The third and final round of CNET’s Big Guessing Game is now closed, which completes our contest. We’ll be back after Apple’s “Surprise and shine” event on Wednesday, Sept. 9 to share the final answers and determine the winners
The CNET Group’s Big Guessing Game contest was held across CNET, Lifehacker, Mashable, PCMag and ZDNET. There were three rounds of guessing to predict what Apple will unveil this year. Each correct answer earns one chance in a drawing to win the latest Apple Watch announced in this month. Before we get into your answers in the final round, here’s a recap of the first round and second round.
Over 70% think Apple’s new and former CEOs will appear together
Most (71%) contest participants say we can expect Apple’s new CEO John Ternus and former CEO Tim Cook to appear together at the event.
As of Sept. 1, Ternus is Apple’s new CEO after 15 years of Cook’s leadership, and Cook has become the company’s executive chairman. Ternus sent a memo to the Apple team thanking Cook and the Apple team for their work and expressing excitement for a “huge launch.” Have we ever seen two of Apple’s CEOs share the stage before?
Cook’s predecessor, Steve Jobs, didn’t appear on stage with him at Apple’s September event in 2011. Ternus and Cook didn’t appear together at Apple’s WWDC event in June, the last before Cook stepped down, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see Ternus and Cook next week.
Three new iPhone models are what readers expect
Half of CNET’s respondents (50%) expect three new iPhone models next week. In round two, 80% of respondents guessed Apple’s first foldable phone would appear at the fall event. We could also see the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models make an appearance next Wednesday. Some analysts don’t expect to see a iPhone 18 base model this year. Apple could be doing a split launch where some additional models from the iPhone 18 series lineup are announced next week and others in 2027.
Guesses indicate the new foldable iPhone could cost close to $2,000
CNET readers’ guesses about the price of Apple’s foldable iPhone averaged $1,847, but analysts predict the phone will cost between $2,000 and $2,500. A TrendForce report says the foldable could cost even more, starting between $2,099 and $2,299 due to the RAM shortage and increase in hardware costs.
How much people are willing to spend on a foldable iPhone is quite different. A recent CNET survey found that US adults interested in the phone are only willing to spend an average of $781, significantly less than the expected price.
Most think a new Apple Watch Ultra 4 will be part of the fall lineup
Close to 3 in 4 (74%) contestants expect Apple to release the Apple Watch Ultra 4 on Wednesday, while 26% don’t think it will happen. Bloomberg reports we can expect new health and fitness features in Apple’s new watch, plus a faster chip. However, the design will likely remain the same. There’s also a chance Apple could unveil the Apple Watch Series 12 with a familiar design and biometric authentication.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 were both released last September, but the Ultra 2 was released 2023, with no new model in 2024.
Readers think a foldable iPhone will be Apple’s ‘One More Thing’ moment at Surprise and Shine
Apple is full of surprises and could unveil new devices that we didn’t see coming. But CNET readers seem fairly certain that the foldable iPhone will be next week’s “One More Thing” moment.
The foldable iPhone (18%) is at the top of the list of potential surprise reveals. It’s closely followed by a new Home hub (14%), which could double as an AI-powered smart display hub that was expected earlier this year but was delayed due to Siri issues.
Some CNET readers also suspect Apple could reveal new AirPods (10%), and others expect smart glasses (8%) will likely be unveiled until later in 2027 due to rumors of “bumps” in development next year. Some readers also predict a new Apple TV (7%), which could have an upgraded processor and Apple Intelligence.
Read and watch all of CNET’s Apple event coverage next week to learn if your guesses were correct.
Dashia Milden
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