Apple to Drop 'Most Significant Overhaul' of iPhone
The New Daily
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Details
- Date Published
- 21 Apr 2026
- Priority Score
- 1
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 22 Apr 2026, 10:00 am
Description
Tech giant Apple has set the internet rumour mill alight with what has been dubbed "the most significant overhaul in the iPhone's history".
Summary
The article details a major leadership transition at Apple, with John Ternus succeeding Tim Cook as CEO to steer the company through a landscape rapidly shifting toward artificial intelligence and novel hardware formats. While predominantly focused on consumer hardware like the rumored 'iFold', it notes that Apple is seeking to regain its market position following the rise of Nvidia, highlighting the competitive pressure to integrate AI capabilities at the hardware level. The transition reflects broader industry trends where frontier AI integration is becoming the central pillar of consumer technology and global corporate value. However, the piece lacks focus on the safety protocols or catastrophic risk mitigation strategies associated with these emerging AI implementations.
Body
AdvertisementTechApple to drop ‘most significant overhaul’ of iPhoneThe New DailyApr 21, 2026, updated Apr 22, 2026 ShareSource: Trevor Long
Tech giant Apple has set the internet alight with what has been dubbed “the most significant overhaul in the iPhone’s history”.As the company confirmed it was heading in a new direction, announcing the departure of long-time chief executive Tim Cook on Tuesday (Australian time), fans and critics alike were abuzz with the idea it is about to finally catch up with its rivals and launch a foldable iPhone.Speculation is rampant online that Apple’s latest innovation will be called the iFold (hello Samsung, Apple’s keenest rival in smartphones, which has sold a Fold since 2019). It will be wider than it is tall and reportedly open up like a book, giving users a large inner screen for watching videos, playing games, and multitasking.It’s expected to drop in September, along with an iPhone 18.Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman described the foldable Apple tech as “the most significant overhaul in the iPhone’s history”.“iPhone 4, iPhone 6 and iPhone X were clearly a big deal, but this is a whole new design,” he said in a newsletter in March.This week, the rumour mill went into overdrive when “independent Apple leaker” Manjin Bu dropped what they said were the first pictures of cases for the new device. Bu’s images show that the iFold’s screen will be almost square – something of a revolution for foldable phones.Apple’s iOS 27 is expected to be optimised for the foldable iPhone, allowing for apps to be open side-by-side and for other iPad-like multitasking functionality.Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expected the foldable iPhone to have two rear cameras, a front camera, and Touch ID instead of Face ID. Further fuelling the chatter this week, Nine technology expert Trevor Long said he’d been sent “dummy” mock-ups of the next iPhones.These have been produced by factories in China using leaked specifications from Apple’s supply chain. Third-party case manufacturers use the dummies to build accessories for new phones ahead of their release.Long said the dummies appeared to show the “ultra-thin” foldable iPhone had “a design more akin to a passport … rather than a traditional smartphone that opens like a book”.“This design allows the ‘opened’ format to be an aspect ratio more useful for watching video content, as well as operating apps side-by-side,” he said.“A dual-camera system appears on the back, a step up from what was launched on the iPhone Air last year, and there also appear to be speakers top and bottom.”Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook (right) with his replacement, John Ternus. Photo: AppleChange at the very topMore change is also tipped for the tech giant with the unexpected departure of Cook.The tech giant said on Monday (US time) that Cook, who has led Apple since 2011, will become the company’s executive chairman.He will be replaced as CEO by Apple’s long-time hardware chief, John Ternus, as the company gears up for industry change spurred by artificial intelligence.Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and has recently overseen its hardware engineering efforts. He played a key role in reigniting sales of products such as Apple’s Mac computers, which have gained market share in recent years.At 50, Ternus is the same age as Cook when he took over as CEO from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. He most recently showed the company’s iPhone Air last year, the biggest revamp of the iPhone since 2017 and a key proving ground for several new chips.Ternus helped bring about now-ubiquitous products such as iPads and AirPods, and will have to help Apple navigate a technology landscape upended by AI, after losing its crown as the world’s most valuable company to Nvidia.“The promotion of Mr Ternus indicates the company will focus on new hardware devices such as folding phones, glasses, VR devices and AI pins,” said Gil Luria, managing director of DA Davidson & Co.Apple said Cook, who presented a custom golden plaque to US President Donald Trump, would continue to engage with policymakers.-with AAPWant to see more stories from The New Daily in your Google search results?Click here to set The New Daily as a preferred source.Tick the box next to "The New Daily". That's it.Topics: Apple, Technology Share Follow The New DailyAdvertisementMore Tech >TechApple to drop ‘significant overhaul’ of iPhoneTechApple to switch focus as Tim Cook quits as bossTechRobot sprints to world record in Beijing raceTechMeta unveils new AI model from costly teamBooksAuthor Kathy Lette on the AI book scandalTechArtemis and the new China-US space raceMusicAI artist tops global music charts with multiple hitsTechMelania Trump steps out with humanoid robotMoviesLate star Val Kilmer to appear via AI in film