iPhone Ultra lacks telephoto camera

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports the foldable iPhone Ultra will ship without a telephoto lens, a.

Apple's first foldable iPhone, widely expected to be called iPhone Ultra, will lack a telephoto camera lens, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gizmodo reports this places the foldable device alongside the non-Pro iPhone 17, which also lacks a telephoto lens, rather than the Pro lineup that offers optical zoom. For a device rumored to be Apple's most expensive flagship, shipping without a photography staple expected in premium smartphones marks a notable design trade-off.

Gizmodo reports that the foldable iPhone will sport a main wide lens and an ultrawide, but no telephoto. This means users will still capture standard and ultrawide-angle shots, but zoomed-in photos will rely on cropping rather than true optical zoom. The iPhone 17 Pro, by contrast, offers a 4x telephoto option combined with a 48-megapixel sensor for continuous zoom. Gizmodo notes that cropping can produce decent results depending on the sensor, but it will never match the crispness of a dedicated optical telephoto lens.

For users who prioritize photography, Gizmodo reports that rumors from 9to5Mac and Tom's Guide suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could offer 6x optical zoom and possibly variable aperture photography, associated with prosumer and professional cameras. This points to what may be the most dynamic array of iPhone photography options ever, but on a rigid, non-foldable device. The contrast highlights a clear choice: cutting-edge foldable form factor or top-tier camera capabilities.

Beyond the camera, the iPhone Ultra faces significant supply constraints. According to MacRumors, the known leaker Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo claims that iPhone Ultra supply will be very limited at launch. Gizmodo separately reports the device could cost up to $2,500, and availability may be tight. These factors compound the trade-offs: a premium price, scarce supply, and a missing telephoto lens for early adopters willing to pay a premium.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Ultra at its September event. According to 9to5Mac, Apple has announced its annual iPhone event exactly 14 days in advance for four consecutive years, and Wednesday, September 9 is the leading possibility for the event itself. If that pattern holds, August 26 would be the strongest prediction for Apple's event invitation. 9to5Mac also notes this will be the first iPhone event of the Ternus era, as John Ternus becomes CEO on September 1.

Gizmodo suggests that if a telephoto lens matters to you, skipping the foldable entirely and opting for the iPhone 18 Pro Max may be the better choice. The foldable iPhone's omission of optical zoom leaves an opening for future iterations. As Gizmodo notes, maybe next year will bring a higher-priced foldable model with a telephoto lens. For now, the first foldable iPhone prioritizes the hinge, pocketability, and tablet-like display experience over pro-grade zoom photography.