Apple is gearing up to unveil what might be its most significant iPhone redesign in many years this Wednesday. This will be a crucial moment for new CEO John Ternus, as he’ll need to demonstrate whether he can spark renewed innovation at the tech giant during a challenging period.
The tech company, based in Cupertino, California, is expected to reveal its first-ever foldable iPhone at its annual product event, alongside new high-end iPhone 18 models and potential updates to its home and wearable devices, as various reports suggest.
This new device — which may be called something like “iPhone Ultra” or “iPhone Fold” — is rumored to be about the size of a passport when closed, but it can expand to reveal a larger display with an approximate 4:3 aspect ratio.
Introducing this foldable would mark a major shift from the traditional iPhone design as Apple looks to find another major hardware success story.
Its Vision Pro headset, which launched to a lot of excitement in 2024, hasn’t quite resonated with consumers yet.
This product launch follows closely on the heels of Ternus taking over from longtime CEO Tim Cook just last Tuesday. Ternus, a 50-year-old veteran at Apple, previously led the hardware division.
He steps into a company facing scrutiny over its artificial intelligence strategy, notably the long-overdue update of Siri, as well as concerns about whether it can produce another blockbuster product, especially given that its existing offerings are starting to feel a bit stale.
How well these new products will satisfy discerning customer expectations will be one of the main focal points this Wednesday.
Additionally, Apple might unveil a long-speculated home hub equipped with a display and smart speaker capabilities, potentially serving as a central control point for connected devices and entertainment, according to Bloomberg.
Expected updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini could include new internal hardware tailored to support Apple’s refreshed AI-driven Siri, as per the report.
Refreshes of the Apple Watch and AirPods are also anticipated, with updates that may include the Series 12 and Ultra 4 models.
The new watches are expected to receive enhancements to their chips aimed at improving fitness features but without major design changes.
Apple is also likely to provide showcases for the finalized versions of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27. The foldable device is expected to run a version of iOS 27 modified for its dual-display setup.
Reports indicate that launches for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are also on the horizon.
These Pro models are expected to incorporate Apple’s new A20 chip, alongside upgrades to their cameras, changes to the Dynamic Island feature, and new color options.
On the other hand, the standard iPhone 18 and a successor to the iPhone Air may not be introduced at the same time as the Pro models.
Apple plans to start staging its iPhone launches between the fall and spring, with the iPhone 18 and the new iPhone Air likely to be revealed in March, according to Fast Company.
One of the most pressing questions to be raised on Wednesday will revolve around how much Apple plans to charge for this new lineup.
This past summer, the company raised prices for iPads, Macs, and home products due to an AI-driven memory shortage, but the iPhone did not see similar hikes.
However, this price freeze is expected to come to an end with the iPhone 18 Pro series, which is projected to have higher prices than the current offerings.
