[Digital Today reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] With the possibility being raised that Apple's first foldable iPhone could be released under the name "iPhone Ultra", a forecast says some core features may be left out despite its top-tier positioning. Observers say it could exclude Face ID, a telephoto camera, the Action button, MagSafe and a physical SIM card slot to secure the thin profile typical of foldables.

TechRadar reported on Sept. 6 (local time) that Apple may forgo some components and functions used in existing iPhones to reduce the thickness of its first foldable iPhone. If the product is released as the "iPhone Ultra", the price is expected to be set high, but the feature set could be designed in a different direction from the existing Pro and Pro Max models.

The biggest expected change is the biometric authentication method. Apple is said to be considering equipping the foldable iPhone with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the power button instead of Face ID.

The TrueDepth camera system required for Face ID needs multiple sensors and components, which could make it difficult to place inside a thin foldable device. Face ID has been consistently maintained in recent high-end iPhones, so if Touch ID returns on a foldable model, a significant change in user experience is expected.

The camera setup could also be simpler than existing top-end iPhones. It has been raised that the back may include only wide and ultra-wide cameras, excluding a telephoto camera. Apple has already excluded a telephoto camera from the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone Air, but it keeps the telephoto camera on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. If the foldable iPhone drops the telephoto function, some also point out there could be a gap between the "Ultra" product name and the actual camera specifications.

The physical button layout could also change. A leaked dummy device did not show an Action button, and the existing mute switch is also said to have disappeared. The Action button first appeared in the iPhone 15 Pro series and later expanded to multiple models. But forecasts say the foldable iPhone could exclude related components to reduce device thickness. If the actual product comes in the same form as the leaked dummy device, it could become the first iPhone to have neither an Action button nor a mute switch.

MagSafe is a feature with mixed outlooks. After some dummy devices did not show a MagSafe magnetic ring, observers said wireless charging and accessory attachment functions could be removed. By contrast, Mark Gurman, known for Apple-related outlooks, said in an interview with Tom's Guide that the information he has seen points to MagSafe being included on the foldable iPhone.

Gurman explained that because Apple was able to apply MagSafe even to the thinner iPhone Air, there is little reason to exclude the feature on the foldable iPhone. MagSafe is therefore likely to remain disputed as being included or not until launch.

The physical SIM card slot is seen as a feature more likely to be excluded. Apple has already removed the physical SIM card slot and supports only eSIM in some regions, including the United States.

Forecasts say that policy could be expanded worldwide for the foldable iPhone, with an eSIM-only model launched regardless of country. It is a familiar change for U.S. consumers, but in regions that use physical SIM cards, the perceived change compared with existing iPhones could be large.

Ultimately, Apple's first foldable iPhone may be a product that prioritises portability and thickness rather than concentrating all existing iPhone functions, despite an image as a premium model.

In particular, if features that symbolise high-end iPhones, such as Face ID and a telephoto camera, are removed, controversy could arise over the balance between price and specifications. Conversely, if the thickness and portability of the foldable device can be greatly improved, consumers may accept the choice to give up some features.

Whether Apple's first foldable iPhone is actually released under the name "Ultra", and which features it keeps and removes, are expected to remain key points to watch until launch.