Technology
Reports detail technical trade-offs between iPhone 18 Pro and rumored iPhone Ultra
Leaked specifications suggest Apple's ultra-thin model may sacrifice camera and battery performance compared to its standard flagship line.
The short version
- Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to offer several technical advantages over the heavily anticipated, ultra-thin iPhone Ultra.
- Space constraints in the iPhone Ultra's thin design will reportedly force compromises, including the exclusion of Face ID and a dedicated telephoto camera.
- The flagship iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to retain superior battery life due to a physical battery that is reportedly 10 percent larger than its predecessor's.
Key facts
- The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to feature a main camera with a variable aperture upgrade to enhance low-light photography and depth-of-field control.[9to5Mac]
- The iPhone Ultra's ultra-thin design is expected to prevent it from housing the larger components required for variable aperture and a telephoto camera.[9to5Mac]
- Reports suggest the iPhone Ultra will rely on Touch ID instead of Face ID because Apple was unable to fit the Face ID component arrays into the thin chassis and double-screen configuration.[9to5Mac]
- The iPhone 18 Pro Max is reported to feature a 10 percent larger physical battery than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, outperforming the Ultra's expected battery life.[9to5Mac]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unconfirmed exactly how Apple plans to implement the rumored variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro.[9to5Mac]