In Apple’s glossary, the word “Ultra” means bigger: The M1 Ultra has 47 billion more transistors than even the new M2 Max, while the Apple Watch Ultra sports a 49mm display compared to the 41mm and 45mm Series 8. According to a new report, the iPhone Ultra could bring that same mentality to the iPhone line.
For months, we’ve expected the iPhone 15 Ultra to replace the iPhone 14 Pro Max with the same 6.7-inch ProMotion display but add higher-end features such as a titanium body and periscope zoom. In his latest Power On newsletter, however, Mark Gurman suggests that the Ultra line could become a third Pro-tier model with “further camera improvements, a faster chip, and perhaps an even larger display.” With a larger screen, Apple could make a phone even larger than the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which has a 6.8-inch display.
Even more surprising, he claims that the iPhone Ultra could drop the charging port in an effort to include “more future-forward features.” Apple is rumored to replace the Lightning port with USB-C on the entire iPhone 15 line, but a so-called “portless” iPhone is reportedly many years away. It could happen though—Apple supports two other charging standards: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, though both require a separate purchase.
Gurman says the main impetus behind the new larger iPhone Ultra would be to “drive up prices” by selling “even more upscale iPhones.” It’s been reported that the Phone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are much bigger sellers than the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, and Apple has considered dropping the price of the non-Pro phones later this year.
The iPhone 15 Ultra is expected to bring several new features to the iPhone, including a titanium frame, periscope zoom camera, and solid-state power buttons. It’s also rumored to pick up Wi-Fi 6E, which Apple has already brought to the iPad Pro, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro. In light of Gurman’s report, it’s unclear whether those features will be part of a separate iPhone 15 Ultra, with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro keeping a similar stainless steel frame and features.
For all the latest news and rumors about this year’s new phones, read our regularly updated iPhone 15 superguide.
Author: Michael Simon, Executive Editor
Michael Simon has been covering Apple since the iPod was the iWalk. His obsession with technology goes back to his first PC—the IBM Thinkpad with the lift-up keyboard for swapping out the drive. He's still waiting for that to come back in style tbh.