Apple Eyes Foldable iPhone, but Smart Glasses Outlook Adds Uncertainty

Each September, Apple’s launch of new products—from the latest iPhones to AirPods and Apple Watch—sparks widespread anticipation. We’re primed for what the tech giant will unveil this year.

Apple rarely adheres to a set schedule; the marketplace often learns only at the keynote. Until then, we rely on design leaks, industry projections and a retrospective look at Apple’s product trajectory to speculate where the company might head next. In the meantime, we’re taking a lighthearted detour with a guessing game to keep us engaged.

The CNET Group is hosting a Big Guessing Game contest across several of its sites—CNET, Lifehacker, Mashable, PCMag and ZDNet. The first round probed Apple’s software ecosystem, while the second focused on the hardware lineup.

Nearly 80% of Readers Anticipate a Foldable iPhone Release

Seventy‑seven percent of our readers believe Apple will debut its first foldable phone this year. Many leaks hint at a September launch.

Speculation covers a range of possibilities: the device might be called the iPhone Fold, iPhone Ultra, or iPhone Flip; its hinge could allow a book‑like fold or mimic clamshell models such as the Motorola Razr or Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8.

Pricing expectations vary, with authors citing a starting price between $2,000 and $2,500, a figure that reflects current supply‑chain constraints and Apple’s recent price increases.

Whether Apple announces the foldable iPhone on September 9—traditionally the date for its flagship releases—remains uncertain, but the pattern of past keynotes suggests a September debut is plausible.

Most Readers Do Not Expect Camera‑Equipped AirPods This Year

While camera‑equipped AirPods represent an intriguing concept, leading experts suggest the integrated cameras would mainly serve AI functions tied to Siri, rather than delivering full‑frame photography or videography. Apple’s imminent upgrade to Siri, which will incorporate agentic AI features and a dedicated app, could drive synergy between earbuds and the virtual assistant.

Nonetheless, approximately seventy‑seven percent of our readers believe a camera‑enabled AirPods model will surface in 2027, coinciding with a potential iPhone 20 anniversary and a second‑generation foldable phone launch.

More Than 70% Anticipate a Black iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max Variant

After the recent absence of a black version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, seventy‑two percent of readers predict the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will return to a black color option. While rumors point to light blue, dark cherry and dark gray, no clear black variant has surfaced yet.

Readers Remain Split on Apple’s Smart Glasses Debut

Just over half of respondents (51%) expect Apple to introduce its first pair of smart glasses in September, leaving the remainder equally skeptical.

Industry commentator Mark Gurman advises that a smart‑glasses launch is unlikely until late 2027, citing Apple’s developmental setbacks. He also notes that outgoing CEO Tim Cook continues to champion the project, and that incoming CEO John Ternus is believed to be steering the initiative.

Readers Seek circulated Price Point for the iPhone

Sixteen percent of CNET readers wish for a lower iPhone price, with the current iPhone 17 Pro Max pricing at $1,199 and the budget‑friendly iPhone 17E at $599. Despite Apple’s recent price hikes across its line, many consumers contend that market forces—such as RAM shortages and escalating memory chip demand—will sustain premium pricing.

The second most requested improvement is a larger battery or accelerated charging. Fourteen percent of respondents expressed a desire for increased battery capacity.

We’ll return on August 18 with the third round of the Big Guessing Game, where new questions and predictions will outline expectations for the upcoming Apple event.

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