Apple’s Foldable iPhone Could Finally Arrive This Week

Apple may be ready to make one of its biggest hardware moves in years. The company is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone at its September 9 event, more than five years after Samsung entered the foldable-phone market.

Apple’s annual iPhone launches are always closely watched, but this year could be particularly significant. Alongside the arrival of a completely new iPhone form factor, the company is also preparing for a major leadership transition. Tim Cook is expected to hand over the CEO role to former Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus.

As usual, Apple has kept quiet about what it plans to announce. But a steady stream of leaks and reports has offered clues about what could be coming. The foldable iPhone is likely to be the main attraction, while Apple could also introduce updates to AirPods, HomePods and other models in the iPhone 18 lineup.

A $2,000-plus foldable iPhone

Apple’s first foldable phone is reportedly going to be expensive, with its price expected to exceed $2,000. That would make it one of the company’s most expensive consumer devices, although it would still cost less than the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro headset.

The company appears to be betting that the premium design will justify the price. Bloomberg’s Apple insider Mark Gurman has reported that people who claim to have tested the device have had positive experiences. The phone reportedly feels premium, fits comfortably into a pocket and opens into a much larger display resembling a small iPad.

The rumored design includes a 5.5-inch outer display that expands to 7.8 inches when unfolded. Once closed, the phone is expected to be shorter and wider than a conventional iPhone.

There are some compromises, however. The foldable reportedly won’t include a telephoto camera. Instead, it is expected to feature a dual-camera setup with a main and ultra-wide lens, similar to the camera arrangement found on Apple’s more basic iPhones.

Touch ID could replace Face ID

Apple is also rumored to bring MagSafe to the foldable iPhone, allowing users to use the company’s magnetic wireless charging and accessory system.

But fitting all the technology into a thin foldable design may mean saying goodbye to Face ID. Reports suggest Apple could use a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into a button on the side of the device instead.

For users accustomed to Face ID, that could take some adjustment, although using a fingerprint button would still be a relatively simple way to unlock the phone.

The foldable is also expected to support multitasking, allowing two apps to run side by side on the expanded screen. Despite its iPad-like appearance when opened, the device is reportedly expected to run iOS rather than iPadOS.

Performance shouldn’t be a major concern. The same powerful chip is reportedly being used in Apple’s budget MacBook Neo laptop.

Apple may have solved the foldable crease

One of the biggest complaints about foldable phones is the visible crease that appears where the display bends. Apple may be trying to avoid that problem.

Reports suggest the company has developed a display where the crease is significantly less noticeable. If accurate, this could become one of the most important design advantages of Apple’s first foldable.

The iPhone 18 lineup is also coming

For buyers who have no interest in a foldable phone—or simply don’t want to spend more than $2,000—Apple is expected to introduce new iPhone 18 models as well.

Leaks have provided information about the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while details about the standard iPhone 18 remain limited. Interestingly, the standard model is predicted to arrive about six months after the September event.

If that happens, it would mark the first time Apple releases its premium iPhone models before the standard version.

New HomePods and camera-equipped AirPods?

Apple’s hardware announcements may not stop with the iPhone. With the company moving forward with its Gemini-powered Siri AI update, a refreshed HomePod could also be on the way.

Users examining a macOS preview build recently discovered references to unreleased products, including new HomePod models.

Even more surprising were clues pointing to AirPods with built-in cameras.

Researcher Aaron Perris reportedly discovered a video inside the same macOS preview showing someone wearing AirPods while picking up a book. The video suggests the earbuds could work with Visual Intelligence, allowing Siri to understand and save information from the user’s surroundings.

The idea of earbuds equipped with cameras is likely to raise privacy concerns. Some users may compare the concept to Meta’s controversial camera-equipped glasses. Apple, however, has built much of its brand around privacy, which could give the company an opportunity to approach the technology differently.

According to Gurman, the cameras would not primarily be designed to capture photos or video. Instead, they would effectively serve as “eyes” for Siri, allowing the assistant to collect visual information at low resolution.

With a foldable iPhone, new iPhone 18 models, updated HomePods and potentially camera-equipped AirPods all in the mix, Apple’s September 9 event could be one of its most significant product launches in years.

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