Apple's Foldable iPhone Ultra Expected to Dominate September Event
Apple's September 9 event is anticipated to showcase its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Ultra, which reportedly features a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch unfolded screen. The device is said to omit a telephoto camera and Face ID, instead using a dual-lens rear camera and a side-mounted Touch ID button. Updates to AirPods and HomePods are also expected to be announced.
The launch coincides with a major leadership transition, as Tim Cook hands the CEO role to John Ternus. Entering the foldable market over five years after Samsung, Apple is pricing the device above $2,000, though early testers reportedly praise its premium feel and pocketability.
To achieve a slim profile, the device sacrifices a telephoto lens and Face ID, opting for a dual-camera setup and side-mounted fingerprint sensor. It will run iOS on a chip shared with the budget MacBook Neo, and Apple claims to have minimized the visible display crease.
The $2,000+ price point could restrict the foldable iPhone to a niche of early adopters, though its arrival may pressure competitors to refine their own designs. Consumers accustomed to Face ID and telephoto lenses may find the hardware compromises frustrating, while the delayed standard iPhone 18 could disrupt typical upgrade cycles. The leadership transition might also signal a shift in Apple's long-term product priorities.