Apple WWDC 2026 kicks off on Monday, June 8, and if your eyes glaze over at the mention of operating system updates – fair. But this year, WWDC is basically the opening act for the most gadget-heavy Apple lineup in recent memory. The software Apple shows this week is the unlock for a wave of hardware that’s been in the pipeline for years. Here’s what to watch.
The Foldable iPhone Is Actually Happening
Yes, really. The iPhone Ultra (also called iPhone Fold depending on who’s leaking) is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup this September. Multiple factory dummy units have already leaked, and at this point the design is pretty well confirmed: a book-style foldable with a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner OLED screen, running on the new A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process.
The standout stat: reportedly 4.5mm thin when unfolded – thinner than any foldable currently on the market (Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 is 5.6mm when open). Apple also claims to have solved the crease problem with a liquid-metal hinge. Price is expected to land somewhere between $2,000 and $2,500, creating a whole new tier above the Pro Max.
At Apple WWDC 2026, the hardware itself won’t be announced on stage – but iOS 27 will almost certainly reveal the foldable-specific software features: split-screen multitasking, the iPad-style layout when open. That’s basically Apple confirming the device without saying so.
Everything we know about the iPhone Ultra – MacRumors
A Smart Home Push – If Siri Cooperates
Apple has been sitting on a smart home lineup for over a year, and the hold-up is Siri – specifically, the new LLM-based Siri that needs to actually be useful before Apple starts shipping devices that rely on it. One of the biggest questions heading into Apple WWDC 2026 is whether that Siri is finally ready.
If it is, the hardware that’s been waiting in the wings includes:
- “HomePad” hub with a 7-inch display, A18 chip, and a new homeOS – designed to run FaceTime without needing an iPhone nearby
- Updated HomePod and HomePod mini
- A new Apple smart doorbell and security camera
For anyone building out a smart home, this is actually the most interesting Apple story of the year – and it all hinges on what happens at WWDC this week. If Siri isn’t ready, these products get pushed again. If it is, expect announcements as early as this fall.
Macs Getting an OLED Upgrade (Eventually)
Apple already did a major spring Mac cycle in March – MacBook Neo, updated MacBook Pro with M5. But the pipeline isn’t empty. The Mac Studio is expected to get M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, the Mac mini is in line for a refresh, and rumors point to an OLED MacBook Pro with touchscreen support powered by a next-gen M6 chip later in the year. macOS 27, announced at Apple WWDC 2026, will give us the clearest clues yet about what those machines are built to do.
Tim Cook’s Last WWDC
One more thing worth noting: this is almost certainly the last WWDC keynote helmed by Tim Cook, who is stepping down as CEO on September 1. His successor, SVP of Hardware Engineering John Ternus, takes over right before Apple’s traditional fall iPhone event. A hardware guy running Apple right as the foldable iPhone launches – that timing isn’t a coincidence. It’s a statement.
How to Watch WWDC 2026
The keynote streams live on June 8 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. You can watch on Apple.com, YouTube, the Apple TV app, or the Apple Developer app. No sign-up required.
We’ll be watching – and as the hardware announcements roll out through the rest of 2026, we’ll have reviews of the devices that matter. The iPhone Ultra is at the top of that list.
