Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone
Apple’s September 9 event may also bring iPhone 18 Pro models, while leaks point to HomePod updates and AirPods with cameras.
Apple is expected to use this week’s launch event to introduce its first foldable iPhone, entering a market Samsung joined more than five years ago. The presentation is getting unusual attention not just because of the device itself, but also because Tim Cook is preparing to hand the CEO role to John Ternus. Leaks also point to a broader hardware push, including updates to the iPhone 18 line, HomePod, and AirPods.
A foldable iPhone would put Apple into a new device category with a premium-priced product. That alone makes the event stand out. And if the reported lineup is accurate, Apple is not stopping there.
Apple’s first foldable is the center of attention
The device drawing the most scrutiny is the foldable iPhone, which some reports call the “iPhone Ultra.” It is expected to cost more than $2,000, making it one of Apple’s most expensive phone launches and an especially closely watched one.
According to Bloomberg’s Apple insider Mark Gurman, early testers have described the device positively. IT-PUB News notes that the same reports say it feels premium, fits well in a pocket, and opens into a wider display that resembles an iPad. When folded, it is expected to look shorter and wider than a standard iPhone.
The reported screen sizes suggest Apple is aiming for a hybrid device that works as both a regular phone and a small tablet. The cover display is expected to measure 5.5 inches, while the unfolded screen would expand to 7.8 inches. That design would give users more room for reading, browsing, and multitasking without carrying two devices.
Apple may cut some features to keep the design slim
Foldable phones are hard to build without trade-offs, and Apple appears to be making a few. The reported design leaves out a telephoto camera, which some buyers may expect on a device at this price. Instead, it is said to use a dual rear camera system with a main lens and an ultra-wide lens, similar to Apple’s more basic iPhones.
Other rumored choices also seem aimed at saving space. The device is expected to support MagSafe, Apple’s magnetic wireless charging and accessory system, but not Face ID. Instead, it would use a Touch ID fingerprint button on the side. For users accustomed to unlocking their phones with facial recognition, that would be a noticeable change.
The foldable iPhone is also expected to support side-by-side multitasking, letting two apps run at once on the unfolded display. Even with a screen that opens up like a small iPad, it would still run iOS rather than iPadOS. The source says Apple’s newer chips should be able to handle that setup, and adds that the same chip reportedly powers Apple’s budget MacBook Neo laptop.
Apple also appears to be addressing one of the longest-running complaints about foldables — the visible crease in the display. On many rival devices, the bend remains easy to spot when the screen is open. Apple is reportedly trying to make that crease less visible, though the source does not suggest it has been eliminated entirely.
The base iPhone 18 may arrive later
Not everyone watching the event is focused on the foldable model. Apple is also expected to introduce new devices in the iPhone 18 line, including the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The standard iPhone 18, however, is not expected to appear at the same time.
The source says the regular model is predicted to arrive six months after the September event. If that happens, it would be a first for Apple, with the premium versions arriving ahead of the base model. That would mark a break from the company’s usual launch pattern and could influence how buyers time their upgrades.
For customers, that split release would mean more premium options now and a longer wait for the more familiar entry-level model. For Apple, it would further underline how much of this cycle appears to be centered on higher-end hardware.
HomePod and AirPods may get the oddest updates
Apple’s plans may not end with phones. The company is also expected to refresh the HomePod, its smart speaker line and rival to products like the Amazon Echo.
Hints of unreleased HomePod hardware were recently spotted by users digging through a macOS preview build. The source does not say what changes the new model would bring, only that references to it appeared in the software.
The more unexpected leak involves AirPods. A video found in the same macOS preview build appears to show AirPods with built-in cameras. In the clip, a person wearing the earbuds picks up a book while a voiceover says, “With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later.”
That points to Apple exploring earbuds that can collect visual information for Siri-related features. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the cameras would serve as “eyes” for the Siri digital assistant and would not be intended for taking photos or video. He also said the components would capture visual information in low resolution.
Camera-equipped AirPods could bring privacy concerns
AirPods with cameras are likely to draw attention not just because the idea is unusual, but because the privacy concerns are obvious. A device that can see what the wearer sees may feel intrusive to some people, especially if it is used in public and tied to an assistant feature.
The source says comparisons to Meta’s criticized “pervert glasses” are likely, though it does not say Apple has responded to that. It also notes that Apple has built part of its brand around privacy, which could shape how any such product is received if it is announced.
For now, the AirPods camera feature appears to be something Apple is developing rather than a finished product ready for launch. The same caution applies to the other products mentioned in the leaks. Even so, the reports point to a broader Apple push across foldables, wearables, and assistant-driven devices.
