Lifehacker Ends 3-Round Apple Watch Contest After Sept. 1 Deadline

Q: With Apple's keynote days away, will the highly anticipated $2,000 foldable iPhone Ultra finally make its debut?

Probably yes, but it is still unconfirmed until Apple takes the stage on Sept. 9. The strongest reporting and rumor consensus points to Apple unveiling its first foldable iPhone at next week’s “Surprise and Shine” keynote alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line. Multiple outlets and analysts describe the device as likely carrying the “iPhone Ultra” name, with a book-style fold, a roughly 5.3- to 5.5-inch outer screen, a 7.7- to 7.8-inch inner display, Touch ID in the power button, and a starting price above $2,000. There is also circumstantial evidence that Apple is preparing software support for a foldable. Reports tied to the iOS 27 beta cite internal references such as “foldState” and “angleDegrees,” suggesting Apple has been building operating-system features for a folding device. Broader coverage also says Apple’s Sept. 9 event is expected to focus on the iPhone 18 Pro family and the long-rumored foldable. What remains uncertain is availability. Even bullish reports say Apple could announce the iPhone Ultra next week but ship it later, possibly with very limited supply at launch. That would mirror past Apple rollouts where a product debuted on stage before reaching stores weeks or months later. So the most evidence-backed answer is that a debut looks likely, but buyers should be prepared for two caveats: Apple has not officially confirmed the product, and even if it is announced, immediate availability is far from guaranteed.

3 articles · Updated · Lifehacker · Sep 2

Sept. 1 marked the close of Lifehacker’s final Big Guessing Game round, ending the 2026 prediction contest tied to Apple’s upcoming fall event.
Round 3 opened Aug. 18 with five questions centered on expected fall announcements, including the iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone Ultra; winners will be chosen after Apple confirms the answers.
Three rounds ran from May 19 through Sept. 1 across software, hardware and fall-event themes, with each correct prediction earning one entry into a grand-prize drawing for the latest Apple Watch.
Five CNET Group sites — Lifehacker, CNET, ZDNet, Mashable and PCMag — hosted separate games, creating 75 total possible guesses, though entrants can win only once.
The giveaway was open to U.S. residents in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., age 18 or older, with site winners due shortly after Apple’s fall event.