Hajra Naz
It’s finally happening. This week, we’re likely about to see Apple’s first foldable iPhone. That’s more than five years after Samsung launched its first foldable phone.
Apple’s annual iPhone events are always interesting in some way. Still, this year’s presentation stands out as one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Tim Cook is handing off the CEO role. His successor is John Ternus, former Vice President of Hardware Engineering. Given this transition, expectations are running high for Apple’s next devices. That’s especially true since the company is embracing an entirely new form factor.
Apple typically stays tight-lipped about upcoming products. Still, leaks inevitably surface beforehand. These leaks give us insight into what to expect at the September 9 Apple event. The foldable iPhone remains the most exciting rumor. Still, we’re also anticipating news about AirPods, HomePods, and the standard iPhone 18 lineup.
We Know About the Foldable “iPhone Ultra”
Apple has made consumers wait over half a decade for a foldable device. Given that wait, its first attempt needs to deliver. This matters especially since reports suggest a steep price. The phone could cost more than $2,000. At least it’s cheaper than the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro headset. Unlike headsets, though, people actually buy smartphones regularly.
There’s some encouraging news here too. Reported early testers of the device have shared positive impressions. According to Bloomberg’s Apple insider Mark Gurman, the foldable iPhone has a premium feel. It reportedly fits nicely into a pocket. It opens into a wide, iPad-like display. The phone is expected to feature a 5.5-inch cover display. That expands to 7.8 inches once fully unfolded. When folded, the device should appear shorter and wider than a typical iPhone.
To keep the folded design sleek enough for pockets, Apple reportedly made some compromises. The device is expected to skip a telephoto camera entirely. That could disappoint buyers spending this much money on a phone. Still, the device is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera system. That includes a main lens and an ultra-wide lens, similar to Apple’s more basic iPhone models.
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Rumors suggest Apple will include MagSafe. That’s the magnetic wireless charging and accessory system. However, the phone reportedly won’t include Face ID. This decision helps save internal space. Instead, the device will likely rely on a Touch ID fingerprint button on its side. This shouldn’t be a major inconvenience. Pressing a button is roughly as simple as looking at a screen. Still, it may take some adjustment for users accustomed to Face ID.
Like other foldable phones, the iPhone Ultra is expected to support side-by-side multitasking. This would let users run two apps simultaneously, one on each half of the unfolded screen. Even though it resembles a small iPad when opened, it will reportedly still run iOS. This differs from iPadOS. That shouldn’t cause concern, though. Apple’s newest chips are powerful enough to handle this workload easily. In fact, the same chip reportedly powers Apple’s budget MacBook Neo laptop.
Foldable phone users have long dealt with one persistent issue. That’s the visible “crease” that appears on the display. With other companies’ foldable phones, this crease becomes obvious once the phone opens. It’s historically been a difficult technical problem to solve. Apple has reportedly developed a display where this crease is far less visible.
Don’t Worry, Non-Folding iPhones Are Still Coming
If foldables aren’t for you, there’s no need to worry. That’s also true if you’d rather not spend double the price on your next phone. Apple is also expected to release new devices in the iPhone 18 line. We’ve heard leaks specifically about the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Less information has emerged about the standard iPhone 18 model. That device is predicted to arrive six months after the September event. That timing would mark a first for Apple. The company would release premium models before the standard version.
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Siri-Powered HomePods and AirPods With Cameras?
Apple is finally moving forward with a Gemini-powered Siri AI update. Alongside that update, the company is also expected to refresh the HomePod. That’s Apple’s smart speaker, positioned as a competitor to devices like the Amazon Echo line.
References to unreleased products recently surfaced online. That includes hints about new HomePods. Users discovered these references while digging through a macOS preview build.
The most surprising discovery involves a different product entirely. Apple appears to be developing AirPods with built-in cameras. Within that same macOS preview, researcher Aaron Perris found a revealing video. It showed someone wearing the AirPods while picking up a book.
“With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later,” a voiceover in the video says.
Some users may feel uneasy about a device capable of seeing what they see. Comparisons to Meta’s controversial camera-equipped glasses seem inevitable here. Still, there’s reason for cautious optimism. Apple has built much of its brand around privacy. Many hope the company will handle this feature more carefully than competitors have.
Gurman has reported additional details about this feature. He said the cameras essentially function as “eyes” for the Siri digital assistant. According to Gurman, they aren’t designed to capture photos or video directly. Instead, the earbuds’ components allow them to capture visual information at low resolution only.
