Apple's $2,000 Foldable iPhone Could Ditch Face ID for Side Touch ID
Buying Apple’s upcoming foldable phone could mean spending over $2,000 while giving up two core features standard on current flagship iPhones. Ahead of Apple’s September 9 event, leaks surrounding the long-rumored device, widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra, point to a book-style folding design that sacrifices Face ID and a dedicated telephoto camera to achieve an exceptionally thin frame.
While Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the device is on the launch agenda, the engineering trade-offs behind this radical hardware overhaul reveal what everyday usability might look like.
Structural trade-offs for a 4.5mm chassis
Unlocking the foldable iPhone may require pressing a finger against the power button rather than looking at the screen. Reports indicate Apple is replacing Face ID with a side-mounted Touch ID sensor, similar to the biometric setup used on recent iPad models.
The hardware shift comes down to physical space. When unfolded, the device is expected to measure roughly 4.5mm thin. That paper-thin profile leaves virtually no room to embed the multi-component TrueDepth camera system required for facial recognition.
While Touch ID offers robust security, it changes basic daily routines. Face ID has been the default unlock and verification system across flagship iPhones since the iPhone X debuted in 2017. Moving to a physical fingerprint reader means glances won’t authorize Apple Pay, open locked apps, or wake the device while it sits flat on a desk.
Dual cameras and mini-tablet multitasking
Camera capabilities are taking a clear step back compared to current Pro models. The foldable iPhone is expected to pack just two rear cameras: a primary wide lens and an ultra-wide lens.
To fit inside the slim chassis, Apple is dropping the dedicated telephoto lens entirely. Because long optical zoom mechanisms require physical depth, the ultra-thin housing simply can’t accommodate one. Buyers paying upwards of $2,000 will have to rely on digital zoom for distant shots.
In exchange for those camera and sensor cuts, the hardware expands into a mini tablet when opened. The book-style design pairs a standard outer display for quick messaging with a larger inner screen designed for side-by-side apps, video streaming, and gaming. To support the broader display, iOS is expected to adopt iPad-like interface tweaks, including responsive sidebars and simpler split-screen multitasking.
Apple has spent years refining a specialized hinge built with advanced metal components to reduce the center display crease that plagues competing foldables from Samsung, Google, and Huawei. Whether that engineering hurdle justifies losing key camera and biometric hardware becomes clear once official details land.
