Apple is preparing for one of its most significant iPhone launches in years, with the company set to hold its annual product event on Wednesday, September 9, at 9pm UAE time.
The event, titled “Surprise and shine”, is expected to introduce the first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. It will also mark the first major iPhone launch under John Ternus, who became Apple’s chief executive on September 1 after Tim Cook’s 15-year tenure.
Apple’s invitation has fueled speculation about a foldable device. The graphic features a thin line running through the company’s logo, prompting observers to link the design with the long-running reports of Apple entering the foldable smartphone market.
The device is widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra rather than iPhone Fold. Reports suggest it will have a compact, passport-style design with an outer display measuring between 5.3 and 5.5 inches and an inner screen of about 7.6 to 7.8 inches.
The foldable could feature two 48-megapixel rear cameras, covering wide and ultra-wide functions, without a dedicated telephoto camera. Face ID is also reportedly absent because the TrueDepth system may require more internal depth than the folding design allows. Touch ID could return through the power button.
One of the biggest challenges for Apple is expected to be the display crease. Reports claim the company has been seeking an extremely shallow crease, with leaked figures suggesting a depth below 0.15mm. The focus reflects Apple’s reputation for refining technologies that have already appeared on competing devices.
Pricing could make the iPhone Ultra Apple’s most expensive smartphone. Estimates place its starting price between $2,000 and $2,300, equivalent to roughly Dh8,500 to Dh9,800 based on Apple’s typical UAE pricing.
The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to receive upgrades including an A20 Pro chip manufactured using a 2nm process. Apple may also reduce the size of the Dynamic Island by moving some Face ID components beneath the display.
Camera improvements could include a variable aperture on the 48-megapixel main camera, potentially limited to the Pro Max, while the front camera may increase from 18 megapixels to 24 megapixels.
Apple is also expected to announce the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5.
The standard iPhone 18 is reportedly being delayed until early 2027 as Apple changes its traditional launch schedule. In the UAE, pre-orders for the Pro models are expected to begin on September 12, with retail availability from September 18.
However, the foldable iPhone Ultra may face limited initial availability because production volumes are expected to be significantly lower than those of the Pro models.
