Apple chief executive John Ternus will host the company's annual autumn keynote on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. French time, amid widespread speculation that the tech giant may reveal its first foldable smartphone.
The event marks the first public presentation by Ternus since he officially assumed the position of chief executive officer on September 1, 2026. Ternus, aged 51, succeeded Tim Cook in the chief executive role after previously leading Apple's hardware product design division.
During his time overseeing product engineering, Ternus played a central role in developing core Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac computers, and the Apple Vision headset. His presentation on September 9 comes during the 50th anniversary year of Apple, which was founded in 1976.
Ternus takes center stage in a role previously defined by Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. The presentation serves as an early test of his ability to inspire public excitement following years of incremental hardware updates. Although Apple recently introduced high performance processors and the MacBook Neo, industry observers note that consumer enthusiasm for new tech releases has softened across the broader smartphone market.
Apple teased the presentation with an official invitation promising a new day soon. Speculation across the technology sector suggests the company could announce its long rumored foldable device, which commentators refer to as the iPhone Ultra, iPhone Duo, or iPhone Fold.
Leaked Hardware and Technical Specifications
Images reportedly originating from accessory manufacturer ESR show potential designs for the new smartphone. Rumored specifications indicate the device will feature a passport style folding format comparable to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. Samsung introduced its first commercial foldable smartphones eight years ago and remains a primary competitor in the mobile market.
Reports indicate the prospective iPhone model includes a 5.5-inch external cover screen and a 7.8-inch flexible internal display. When unfolded, the device measures 4.5 millimeters in thickness. By comparison, Chinese manufacturer Huawei unveiled its Mate XT 2 triple screen smartphone in China on September 7, which measures 3.5 millimeters when open.
To achieve a compact design while preserving commercial profit margins, Apple may make technical concessions on the foldable phone. Reports suggest the company could swap its traditional Face ID facial recognition system for a side mounted Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The device may also omit a dedicated telephoto camera, featuring a dual camera configuration instead.
Under the hood, the potential iPhone Ultra is expected to run on Apple's new A20 Pro processor. Industry reports indicate the premium device could carry a retail price ranging between 2,000 euros and 2,500 euros.
Market Growth and Distribution Expectations
Supply chain constraints may limit the initial availability of the new foldable handset. Reports suggest Apple might restrict the initial commercial launch to Asian markets, where consumer demand for foldable devices is strong, alongside the United States, before expanding distribution to other regions.
Should Apple delay a global launch for the foldable phone, attention at the keynote will center on the standard flagship updates. Apple is also expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max during the September 9 presentation.
An entry by Apple into the foldable category could significantly alter global market dynamics. According to market research firm International Data Corporation, foldable devices currently account for 1.6 percent of the worldwide smartphone market. However, International Data Corporation forecasts that Apple's entry into the segment could trigger a 30 percent market growth rate in 2026.
