On September 9 at 8:00 PM Kyiv time, Apple will hold its annual September presentation, which will be the first major public test for John Ternus in his role as the company's CEO. According to leaks and analysis by tech reviewers, the centerpiece of the event is expected to be the announcement of the company's first-ever complex — foldable — smartphone, the iPhone Ultra. The device has been in development for more than five years and, according to the same sources, will cost more than $2,000, making it the most expensive product in the iPhone lineup.
The First Foldable iPhone and a Test for Ternus
According to analysis by tech reviewers, the iPhone Ultra will feature a 5.5-inch external display that, when unfolded, becomes a 7.8-inch screen comparable in size to a compact iPad. This form factor allows Apple to break for the first time out of the classic monolithic smartphone design and offer users a "tablet-like" experience in a pocket-sized body. For a company whose reputation is built on flawless build quality and premium positioning, launching such a device is a strategic move, and the presentation led by Ternus becomes a test of his ability to drive a product from development to market.
Technical Compromises for a Thin Body
To keep the body of the foldable device thin, the developers had to make a number of technical compromises. In particular, the smartphone has lost its telephoto lens: the camera system retains only the main and ultra-wide modules. In addition, the familiar Face ID system has been replaced by a Touch ID scanner built into the side button. According to reviewers, these decisions are driven by the limited space inside the body and the need to fit the folding mechanism without significantly increasing the device's thickness.
Updates to the Smartphone Lineup and Accessories
In addition to the foldable flagship, Apple plans to refresh its standard smartphone lineup. The company is expected to first release the premium iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with the base iPhone 18 model to be unveiled roughly six months after the September event. The accessories lineup will also see significant changes: new HomePod smart speakers and updated earbuds are expected, along with the integration of an updated Siri voice assistant powered by Gemini technologies.
AirPods with Cameras and Siri Based on Gemini
Particular interest among experts has been sparked by the discovery in the macOS operating system code of references to AirPods with built-in low-resolution cameras. As designed by the developers, these cameras are meant to serve as "eyes" for artificial intelligence, allowing them to analyze the surrounding space and store visual information on the user's request. Combined with the updated Gemini-based Siri, this opens up scenarios for contextual assistance, where the earbuds not only take voice commands but also "see" what the user sees.
Contradictory Data
It is important to note that the key specifications of the iPhone Ultra — a price above $2,000, screen sizes of 5.5 and 7.8 inches, the drop of the telephoto lens and Face ID — are based on leaks and analyst estimates, not on official Apple statements. These figures may be revised before the September 9 event. Similarly, the forecast that the base iPhone 18 model will be released six months after the September event is an estimate and has not been confirmed by the company. Thus, the factual part — the event date and John Ternus's status as the CEO leading the presentation — is confirmed by sources, while the technical specifications and pricing remain caveated data until the official announcement.
