Ultra advantages over iPhone 18 Pro: displays, portability, exclusive multitasking

The first advantage concerns displays. The iPhone Ultra is rumored to have a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded, compared with the 6.3-inch screen of the iPhone 18 Pro and the 6.9-inch screen of the Pro Max. This makes the Ultra the better choice for anyone wanting the largest iPhone screen, while also offering a smaller external display that may appeal to fans of compact phones like the discontinued iPhone mini.

The second advantage is portability. 9to5Mac notes that the iPhone 18 Pro and especially the iPhone 18 Pro Max can be uncertain fits for pockets, an issue already apparent with the iPhone 17 Pro models. While this year's dimensions are expected to be largely similar, rumors indicate the devices could get even thicker to accommodate a new camera system. The iPhone Ultra, by contrast, features a compact form factor when folded, which should allow it to fit in far more pockets with ease. Its Air-inspired design is also expected to be more comfortable in hand than the bulkier Pro models.

The third advantage is software. Side-by-side apps are rumored to be an exclusive multitasking feature of the iPhone Ultra, allowing users to keep two apps active on screen simultaneously when the device is unfolded, with drag-and-drop supported between apps. iOS 27 also introduces landscape support to many system apps for the first time, a feature intended for the Ultra's 7.8-inch display but available on other models as well. This could enable an iPad-like app experience on the large screen.