Apple set to unveil its first foldable iPhone this week

Apple is holding its annual iPhone launch event this week, and anticipation is higher than usual. The company is expected to finally enter the foldable phone market, more than five years after Samsung released its first foldable device. The event also comes as Tim Cook hands the CEO role to John Ternus, formerly Apple's vice president of hardware engineering.

The foldable iPhone

Reports suggest the foldable model, sometimes referred to as the "iPhone Ultra," could cost more than $2,000. It is expected to feature a 5.5-inch cover display that expands to 7.8 inches when unfolded, resembling a small iPad. When closed, the device will be shorter and wider than a typical iPhone. To keep the design pocketable, Apple is reportedly dropping the telephoto lens while keeping a dual-lens camera system with main and ultra-wide cameras. MagSafe charging is expected to be included, but Face ID will reportedly be replaced by a side-mounted Touch ID button to save space. The phone is said to support side-by-side multitasking across its unfolded display and will run iOS using the same chip expected in Apple's budget MacBook Neo. Apple has also reportedly managed to reduce the visibility of the crease that typically appears on other foldable phones' screens.

Other expected announcements

The event is expected to include the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, while the standard iPhone 18 may not arrive until roughly six months later — a first for Apple, which usually launches its standard and premium models together. With Apple's Gemini-powered Siri update moving forward, a new HomePod is also anticipated. Additionally, references found in a macOS preview build point to AirPods with built-in cameras, which reportedly would act as "eyes" for Siri, capturing low-resolution visual information rather than taking photos or video.