Apple is about to unveil its next-generation flagship iPhone lineup, and this year’s announcement is shaping up to be one of the most unusual in the company’s history. Alongside the expected iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple is reportedly preparing a completely new iPhone Ultra model. The Ultra is said to be a foldable device with a new form factor and a higher price, but the Pro lineup will not simply roll over.

For years, the Pro iPhone has been the default choice for users who want Apple’s best camera technology, brightest display, and longest battery life. The iPhone Ultra threatens to change that by introducing a more expensive, more exotic device. Yet a closer look at the current rumors suggests that the Pro models will still hold several crucial advantages over Apple’s first foldable.

1. Main camera with variable aperture

The most significant camera upgrade in this year’s iPhone lineup is expected to be a variable aperture main camera on the iPhone 18 Pro. According to leaks and supply chain reports, the Pro models will gain the ability to adjust the amount of light entering the lens, switching between different aperture settings depending on the scene. This is a feature that has been common on premium Android phones for years, but Apple has avoided it until now.

A variable aperture can improve portrait mode by allowing shallower depth of field, potentially making subject separation look more natural. It could also help in low light by opening the aperture wider to capture more light, while stopping down in bright conditions to improve sharpness. The tradeoff is physical size. The mechanism needed to move the aperture blades is larger than a fixed lens module, and that creates a problem for the ultra-thin iPhone Ultra.

Reports indicate that the iPhone Ultra will not get variable aperture because its slim body cannot accommodate the necessary components. This gives the iPhone 18 Pro a clear advantage for photography enthusiasts who want the most flexible camera system in a daily driver. With Apple’s computational photography already leading the industry, adding a physical variable aperture could make the Pro models even more versatile in ways that software alone cannot match.

2. Longer battery life on Pro Max

Battery life is another area where the Pro lineup is expected to remain the champion. Regulatory filings have leaked details about iPhone Ultra battery capacity, and the device should certainly offer respectable endurance for a foldable. However, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is reportedly getting a battery that is 10% larger than the one inside the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Combined with efficiency improvements from the A20 Pro chip and the new C2 modem, the Pro Max could deliver the best battery life ever seen in an iPhone.

The foldable form factor of the iPhone Ultra presents a unique challenge. With two displays, a hinge mechanism, and a severely thin chassis, there is less room for a large battery. The Ultra may also need to power a larger foldable display when opened, which consumes more energy. While Apple has made impressive strides in power efficiency, physics still limits what can fit inside an ultra-thin device.

For heavy users who need to get through a full day without carrying a charger, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will likely remain the safest choice. The larger physical battery, improved silicon, and more efficient cellular modem are all expected to give it an edge over the Ultra. Even if the Ultra manages to surprise reviewers with its endurance, the Pro Max starts from a better position on paper.

3. Face ID

Face ID has been a defining feature of the modern iPhone since 2017. The TrueDepth camera system that powers Face ID is secure, fast, and deeply integrated into iOS, supporting Apple Pay, password autofill, secure app login, and Animoji. For the first time in years, however, a flagship iPhone will ship without Face ID.

According to reports, the iPhone Ultra will rely on Touch ID instead. The decision appears to be driven by engineering constraints. The Ultra’s extremely thin design leaves no room for the dot projector and infrared camera modules used by Face ID. Moreover, a foldable device that opens to reveal a second display would ideally need Face ID components on both the outer screen and the inner screen for a seamless experience. That would double the component count and require even more internal space.

In the authentication department, the iPhone 18 Pro will have a distinct advantage. Users who prefer Face ID or who rely on its integration with iOS will not need to adjust to a new unlock method. Touch ID is still a solid option, but it lacks the hands-free convenience of Face ID and cannot support the same secure gestures for app authentication. For anyone who has become accustomed to unlocking their iPhone with a glance, the Pro lineup is the natural choice.

4. Telephoto camera

Apple has reserved its telephoto camera for the Pro models for several generations, and this year will reportedly continue that trend. The iPhone Ultra is expected to have a main camera and an ultra-wide camera, but no telephoto lens. That means no optical zoom, which is a significant omission for users who like to photograph distant subjects.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will reportedly keep the telephoto camera and even improve it with a larger aperture. A larger aperture lets in more light, which improves image quality in dim conditions and can help maintain faster shutter speeds to reduce motion blur. This is particularly useful for concert photography, sports events, wildlife, and travel photography.

For many people, telephoto is one of the main reasons to choose a Pro iPhone over a standard model. Losing it entirely on the Ultra could be a dealbreaker for a large portion of potential foldable buyers. The Pro lineup, meanwhile, will remain the only iPhones with a complete pro-grade camera system. Optical zoom is still essential for capturing details without walking closer to the subject, and no amount of digital cropping can fully replace it.

Bonus: Traditional iPhone experience

Aside from hardware specs, the iPhone 18 Pro will offer something that is harder to quantify: the familiar iPhone experience. The Ultra will be a foldable with an outer display and a larger inner display. It will require users to adapt to a new way of holding, opening, and navigating their device. While foldable phones have a growing fanbase, they are still a niche form factor.

Apple’s classic slab design is comfortable, well understood, and supported by a huge ecosystem of cases, screen protectors, and accessories. It is also likely to be lighter and more pocketable than a foldable with two displays. For the average buyer, the traditional iPhone experience is a feature in itself. This might be especially true for people who upgrade every few years and expect the next iPhone to feel immediately familiar.

Every time Apple introduces a new product category, there is a period of adjustment. The Apple Watch, AirPods, and even the original iPhone all asked users to change their habits. Some early adopters will love the Ultra. Many others, however, will be happy to stick with a familiar device that simply does everything they expect from an iPhone. The Ultra may win over some enthusiasts, but the Pro lineup appears ready to remain the safer and arguably more complete purchase.

Which new iPhone model are you planning to buy this fall? Let us know in the comments.

Source: 9to5Mac News