Apple's New CEO John Ternus to Unveil Foldable iPhone, New Products

Science9 sourcesSep 6, 2026

6 placedFactual rigor 52/100

The Story

John Ternus will debut as Apple’s new chief executive at the company's annual iPhone event on September 9, marking the first time in over a decade that Tim Cook will not introduce the latest products.

Ternus takes over as Apple faces pressure to evolve its products for the AI era, following the company's achievement of a $5 trillion market capitalization in July. Apple is expected to unveil its first-ever foldable iPhone, potentially named iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold, representing the iPhone's third major redesign. Other expected unveilings on September 9 include new AirPods and new Pro models.

The upcoming iPhone 18 lineup, expected in September 2026, could reflect "AI inflation," with some models potentially costing at least $100 more than last year's devices. Analysts estimate iPhone 18 family prices could rise by 10 to 20 percent due to a global memory chip shortage. Jeff Pu, an analyst at GF Securities, predicts iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models could cost $200 to $300 more.

The memory chip shortage is linked to surging demand for AI infrastructure, as companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta invest hundreds of billions in AI data centers. Apple also plans to launch a revamped version of Siri this fall, which was delayed last year. The new Siri will leverage user data, such as text messages and photos, to provide personalized answers.

IOS 27, landing later this month, will include an iPhone Handoff feature allowing users to switch between two phones using the same number, a feature seen as making sense with the expected launch of the foldable iPhone Ultra.

What they agree on

Apple's annual iPhone event will take place on September 9.
John Ternus will debut as Apple's new chief executive at this event.
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone, potentially called iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold.
The upcoming iPhone 18 lineup is anticipated to see price increases due to "AI inflation" and a global memory chip shortage.

Where they split

Egypt Independent and Fast Company emphasize John Ternus's debut as CEO and the challenges he faces, including regulatory obstacles and a memory shortage.
Newsweek focuses on the potential for "AI inflation" to drive up iPhone 18 prices, citing analyst estimates of $100 to $300 increases.
Zee Business and Khaleej Times list specific products Apple could unveil, such as new AirPods and new Pro models, in addition to the foldable iPhone.
The Verge details the new iPhone Handoff feature in iOS 27, which allows switching between two phones with the same number, linking it to the foldable iPhone launch.
The Citizen's article discusses Apple taking a Johannesburg company to court over fake iPhones, which is a separate legal issue not related to the product launch event.