Apple's press conference preview: iPhone price increase, foldable screen finale, new CEO welcomes debut exam According to BlockBeats, on September 9th, Apple will hold its annual product launch event at 1am Beijing time on September 10th. The first foldable iPhone will be the biggest highlight, along with the iPhone 18 Pro series, new Apple Watch, and AirPods. This press conference is also the first major new product launch hosted by the new CEO John Ternus since taking over from Tim Cook on September 1st. Apple's first foldable iPhone, temporarily known as the "iPhone Duo," has a starting price of approximately $2000. The 256GB version is the entry-level configuration, while the high storage version can be priced as high as or close to $3000. The device adopts a horizontal folding design, which is more suitable for watching videos when unfolded, and supports functions similar to iPad such as split screen and multitasking. In terms of hardware, it is expected to be equipped with the A20 Pro chip and Apple's self-developed C2 baseband, with dual 48 megapixel rear cameras and 12 megapixel video conferencing cameras, as well as support for Apple Pencil and magnetic hinges. The product is expected to be launched as early as October. Bloomberg reported that foldable phones have been limited by high prices, battery life, cameras, and screen creases in the past, but advances in supply chain and related technologies are improving these shortcomings. Apple hopes to explore new product categories with the foldable iPhone and create it as a high-end device that combines innovative attributes and identity symbols. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will continue the traditional straight board design, with a focus on upgrading the imaging system. It is expected to add a mechanical aperture to achieve more precise depth control and better low light performance. At the same time, they will be equipped with the A20 Pro chip, upgraded heat dissipation, and extended battery life. Dynamic Island will also further shrink. Due to the shortage of storage chips, the prices of iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to increase by $100 each. Apple has previously raised prices for products such as Mac and iPad, and the recent increase in iPhone prices means that storage cost pressure is further transmitted to consumers. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are expected to introduce new color schemes and appearance adjustments, as well as enhance health and fitness features, add the Readiness app, and further analyze data such as heart rate and blood oxygen. The AirPods 5 will upgrade their noise reduction capabilities, while the originally planned high-end AI AirPods equipped with camera sensors will be postponed until next year. For Ternus, this press conference is not only a new product launch, but also his first major public appearance since taking charge of Apple. Against the backdrop of Apple's revenue approaching $500 billion and a cumulative stock price increase of approximately 2300% during Tim Cook's tenure, whether Ternus can prove Apple's innovative ability to launch new product categories through the folding iPhone will become a focus of market attention. [Original link]