[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] With speculation that Apple may build its top iPhone lineup this fall around the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra, the two models are expected to differ clearly in everything from design to cameras and thermal structure.

According to IT outlet 9to5Mac on April 29, Apple is expected to keep the existing bar-style design in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, while the iPhone Ultra could be differentiated as the first foldable iPhone.

The biggest difference is the form factor. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to keep a rectangular bar design similar to existing iPhones. The screen size and overall appearance are also likely to show no major change from the previous model. The iPhone Ultra, by contrast, is expected to be Apple’s first foldable iPhone. Its external display could adopt a shorter and wider aspect ratio than a standard iPhone, while its internal screen could be a large display closer to the iPad mini. The outlet described this as the “clearest and most important difference.”

Camera strategy is likely to tilt more toward the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple has so far applied its newest camera technology first to Pro models, and analysis suggests that approach could continue this year.

The iPhone Ultra is also expected to share a similar setup to the Pro models in many areas, including the main camera, ultrawide camera and front camera. A telephoto camera, however, may be excluded. The telephoto camera has also been mentioned as possibly receiving further improvements on this year’s Pro models, raising the possibility it could be a key differentiator in camera performance.

On performance, both products are likely to use the same A20 Pro chip, but some analysis suggests differences could emerge in real-world use. The key variables are the thermal structure and materials. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to keep an aluminium unibody design similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, and could also adopt vapor-chamber cooling. Vapor-chamber cooling is a technology used in high-performance smartphones to dissipate heat effectively and can help improve sustained performance during prolonged high-load tasks.

The iPhone Ultra, by contrast, is being discussed as possibly adopting a titanium-based design similar to the iPhone Air. Vapor-chamber cooling, however, could be omitted. That would mean sustained performance could be weaker than the iPhone 18 Pro in high-temperature conditions or during prolonged high-load tasks such as gaming and video editing, even if the same chip is used. 9to5Mac said the iPhone Ultra could “fall behind in performance under sunlight or in intensive work environments.”

The market is watching whether the change could go beyond a simple feature difference and link to a shift in Apple’s product strategy. The iPhone 18 Pro is likely to focus on a traditional user experience favoured by existing users, top-level cameras and stable sustained performance.

The iPhone Ultra, on the other hand, is being interpreted as a product that seeks differentiation by emphasising a new foldable form factor and large-screen usability. Still, with expected compromises in parts of the camera setup and thermal structure, some analysis suggests it will focus more on delivering a new user experience than on competing for the highest specifications.

As a result, consumer selection criteria could also split clearly. Consumers who value a telephoto camera, sustained performance over long periods and a familiar iPhone experience are likely to prefer the iPhone 18 Pro, while consumers seeking a new form factor such as a folding screen and large-screen use may show interest in the iPhone Ultra, according to the outlook.

So far, Apple has not officially confirmed the related details, and the launch timing and pricing strategy for its first foldable iPhone have not been disclosed.