Full Leaks for Apple's Keynote: Foldable iPhone and New CEO Debut, Plus One More Thing
Apple's most significant product launch event of the year is finally scheduled.
At 1:00 a.m. Beijing Time on September 10, Apple will hold its fall product launch event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park. Apple has already sent out invitations to the media and confirmed that the event will be live-streamed on its official website and other channels.
Over the past few years, Apple's product lineup for its fall events has been quite stable, but this year is likely to see the biggest adjustment in recent memory.
According to current information, Apple will not update the entire numerical iPhone series all at once as it has in the past. Instead, it will split the launch cadence into two rounds—
The protagonists in September will only be the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone that has been rumored for nearly a decade; the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will be left for spring 2027.
On the other hand, this will also likely be the first real product test for Apple's new CEO, John Ternus, since taking office.
In other words, at 1:00 a.m. on September 10, we are waiting for more than just a new iPhone.
Apple will simultaneously update the iPhone's form factor and usher in the era of a new leader.
Foldable iPhone: Apple's 'Wide Foldable' is Finally Arriving
If only one product had to be chosen as the most worth-watching at this year's event, the answer is undisputed.
The foldable iPhone.
From the supply chain and system code to the gradual exposure of Apple's internal product roadmap, over the past year, this device has finally transitioned from a vague rumor to a relatively clear product outline. ifanr has previously compiled multiple rounds of analysis based on various clues from The Information, Ming-Chi Kuo, and iOS 27.
Image | MacRumors
The current consensus is that Apple has not opted for a vertical small foldable like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, but rather a large foldable device that unfolds left and right. Its outer screen is about 5.3 to 5.5 inches, and the inner screen after unfolding is about 7.8 inches.
The screen aspect ratio might be the easiest place to spot the difference—unlike most current 'large foldable' phones that are nearly square when unfolded, Apple has chosen a 'wider' inner screen, more akin to the currently popular 'wide foldable' trend. Information previously obtained by ifanr shows that this product, internally codenamed V68, looks a lot like a horizontal iPad when unfolded.
This choice aligns perfectly with Apple's consistent product philosophy.
Over the past few years, smartphone manufacturers have been trying to answer one question: how to fit a large screen into a pocket?
Apple, however, might be answering a different question: how to fit an iPad inside an iPhone?
These two questions seem similar, but they actually dictate completely different product logics.
In fact, Apple has already paved the way for this form factor at the software level.
In iOS 27, system apps like Weather and Music have noticeably added layouts for landscape mode and different screen sizes; furthermore, leaks suggest that the newly equipped system will automatically switch to an iPad-like app layout, offering interactions optimized for landscape viewing, multi-column displays, and large screens.
On the hardware side, current leaks are also quite comprehensive.
The foldable iPhone is highly likely to feature an A20 series chip and 12GB of RAM.
To control the body thickness, Apple may temporarily abandon Face ID in favor of side-mounted Touch ID.
The rear camera is expected to adopt a dual-camera setup. The unfolded thickness will be about 4.5 to 4.8mm, and the folded thickness will be about 9mm. The hinge will use materials like titanium and stainless steel, paired with ultra-thin glass (UTG) to minimize the crease as much as possible.
Image | Apple
However, it could also become the most expensive iPhone in history.
The market widely expects its price to exceed $2,000, with some predictions even suggesting $2,500. That is roughly the cost of an iPhone plus an iPad Pro.
Apple is entering the foldable screen market nearly seven years later than its competitors. Relying solely on an iPhone that can fold will make it hard to justify a high price. The crease in the middle of the screen, hinge lifespan, body thickness, along with software adaptation, are all areas where it needs to provide answers.
This is highly unlikely to be an iPhone meant to drive sales volumes.
It is more like the original Apple Watch or the Vision Pro; Apple needs to first anchor a new product coordinate in the market.
The model truly responsible for driving sales this year remains the iPhone 18 Pro.
Image | Internet
iPhone 18 Pro: Unchanged on the Outside, Completely Transformed on the Inside
Placed next to the foldable iPhone, the exterior changes of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max appear much more restrained.
Current information indicates that the two phones will still retain the 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch sizes, and the overall design will continue that of the previous generation.
The long-rumored under-screen Face ID is now leaning towards not debuting in this generation, according to the latest news; Apple is more likely to just further shrink the Dynamic Island.
Image | 9to5Mac
The main changes are concentrated inside the body.
First, the A20 Pro. It is expected to become Apple's first smartphone chip to utilize TSMC's 2nm process. Compared to today's 3nm A19 Pro, the focus of the upgrade is expected to remain not just on benchmark scores, but on the balance between performance, energy efficiency, and chip area.
As on-device AI models grow larger, the transistor budget of the SoC is becoming important again. The A20 Pro may also adopt a new packaging design to further improve memory access and overall efficiency.
Another chip worth paying attention to is the C2.
From C1, C1X to C2, the update speed of Apple's self-developed baseband is clear...