As someone who has been building Apple’s hardware for over two decades, from the Cinema Display to the iPhone Air, Mr. On September 9, Apple starts a new chapter. Ternus is expected to unveil the $4.6 trillion company’s first foldable iPhone.
The “Surprise and Shine” event at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino will be the first product launch under CEO John Ternus, who formally took over from Tim Cook on September 1.
Software dates, not software drama
Given Mr. Ternus’s track record of coordinating hardware and silicon teams, as seen with the iPhone Air’s tightly integrated chassis, chip, and modem, expect the foldable to lean heavily on custom engineering rather than a straightforward hinge-and-glass exercise. These are two time-tested variants in the iPhone line-up and so expect design continuity rather than reinvention with some minor changes like a smaller Dynamic Island. This would mean premium hardware in September, and affordable models later. Don’t expect deep dives into Apple Intelligence or Siri here as this event is traditionally about hardware and release windows.
Alongside the fold, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Separately, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air’s next generation may get pushed to spring 2027, suggesting Apple may be splitting its iPhone cycle for the first time in years. Apple is likely to confirm launch dates for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, but the harder questions about Apple’s AI strategy will probably wait for another day.
It is widely speculated that the first foldable iPhone would be called “ultra”, and that it would be Apple’s biggest form-factor shift since the iPhone X ditched the home button in 2017.
