Apple is expected to unveil its most radical iPhone redesign in years this Wednesday — giving new CEO John Ternus an early test of whether he can reignite innovation at the tech giant during a challenging time.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based company is set to introduce its first-ever foldable iPhone at its annual product showcase, alongside new high-end iPhone 18 models and possible updates to its home and wearable devices, according to reports.
The new tech — rumored to have names like “iPhone Ultra” or “iPhone fold” — is expected to be about the size of a passport when fully folded, with the capacity to fold out to a wider display with a roughly 4:3 aspect ratio.
The foldable would represent a significant departure from the familiar iPhone design and arrives as Apple searches for another breakout hardware success.
Its Vision Pro headset, which debuted to much fanfare in 2024, has yet to connect with consumers.
The launch comes just days after Ternus took over from longtime CEO Tim Cook last Tuesday. The 50-year-old Apple veteran previously ran the company’s hardware division.
He inherited a company facing questions about its artificial intelligence strategy — including a long-delayed overhaul of Siri — and whether it can deliver another blockbuster product as its existing lineup ages.
Whether a new crop of products can meet picky customers’ demands will be one of the main questions in the air on Wednesday.
Apple may unveil a long-rumored home hub featuring a display and smart-speaker capabilities that would serve as a central control point for connected devices and entertainment, according to Bloomberg.
Updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini are expected, with new internal hardware designed to accommodate Apple’s revamped AI-powered Siri, the outlet reported.
The company is expected to refresh its wearables, too, with new AirPods and Apple Watch models including the Series 12 and Ultra 4.
The watches are set to receive chip upgrades aimed at expanding their fitness features without a major exterior redesign.
Apple is also expected to showcase the finished versions of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 and visionOS 27. The foldable is expected to run an iteration of iOS 27 adapted for its two-display configuration.
Rollouts of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are reportedly on the way, too.
The Pro handsets are expected to feature Apple’s new A20 chip along with camera upgrades, changes to the Dynamic Island and additional color options.
The standard iPhone 18 and a successor to the iPhone Air, however, reportedly won’t arrive alongside the Pro models.
Apple is set to begin splitting its iPhone launches between the fall and the spring, with reveals of the iPhone 18 and new iPhone Air coming in March, according to Fast Company.
One of the biggest questions Wednesday will be what Apple charges for the new lineup.
The company raised prices on iPads, Macs and home products over the summer amid an AI-fueled memory shortage, but spared the iPhone from those increases.
That reprieve is likely to end with the iPhone 18 Pro series, which is expected to carry higher prices than the current models.