticeable center groove at off-axis viewing angles.

Exorbitant Out-of-Warranty Repairs: With replacement folding displays expected to cost upwards of $800 to $1,000 without AppleCare+, consumers fear long-term ownership risks.

Thicker Pocket Profile: While unfolded thickness is remarkably slim, carrying two sandwiched chassis slabs in a pocket daily is drawing unfavorable comparisons to today's razor-thin glass slabs.

The pre-launch backlash against the iPhone Ultra boils down to an irreconcilable value contradiction: Apple is charging its highest price tag in history while asking buyers to accept more functional compromises than any other flagship in its lineup. Losing telephoto zoom and Face ID on a USD 2,000 device feels less like an aspirational luxury upgrade and more like paying thousands of dollars to be Apple's beta tester. While the hardware will inevitably sell out to early adopters and tech collectors on day one, John Ternus will have to spend his first keynote convincing skeptical everyday consumers why an unproven folding display is worth giving up the camera and convenience they already take for granted.

(Feature image credits to @appletrack on X.)

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