New Apple CEO Ternus faces first major test with expected foldable iPhone launch
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 9 — Apple is expected to unveil a slew of new and updated devices, including a long-rumoured f...
Apple is set to unveil a range of new and updated devices, including a highly anticipated foldable iPhone, at its annual hardware event in Cupertino, California, today. This marks the first significant event under new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1. Ternus, who joined Apple’s design team in 2001, is expected to make a major impact with the launch.
The event, promised to be "phenomenal" by Ternus, is slated to begin at 10am local time (1700 GMT/1am Malaysian time). Apple is anticipated to reveal a long-awaited foldable iPhone, codenamed the iPhone Ultra, which is expected to start at US$2,000 (RM8,118). The device will feature a compact external display that folds into a smaller size when the phone is closed, revealing a larger screen upon unfolding.
This foldable device represents a critical test for Apple, which has yet to launch a standout product since the AirPods a decade ago. Samsung, the leading player in foldable smartphones, introduced its first mainstream foldable, the Galaxy Fold, in 2019, followed by the Galaxy Z Fold in 2020. Samsung's foldable smartphones currently hold less than 2% of the global market, but analysts predict that Apple could capture up to 31% of this market by year-end and 40% by 2027.
The foldable iPhone launch coincides with a global supply chain crunch caused by soaring demand for high-performance chips in the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. This has resulted in a 16% drop in smartphone shipments this year, alongside a 27% surge in prices. While foldable phones are not entirely immune to these supply chain issues, their impact is reportedly less severe due to their premium pricing.
Notably, the foldable Ultra is expected to be passport-sized when closed and will feature only two camera lenses – regular and ultra-wide. Apple may also introduce a more affordable version of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max series, though an entry-level model may not arrive until next year. The new foldable iPhone is expected to integrate an improved version of Siri, powered by AI, into various new devices, potentially including watches, AirPods, an Apple TV box, and the HomePod mini.
Bloomberg also suggests a possibility of a 7-inch device serving as a smart home hub, though its unveiling remains uncertain.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
