Coverage· Apple· Published Sep 8, 2026

Tim Cook drove a decade-long foldable iPhone project as his final CEO product

The source says Tim Cook pushed Apple’s foldable-iPhone effort for a decade and intervened directly in the iPhone Ultra’s development, though it will launch after he steps down.

Coverage

DNA Brief

Signal Summary

Apple engineers had been exploring foldable devices, and the source says Cook reportedly saw many people using foldable smartphones during his 2019 Asia tour. Bloomberg reported that his direct intervention made the iPhone Ultra happen. The excerpt provides no technical details and does not specify when Cook stepped down or when the product will launch.

Why It Matters

The iPhone Ultra is presented as more than a new Apple product: it is described as the final product Cook pursued as CEO, while its post-departure launch makes the effort a long-running project that extends beyond his tenure.

Evidence

Start with the primary evidence, then review supporting sources and context.

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Primary Evidence

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  • AppleInsiderDocumentOriginal

    A folding iPhone was Tim Cook's decade-long passion project

    William Gallagher <wg@williamgallagher.com>

    For a man known to not be a product guy, it was Tim Cook who pushed hard for 10 years to perfect a foldable iPhone before he stepped down. Tim Cook during his 2019 Asia tour where he reportedly saw many people with foldable smartphones - image credit: Apple.…