If you were Apple’s CEO, what iPhone changes would you make?
Tim Cook’s 15-year tenure as Apple CEO has seen the announcement of
models. Now, Cook is preparing to step down and let
take over as the company’s chief executive in September.
New leadership could shake up Apple’s product lineup and priorities in the coming years. We still expect to have many of the notable iPhone features, like
, MagSafe charging and software upgrades, like the highly anticipated
. But all eyes are on what’s next for Apple under Ternus’ tenure. Hopefully, that includes changes to the iPhone.
We know the iPhone isn’t perfect. CNET readers would make a few tweaks if they were in Ternus’ shoes. We could see updates to the iPhone at Apple’s next event in September — which has historically focused on new Apple devices. So let’s play a game to pass the time before the big reveal.
contest across its websites — CNET, Lifehacker, Mashable, PCMag and ZDNET. The
We won’t know some of the answers for certain until September, but here’s what CNET readers expect.
If there’s one thing CNET readers could change about the iPhone, it’s the price — 16% want a lower sticker price. Currently, the
, the budget-friendly model, costs half as much — $599.
The hope for better pricing is wishful thinking, since
, are increasing tech prices due to a RAM shortage and rising demand for memory chips used in most personal devices. You may be able to save money by buying a
, but demand for gently used smartphones is also increasing as new phones get more expensive. So you can expect higher prices for the foreseeable future.
The other most requested change to the iPhone? A bigger battery, or faster charging. Even though
, 14% of readers who entered our contest want more juice in their iPhones.
Nearly 80% expect Apple to announce its first foldable phone
Many leaked rumors and reports suggest it could be as soon as September.
There’s plenty of speculation around the design, price and name. Apple could name it the iPhone Fold, iPhone Ultra or iPhone Flip. It might fold like a book, resembling other foldable phones like the
. There’s also the rumor of a clamshell-style design like the
One other big question is how much the phone will cost, given the global
and Apple’s recent price hikes. Some rumors say the phone could start at $2,000 and go up to $2,500.
We don’t know whether Apple will unveil a foldable phone on Sept. 9 this year, but in the past, it has announced new phones at its September event. For example, the iPhone 17 models and iPhone Air were announced on Sept. 9, 2025, at Apple’s “Awe Dropping” keynote. And the iPhone 16 models were released on Sept. 9, 2024, at the “It’s Glowtime” keynote.
Most readers don’t think we’ll see new AirPods with cameras
sound like cutting-edge technology. Experts say the cameras would be more like AI sensors to guide Siri, not for taking high-quality photos and videos.
features and a standalone app. So it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple wants those devices to work in tandem.
However, most readers (77%) don’t think Apple will unveil the new earbuds this year. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman expects
to be a part of Apple’s 2027 product plan. That’s the same time we could see a 20th anniversary iPhone and the second generation of Apple’s rumored foldable phone.
were released in September 2024. We may see new AirPods, but it’s unlikely Apple will announce a camera-equipped version this year.
Over 70% think the iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max will come in black
and found out it wasn’t available in black, but most readers (72%) think the color will be making a comeback with the
There are plenty of rumors about which colors the Pro model will come in — like light blue, dark cherry and dark gray. However, there aren’t any rumors of black yet.
We haven’t seen black in the Pro and Pro Max models since the
came in space black. And earlier versions came in different black variants, such as the
Readers are nearly split on Apple releasing smart glasses
Just over half (51%) of readers think Apple will announce its first pair of
However, experts aren’t expecting Apple’s smart glasses this year. Gurman says
, because Apple has experienced “bumps” during development.
Gurman also says that outgoing CEO Tim Cook is a big fan of the smart glasses project and that it’s a major part of Apple’s product roadmap. The smart glasses are rumored to be led by Ternus.
Come back to CNET on Aug. 18 for round 3 of the Big Guessing Game, where we will be asking questions and making predictions about the expected big Apple event this fall.
Dashia is the consumer insights editor for CNET. She specializes in data-driven analysis and news at the intersection of tech, personal finance and consumer sentiment. Dashia investigates economic shifts and everyday challenges to help readers make well-informed decisions, and she covers a range of topics, including technology, security, energy and money. Dashia graduated from the University of Sou