The upcoming Apple keynote on September 9 is shaping up to be one of the most significant moments in the company's recent history. Beyond the typical hardware refreshes, this event marks a major shift in both corporate leadership and product philosophy. As Tim Cook prepares to hand the CEO role to John Ternus, the former Vice President of Hardware Engineering, Apple appears ready to finally enter the foldable smartphone market with a device that has been years in the making.
The transition at the top comes at a time when Apple is navigating a rapidly changing landscape defined by generative AI and maturing hardware categories. With Ternus, a known product builder, taking the helm, the focus of this event is expected to be on hardware innovation and the deep integration of new intelligence features across the ecosystem.
The Arrival of the iPhone Ultra Foldable
For more than five years, Apple has watched from the sidelines as competitors like Samsung and Google iterated on foldable designs. That period of observation is reportedly coming to an end. The centerpiece of the September event is expected to be a foldable device, potentially carrying the iPhone Ultra branding.
While Apple has remained officially silent, early reports and leaks from testers suggest a premium device designed to bridge the gap between a smartphone and a tablet. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the device is built to feel like a high-end iPhone in the pocket while unfolding into an expansive display similar to an iPad Mini.
The technical specifications currently circulating include:
- A 5.5 inch cover display for quick interactions when the device is closed.
- A 7.8 inch primary internal display when fully unfolded.
- A design that is slightly shorter and wider than the current iPhone Pro Max models to accommodate the folding mechanism.
- A custom display architecture designed to minimize the visibility of the screen crease, a persistent issue for other foldable manufacturers.
Innovation of this scale will come with a high cost. Analysts and reports indicate the foldable iPhone Ultra could be priced above $2,000. While this is significantly more expensive than a standard flagship, it remains below the $3,500 entry point of the Apple Vision Pro, positioning it as a high-end but more accessible productivity tool.
Hardware Trade-offs and Engineering Concessions
To maintain a sleek profile when the device is folded, Apple has reportedly had to make several hardware concessions. Unlike the iPhone Pro series, the foldable model is expected to skip the telephoto lens. Instead, it will likely feature a dual-lens system consisting of a main sensor and an ultra-wide sensor.
The authentication system is also seeing a change. To save internal space and keep the chassis thin, Apple is expected to forego Face ID in favor of a Touch ID sensor integrated into the side power button. This mirrors the design language seen in the iPad Air and iPad Mini.
The device will reportedly run iOS rather than iPadOS, though it is expected to feature a modified interface that supports side-by-side multitasking. This will allow users to run two applications simultaneously on each half of the internal display. Under the hood, the phone is rumored to be powered by the same high-efficiency silicon found in the upcoming MacBook Neo, providing the necessary overhead for complex multitasking and AI processing.
The iPhone 18 Strategy
For those not interested in the foldable form factor, Apple is still moving forward with its traditional smartphone lineup. However, the release schedule for the iPhone 18 series may look different this year. Leaks suggest that Apple may prioritize the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models in September, while the standard iPhone 18 might not arrive until early 2027.
This staggered release would be a first for the company and suggests a strategy focused on pushing early adopters toward the most advanced (and expensive) hardware first.
Siri, Gemini, and the Smart Home
Apple is also expected to use the September event to showcase the next evolution of its smart home ecosystem. Following reports of a partnership to bring Gemini-powered AI capabilities to Siri, a refreshed HomePod lineup is anticipated.
Evidence of these new devices was recently discovered within macOS preview builds. These new HomePods are expected to act as the primary interface for a much more capable Siri, moving the assistant beyond simple voice commands toward more complex, context-aware interactions.
AirPods with Visual Intelligence
Perhaps the most unexpected development is the rumored update to the AirPods line. Research into recent software builds has uncovered evidence of AirPods equipped with low-resolution camera modules. This feature, referred to as Visual Intelligence, is intended to turn the earbuds into a set of "eyes" for Siri.
A video found in a macOS preview build demonstrates a user wearing the AirPods and picking up a book, with a voiceover stating: "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later."
This technology is notably different from traditional wearable cameras. Mark Gurman has reported that "the cameras essentially act as eyes for the Siri digital assistant and aren’t designed to take photos or video." Instead, the components are designed to "capture visual information in low resolution" to help the AI understand the user's environment without the privacy implications of high-definition recording.
Privacy and Perspective
The introduction of camera-enabled wearables often triggers privacy concerns, as seen with previous attempts by other tech companies. However, Apple is expected to lean heavily on its reputation for on-device processing and data security to differentiate its product. By focusing on low-resolution data that Siri interprets rather than storing photos or videos, Apple aims to provide utility while avoiding the "pervert glasses" label that has plagued similar devices.
What happens on September 9 will likely set the tone for the Ternus era at Apple. Between a $2,000 foldable and AI-enhanced audio gear, the company is signaling that it is ready to take larger risks with its hardware than it has in recent years.
Filed under: AI, TechNews, Gadgets, ProductLaunches, Software, Apple, iPhone