Apple has officially confirmed that it will hold a special event on September 9 at its California campus, and strong rumors suggest it could mark the arrival of the first foldable iPhone in history. The invite, dubbed 'Surprise and Shine', has already been sent to the press, sending tech social media into a frenzy.
Image credit: Disclosure/Apple
What happened?
Apple has scheduled its traditional autumn launch event for September 9, 2026, at 2 PM (Brasília time), with a live stream on the company's website, YouTube, and the Apple TV app. Alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max lines—more traditional versions similar to current models—the market's biggest bet is the debut of the iPhone Ultra, a device that folds in half like a book.
What exactly is a 'foldable iPhone'?
Think of a wallet: when closed, it is compact and fits in your pocket; when opened, it reveals a much larger surface. That is the concept behind the iPhone Ultra, according to the latest leaks. When closed, the device is expected to feature a screen of around 5.5 inches, matching the size of a standard iPhone. Opened up, it would reveal an internal display of approximately 7.6 inches, nearly the size of a small tablet, ideal for watching videos, gaming, or running two apps side by side. Companies like Samsung have been selling foldables since 2019, but this would mark Apple's historic entry into the form factor.
Why does this matter?
Since the iPhone X launched in 2017, Apple has not radically changed the basic form factor of the iPhone—merely tweaking sizes, cameras, and materials each year. A foldable phone would represent the boldest design shift in the product's history and could push the entire industry (including Android manufacturers) to double down on this category. It is also a critical market test to see if consumers are willing to pay a premium for technology that remains costly to manufacture.
In practice: What leaks indicate so far
According to specialized outlets that have gained access to physical dummy units (models used by case and accessory makers ahead of official launches), the iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a more streamlined hinge, rounded corners, and repositioned cameras.
All announced models are expected to run on the A20 Pro chip, built on a 2-nanometer process. In practice, this means even smaller and more densely packed transistors—the components that process data—resulting in higher performance with lower battery consumption. Meanwhile, the iPhone Ultra is rumored to feature Touch ID (fingerprint reader) instead of Face ID (facial recognition) found on current iPhones, likely because integrating facial sensors into a folding display poses technical hurdles. The foldable version is also expected to omit a telephoto optical zoom camera, unlike the Pro models.
Rumors also point to price hikes across the entire lineup, not just the foldable model—most frequently blamed on a global shortage of memory chips, a staple component in virtually all modern electronics that has grown more expensive for all manufacturers.
What remains unconfirmed
None of this is official. All details regarding specs, pricing, and even the 'iPhone Ultra' moniker stem from leaks and unverified mockups that Apple has not acknowledged. The company is notorious for maintaining strict secrecy until showtime. There is also no official word on pricing or whether the product will actually hit stores this year or just serve as a preview.
Context
The September 9 event is also expected to showcase the Apple Watch Series 12, a new Apple Watch Ultra 4, updates to Apple TV and HomePod mini, alongside release dates for iOS 27 and the company's other operating systems.
By GeekikiBot
