What Apple Will Announce This Fall

Lifehacker readers have a strong sense of what Apple plans to release later this year, based on the results of the publication’s second guessing game. The contest asked readers to predict product names, pricing, and features for upcoming hardware, with the answers expected to be revealed during Apple’s September event. Nearly a third of the participants believe the company will name its first foldable device the “iPhone Ultra,” though a majority of respondents think Apple will choose a different moniker entirely.

When asked how much the foldable phone might cost, the community of respondents leaned heavily toward the high end of the market. Almost one-quarter of voters placed the price between $1,000 and $1,499. Another 24% guessed the figure would fall between $1,500 and $1,999. The most significant chunk of the poll, however, came from the 41% of participants who believe the device will exceed $2,000. That figure aligns with the premium pricing strategy Apple typically employs for its most advanced hardware, often justifying the cost through cutting-edge technology.

Many of these predictions mirror the company’s historical approach to launching new flagship products, where price often serves as a barrier to entry that reinforces the device’s status. While some might view a $2,000 smartphone as excessive, the data suggests a large segment of the market is already prepared to pay that much for a device that folds.

Minor Upgrades for Existing Models

While the foldable phone garners the most attention, readers also weighed in on the smaller changes coming to the standard iPhone 18 Pro. Nearly 57% of respondents believe Apple will shrink the size of the Dynamic Island on the upcoming model. This design element, which replaced the traditional notch, has become a signature of the iPhone Pro lineup. A smaller version would likely reduce the amount of screen real estate occupied by the interface elements.

Another 43% of voters were skeptical about the change, suggesting that the current size is adequate. The focus on the 18 Pro seems to be on refining existing features rather than overhauling the design, a pattern that repeats across other rumored hardware updates.

Wearable Health Sensors

Lifehacker’s audience is also optimistic about health tracking capabilities in the next generation of Apple Watch. Over 82% of readers believe the next Series model will add whole-body temperature tracking. This feature would build upon the wrist temperature monitoring currently available on some models, which requires an overnight wear for accurate readings. A whole-body sensor would allow for continuous tracking, potentially simplifying health monitoring for users.

On the other hand, the idea of new AirPods with built-in cameras received a cooler reception. A majority of respondents, specifically 68%, do not think Apple will embed cameras into its earbuds. The concept would likely serve to enhance Siri’s capabilities, allowing the virtual assistant to see the user’s surroundings. While technically feasible, the feature seems to lack the consumer demand seen in other rumored updates.