Apple is set to conclude its grand 50th-anniversary global celebrations this week, returning to its Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California, with rumors suggesting a performance by a legendary "British Invasion" star. In addition to reflecting on its past half-century of success, Apple is also actively preparing for a hardware revolution in the next decade.
According to Bloomberg News reporter Mark GurmanNewsHighly anticipatedThe first "foldable iPhone"It will be the "most significant overhaul" in the history of Apple smartphones, and is expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, but the price may exceed $1999.
Apple Park 50th Anniversary Party: Will Paul McCartney make a surprise appearance?
Over the past few weeks, Apple has held events in New York, China, South Korea, France, the UK, and Australia.A series of 50th anniversary celebrationsThis week, the global tour returns to Apple Park for its final grand finale.
• Event Time:Although Apple has not yet announced the specific time, the Apple Park visitor center's operating schedule shows that it will close unusually early at 3 p.m. on March 31 (normally at 7 p.m.), which is very likely the exact date of the party.
• Mystery guest performer:Mark Gurman revealed that Apple headquarters staff have been notified that the closing act will be a "representative figure of the British Invasion era who is still active on stage today," and a singer that "Steve Jobs would go crazy for if he were alive."
• The Beatles' obsession with apples:Based on the above clues, the outside world unanimously points the finger at former members of The Beatles.Paul McCartneyAs is widely known, Steve Jobs was a huge fan of The Beatles. After years of trademark litigation, Apple and Apple Corps, the company behind The Beatles, finally broke the ice in 2010, allowing the entire Beatles album series to be officially listed on iTunes, marking a significant milestone in Apple Music's history. Therefore, inviting Paul McCartney to headline the show was of great significance.
The foldable iPhone is on the horizon: a revolution even bigger than the iPhone X.
While celebrating history, Mark Gurman also revealed details about the first foldable iPhone in his Power On column, stating that the product will be "the most significant transformation in iPhone history," even surpassing the iPhone 4, iPhone 6, and the groundbreaking iPhone X.
Based on current information from the industry chain and analysts, the outline of this new device is gradually becoming clear:
• Book-style folding design:Similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and other models already on the market, the foldable iPhone will adopt a book-like design that unfolds horizontally. The inner screen is estimated to be 7.7 inches, while the outer screen will be 5.3 inches.
• Imperfect creases:Although initial rumors suggested that Apple was working on creating a "crease-free" perfect screen, the latest news indicates that, limited by current physical limitations, the technology Apple is using can only "significantly reduce creases" and cannot completely eliminate them.
• Hardware compromise (abandoning Face ID):Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo points out that the first foldable iPhone will feature two rear cameras and one front camera. Most surprisingly, it may forgo Face ID, integrating Touch ID into the power button instead, presumably as a compromise to reduce the thickness of the flexible screen or avoid compromising the integrity of the inner screen.
• iOS 27 Deep Optimization:To unlock the potential of the 7.7-inch screen, the upcoming iOS 27 will be fully optimized for foldable interfaces, supporting side-by-side multitasking similar to iPad and more flexible app layouts.
• IPO timeline and record-breaking price:Apple is expected to unveil this foldable phone in September this year, along with the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, but the actual shipping date may be slightly delayed. Its starting price in the US market is estimated to be as high as $1999 (approximately NT$64000 or more).
Analysis of viewpoints
Choosing to launch the "foldable iPhone," which completely changes the product form, in the historically significant year of the brand's 50th anniversary is clearly a strategic move carefully calculated by Apple.
In terms of specifications, Apple is clearly a "latecomer" in the foldable phone market. While its competitor Samsung has already updated to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Apple's first product even had to compromise on hardware (such as reverting to Touch ID and still having a slight crease).
But Apple's greatest advantage has never been "being the first to release hardware," but rather "the perfect integration of hardware, software, and ecosystem." Through the highly customized iOS 27 and the potential launch of an AI-powered marketplace, Apple intends to make this foldable device the "ultimate productivity tool" between the iPhone and the iPad.
However, the high price of $1999 is not only testing the limits of faith among top-tier consumers, but also establishing the product's market positioning as a "premium item." This September, we will not only witness the beginning of Apple's next decade, but also test whether Apple CEO Tim Cook can once again work the Apple magic of "redefining the market."
