The iPhone Ultra, Apple’s long-anticipated foldable, will launch without MagSafe or the Action button despite a $2,000 price tag, according to leaked dummy models analyzed by accessory makers.
These omissions mark a stark departure from Apple’s recent iPhone design language, where the Action button replaced the silent switch on the iPhone 15 Pro and became standard across the lineup and MagSafe has been a cornerstone of the ecosystem since its return in 2020. The dummy units, shared by leakers Sonny Dickson and Vadim Yuryev, show volume buttons relocated to the top right edge — a shift necessitated by a motherboard positioned on the right side of the device to avoid routing cables across the foldable screen. This internal layout, first hinted at by Weibo leaker “Instant Digital,” explains both the missing Action button and the absence of MagSafe magnet indentations, which are critical for accessory alignment.
At 4.5mm thick, the iPhone Ultra is expected to be Apple’s thinnest device ever, a dimension that may physically preclude both MagSafe integration and the TrueDepth camera array required for Face ID. Apple is poised to revert to Touch ID as the sole biometric authentication method — a move not seen on a flagship iPhone since the iPhone 7 in 2016, and last featured on any iPhone in the 2022 SE 3. This would make the iPhone Ultra the first high-end model to rely exclusively on Touch ID, underscoring the trade-offs inherent in pushing foldable hardware to its limits.
Camera specifications also appear scaled back compared to the iPhone 18 Pro line, with the dummy models showing only two rear lenses — a notable reduction from the triple or quad-camera setups expected on Apple’s conventional flagships. Even as earlier reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested a four-camera system (two rear, one interior, one front), the physical dummy units contradict that vision, aligning instead with the MacRumors findings. Gurman’s earlier prediction of Touch ID adoption, however, remains consistent with the latest evidence.
Despite these compromises, the iPhone Ultra’s design is already reshaping the foldable landscape. Forbes reports that Apple’s wider, shorter 4:3 aspect ratio — a shift from the tall, skinny profiles of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series — is prompting rivals to accelerate their own wide-screen foldables. Huawei’s Pura X Max and Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, rumored to feature an 8.1-inch internal display and 6.5-inch cover screen, exemplify this trend. The shift aims to improve video consumption by reducing letterboxing, a benefit Apple’s design could standardize across the industry.
Global foldable shipments grew 14% year-over-year in Q3 2025, reaching a record high, according to Forbes, signaling that the category is finally moving beyond niche appeal. Apple’s entry, even with feature trade-offs, threatens to widen that momentum — much as its late but dominant entries into wireless earbuds and smartphones reshaped those markets.
How the iPhone Ultra’s thickness forces design compromises
The device’s 4.5mm profile creates a cascade of trade-offs: too thin for MagSafe magnets, too thin for the TrueDepth camera array, and likely too thin to support advanced camera systems without sacrificing structural integrity or battery capacity. These constraints explain why Apple may be prioritizing form over feature completeness in its first-generation foldable.
Why Apple’s foldable could still shift the market despite missing features
Even without MagSafe or the Action button, the iPhone Ultra’s sheer brand pull and design direction are already influencing competitors. The rush by Android manufacturers to adopt wider aspect ratios shows that Apple doesn’t need to match its own flagship specs to redefine category expectations — a pattern seen when the original iPhone launched without 3G or copy-and-paste yet still reset the smartphone benchmark.
Will the iPhone Ultra support wireless charging?
The sources do not confirm wireless charging capabilities for the iPhone Ultra. While MagSafe absence suggests potential limitations in magnetic alignment, standard Qi wireless charging remains possible and is not ruled out by the leaked dummy models or analyst reports.
When is the iPhone Ultra expected to launch?
Multiple sources indicate a fall or winter 2026 release, with some analysts suggesting shipments could begin as early as December 2026, though Apple’s traditional September timeline may shift due to component readiness.
