- Apple is expected to unveil a long-rumored foldable iPhone, possibly called the iPhone Ultra or Duo, at its annual hardware event on Wednesday in Cupertino, California.
- This event will mark the first major one under new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1.
- The foldable iPhone is seen as a test for Apple, which has not had a breakout hit since the AirPods 10 years ago.
- The foldable iPhone is expected to start at $2,000, according to reports.
- Around 2020, Tim Cook returned from Asia energized about foldable phones and pushed Apple to accelerate its efforts.
- Apple's foldable project, code-named V68, was conceived under Dan Riccio and later championed by Cook and Ternus.
Apple is set to debut its first foldable iPhone, rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, during a major product event on Wednesday in Cupertino, California.1
Starting at $2,000, this device represents a significant shift in Apple's product design, marking the biggest change in the iPhone's nearly 20-year history.4
New CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1, will lead this launch, which is seen as a pivotal moment for the company.2
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch interior display and a 5.5-inch exterior screen, designed for portability and ease of use.
“Trust me, despite the high price, the foldable iPhone will be wildly successful,” said Nabila Popal, a senior smartphone market researcher at IDC.
The device could capture 31 percent of the foldable smartphone market by the end of the year, potentially rising to 40 percent by 2027, according to IDC.
The launch comes amid a supply chain crunch affecting chip availability, which has led to a 16 percent decline in smartphone shipments this year.
Ternus aims to restore Apple's reputation as an innovator with this high-stakes release, which could redefine competitive dynamics in both China and global markets.
The foldable iPhone's development has been a long-term project, initially inspired by Tim Cook's observations of competitors' devices in Asia.
As Apple prepares for this launch, the tech world watches closely to see if it can reclaim its status as a leader in smartphone innovation.
“The foldable iPhone, code-named V68, is expected to feature a 7.8-inch interior display and a 5.5-inch outer screen, with Apple targeting a price just under $2,000 to avoid the psychological barrier. IDC projects Apple could capture 31% of the foldable market by year-end, despite the segment being less than 2% of global shipments.”
