Apple’s September 9 event is widely expected to include the company’s first foldable iPhone along with updates to AirPods and HomePod. The presentation has drawn extra attention as reports say Tim Cook will hand off the CEO role to John Ternus, former Vice President of Hardware Engineering, raising expectations around the new form factor and device lineup.
What leaks say about the foldable “iPhone Ultra”
Multiple leaks suggest Apple is entering the foldable market more than five years after Samsung. Insiders describe the device as having a premium feel, pocket-friendly when folded, and opening into a wide, iPad-like display.
Reported specifications include a roughly 5.5-inch cover display that expands to about 7.8 inches when unfolded. The phone is said to look shorter and wider when folded compared with a typical iPhone. Several reports indicate the device will cost more than $2,000, positioning it well above typical iPhone prices but still below the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro headset.
To keep the device compact when folded, Apple reportedly omitted a telephoto camera; instead the rear camera system would include two lenses: a main and an ultra-wide, similar to Apple’s more basic iPhone models. MagSafe is expected to remain, while Face ID may be dropped to save space in favor of a side-mounted Touch ID fingerprint button.
One longstanding issue with foldable displays is the visible crease where the screen folds; reports suggest Apple has worked on a display where that crease is less noticeable. The foldable iPhone is also expected to support side-by-side multitasking, running two apps simultaneously on the unfolded screen. Despite its tablet-like size when open, the device is said to run iOS rather than iPadOS. Some sources also link the same chip rumored for the foldable to the budget MacBook Neo.
Non-folding iPhones will still be renewed
If a foldable device isn’t appealing or is beyond a buyer’s budget, Apple is also expected to refresh the iPhone 18 lineup. Leaks have focused on iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models; fewer details exist about the standard iPhone 18, which one rumor predicts could arrive six months after the September event — a possible first for Apple if accurate.
Siri, HomePod updates and AirPods with cameras hinted in macOS preview
Apple’s rollout of a Gemini-powered Siri update is expected to coincide with refreshed HomePods. Users inspecting a macOS preview build reportedly found references to unreleased products, including new HomePods.
A surprising discovery in that preview was evidence Apple may be developing AirPods with built-in cameras. Researcher Aaron Perris found a video where a person wearing AirPods picks up a book; a voice-over in the clip says: “With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later.”
Such capabilities raise privacy concerns because the device would capture visual context. Mark Gurman has reported that the cameras are meant to act as “eyes for the Siri digital assistant” and are not designed for traditional photo or video capture. According to reports, the earbuds would capture low-resolution visual information to assist the assistant rather than to create full-resolution photos or videos.
What to expect at the event
On September 9, Apple is expected to present its first foldable iPhone, additional iPhone 18 models, and accessory updates that tie into a Siri visual-intelligence initiative. Official specifications, pricing and release dates will be confirmed when Apple makes its announcements.
