No Face ID? Apple's First Foldable iPhone Could Miss These Key iPhone 18 Pro Features

Apple is set to unveil its latest iPhone lineup, which is expected to include the company's first foldable device. According to coverage from The Guardian and AP News, this launch coincides with John Ternus stepping up as the CEO of the company. Reports from Macworld suggest that this foldable model, potentially named the iPhone Ultra, could arrive as early as this week. Simultaneously, the standard high-end lineup includes the iPhone 18 Pro, which features a new deluxe camera capable of shooting photos with starbursts, as detailed in a hands-on report by CNET. This launch event is positioned by Forbes as the beginning of the 2026-2027 tech season, which is expected to consist of over 40 industry events. Much of the current discourse focuses on the technical trade-offs of the foldable hardware. NDTV and MacRumors have highlighted that the foldable iPhone, also referred to as the iPhone Duo, may lack several key features found in the iPhone 18 Pro.

Specifically, there are reports that the device could miss Face ID. MacRumors identifies a total of ten iPhone 18 Pro features that the iPhone Duo is missing. This technical gap is a primary point of emphasis for technology outlets tracking the specifications of the new hardware, as the company attempts to balance the mechanics of a folding screen with the biometric and camera standards set by its Pro series. From a market perspective, the introduction of a foldable device is described by Barron's as Apple's biggest test in several years. The financial implications of the launch are already being analyzed, particularly regarding the cost of the new technology. Yahoo Finance reports that investors likely do not need to worry about a potential $2,000 price tag for the foldable device. This suggests a high-premium positioning for the product, targeting a luxury segment of the market while the company navigates a significant change in executive leadership during this product rollout.

Observers are now looking toward the official launch event to confirm the final specifications and pricing. NDTV has already provided details regarding the live stream and the specific timing for the launch in India. The key points of interest will be the confirmation of the 'iPhone Duo' or 'iPhone Ultra' branding and whether the absence of Face ID is confirmed. Further attention will be placed on how CEO John Ternus presents the foldable strategy as he takes center stage for the first time during a major hardware unveiling. The industry will be watching to see if the deluxe camera features of the 18 Pro are mirrored in the foldable model.