Apple stock movement: How iPhone 18, foldable phone expectations are impacting Apple shares? All eyes on Ultra 'duo'

At Wednesday's event, Apple is expected to refresh its premium iPhone Pro and Pro Max models while holding off on updates to the iPhone Air and base and budget models until spring 2027. The shift could also mark a significant change in Apple's annual product-release schedule. The changes are expected to build anticipation for the main attraction of the event: Apple's first foldable iPhone. Analysts expect the company to unveil a device at its Cupertino, California, headquarters that folds open like a passport. The device has been referred to in reports as the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Duo, although its final commercial name remains unconfirmed. Apple's late entry into the category could, however, work in its favour. Analysts expect the company to leverage advances in technology and manufacturing to address key engineering challenges, including developing an elegant yet durable hinge that can withstand repeated folding while minimising the visible crease on the display. Another key challenge will be how effectively the foldable iPhone can resist dust and water. Google's latest Pixel 10 Pro Fold, for instance, has an IP68 rating, making it dust-tight and capable of being submerged in up to one meter of water, giving it an edge over Samsung's offerings in this area. The original iPhone, launched in 2007, helped mainstream touchscreen technology years after it had been developed. Apple is now betting that its first foldable iPhone can similarly take the format mainstream after years of efforts by Samsung and Chinese rivals such as Huawei. The foldable iPhone, expected to be unveiled at Apple's Cupertino headquarters later on Wednesday, would represent one of the biggest changes to the flagship device, which generates around half of the company's revenue and has helped establish Apple as a global technology giant. Despite generating interest with their larger displays, foldable phones have captured only a single-digit share of the global smartphone market. The category continues to face trade-offs, including weaker cameras, shorter battery life, and the visible crease that appears at the center of the screen when the devices are unfolded. Apple, however, is known for using a second-mover strategy, learning from the shortcomings of rival products before entering emerging categories. Analysts expect the company to benefit from advances in supply chains and technology that have made foldable devices more durable and less susceptible to visible creasing. Samsung's latest Fold 8, for example, features a design that has significantly reduced the display crease, reflecting years of investment and development in foldable technology. Ksheera Sagar has been working as a Market Research Analyst at LiveMint for the past four years, covering stocks, commodities, and broader financial markets. In this role, he closely tracks daily market movements, corporate earnings, sector trends, and macroeconomic developments.