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Reuters reported that Wall Street anticipates John Ternus will need to demonstrate continued hardware innovation alongside progress on a competitive Siri virtual assistant when he hosts the product event on Wednesday. The company plans to introduce an iPhone that folds open like a passport at its Cupertino headquarters. Analysts project the device could rapidly assume a leading position in the developing foldables segment even though its price exceeds $2,500 and its cameras and processors may not top rival offerings.
The technology firm previously disclosed an extensive revision to Siri that draws on Google’s artificial intelligence systems in supporting roles. This update stands as a potential early achievement for Ternus after extended development timelines. A fully effective rollout by the close of this year would position Apple to align more closely with Google’s Gemini assistant according to assessments from multiple analysts.
Investors have discounted Apple’s measured pace in generative artificial intelligence given its installed base of more than one billion devices and established customer loyalty. Ternus must now demonstrate to users that Apple hardware provides the superior vehicle for AI applications. The results may establish whether he sustains the trajectory established under former chief executive Tim Cook or shifts into a catch-up role.
Apple is also set to refresh its iPhone Pro and Pro Max models during the presentation but will postpone revisions to the iPhone Air as well as standard and budget editions until spring. The approach seeks to direct focus toward the foldable unit as the session’s primary attraction. Nabila Popal senior research director at IDC told Reuters that the foldable will sell briskly despite its cost because Apple excels at building perceptions of exclusivity luxury and scarcity.
Popal forecasts that the foldable iPhone will deliver more than $45 billion in revenue to Apple by the end of next year. Foldable devices are nonetheless expected to represent only a single-digit share of the total phone market through that period. The projection highlights how the premium segment could drive significant returns even within a limited overall category footprint.
Experts including Anshel Sag of Moor Insights and Strategy have observed that Apple has studied successes and shortcomings from competing foldable products already in circulation. Ternus who spent five years leading hardware engineering is expected to prioritize powerful devices that support on-device AI functions. Regulatory obstacles could however push approval of the updated Siri to 2028 in China while blocking its initial European availability due to ongoing disputes.
