[Digital Today reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] With Apple's biggest annual product launches nearing, attention is focusing on a foldable iPhone, smart home devices, and new Mac and Watch models.

On Aug. 24 (local time), IT outlet NineToFiveMac picked five products to watch, as it expects Apple to soon unveil more than 10 new products.

The most eye-catching product was the foldable iPhone, described as the "iPhone Ultra". It was introduced as a device that combines an iPhone and an iPad mini into one. While there has already been a fair amount of leaked hardware information, there is a view that software will determine the finished quality. A key variable cited was how naturally Apple optimises iOS 27, the operating system for iPhones, for foldable devices. The outlet said the core of the foldable experience lies in software and noted it wants to see whether iOS 27 works more naturally and more powerfully on foldables.

The "HomePad" was cited as a product that could indicate the direction of Apple's smart home strategy. HomePad is described as a signal that Apple is moving in earnest to target the smart home market. Expected features mentioned included Apple Photos slideshows, security camera functions, Siri AI and Apple Music playback with lyrics shown on screen. The report also noted that the HomePad launch was delayed more than expected due to delays to Siri AI. NineToFiveMac said, "Even so, signs continue to suggest the launch is imminent," and assessed that HomePad could show Apple's vision for a "new smart home era".

A new Apple TV 4K model is also drawing attention. With the current model now 4 years old, there is a view that changes to the user experience matter more than a simple performance upgrade. With AI on the rise, expectations are growing that combining Siri AI, a more powerful chip and hardware and software overhauls could make for a meaningful upgrade. As the product is also being discussed as possibly launching around the same time as HomePad, whether it includes a camera is another point to watch. Attention is on whether using FaceTime on a large screen without connecting an iPhone will become reality.

In the Mac lineup, the "MacBook Ultra" was identified as a focal point for change. Possibilities mentioned included touch support, OLED, Dynamic Island, a new design and a cellular option. The outlet said Macs have resolved some issues since the shift to Apple silicon, but still retain elements that feel tied to the past. It said MacBook Ultra could change that trend and assessed it as closer to a long-awaited update for the Mac. A key question is whether Macs can more actively adopt hardware innovations, like iPads.

In wearables, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 were discussed together. The biggest point to watch is a new S-class chip aimed at the AI era. The report said Apple Watch chips have not changed dramatically year to year, and that CPU performance gains have generally been felt on a 3-year cycle. It said this model could deliver a meaningful improvement for the first time in a while since the S9 in 2023. If a more powerful chip is actually applied, it is expected that integration with Siri AI would follow naturally.

Looking at the products discussed this time, Apple's new-product strategy appears to put more weight on form-factor changes, AI responses and smart home expansion than on simple model refreshes. A foldable iPhone could be a testbed for opening a new hardware category, and HomePad could become a central axis for entry into smart homes. New Apple TV 4K, Apple Watch and Mac products are also linked to expanding the scope of AI use in the living room, on the wrist and in PC environments, respectively. Another point to watch is what priority Apple gives these products at an actual launch event.