Why Apple’s first foldable iPhone may be called Duo, not Ultra

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, expected to be unveiled later today, may be called the iPhone Duo rather than the iPhone Ultra. The Ultra name had previously been widely expected for the device.

Apple has not confirmed the product’s name. The Duo designation was reported one day before the expected launch.

Foldable model may have limitations

One explanation is that the foldable iPhone will not be Apple’s top-end handset. Earlier reports suggest it may lack a variable-aperture main camera, a telephoto camera and Face ID, while also offering shorter battery life than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Those reports also say it could fall behind the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in other areas.

Apple’s product names have not always matched relative performance, however. The MacBook Air was heavier than the 12-inch MacBook in 2015, and the Mac Studio was more powerful than the Mac Pro in 2022.

Ultra could be reserved for another iPhone

A second possibility is that Apple is saving the Ultra name for an anniversary iPhone expected next year, marking the lineup’s 20th anniversary. Such a model could combine a new design with the capabilities associated with the Pro range.

Another possibility is that Apple is developing a different, higher-end model and does not intend to use Ultra for the foldable phone. The article speculates that such a device could offer substantially stronger camera capabilities, including a much larger sensor, but does not define its form.

It is also possible that none of these explanations is correct and that Apple will never release an iPhone Ultra.