Apple's next major hardware event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The event, carrying the tagline Surprise and Shine, is expected to be one of the company's most consequential product introductions in recent years. Apple will not only refresh its premium iPhone lineup, but also introduce its first foldable handset. In addition, the company is expected to show new Apple Watch models, AirPods, and set release dates for iOS 27 and other operating system updates.

Apple has not confirmed every detail in advance, but the rumors are unusually consistent. The event is expected to include a foldable iPhone that may be called iPhone Ultra, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5. There is also a chance Apple will use the stage to show a new home hub, updated Apple TV 4K, or refreshed HomePod mini. The standard iPhone 18 is not expected to appear at the September event, however, and could be delayed until spring 2027.

At a glance: Key facts

• When: September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The event will be livestreamed on Apple's website, YouTube, and Apple TV app.
• Main iPhone announcement: Foldable iPhone Ultra with a 5.5-inch outer display and 7.8-inch inner display.
• Pro flagships: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max with A20 Pro chips, new camera technology, and likely price increases.
• Wearables and audio: Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5.
• Software: Expected release dates for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, tvOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27.
• Absent: Standard iPhone 18 is not expected to appear; Apple is reportedly planning a spring 2027 launch for that model.

Foldable iPhone: What we expect from iPhone Ultra

Apple's first foldable iPhone has been rumored for years, and it is now expected to take center stage at the September event. Industry watchers and supply chain reports describe the device as a book-style foldable. When closed, it may look like a compact phone with a roughly 5.5-inch OLED cover display. When opened, it is expected to reveal a 7.8-inch OLED display, similar in feel to an iPad mini that folds in half. The unfolded dimensions are said to be wider than they are tall, with an aspect ratio designed for both phone and tablet-style apps.

The product is expected to be branded as iPhone Ultra, although Apple has not confirmed the name. The company is said to have worked hard on durability, since foldables create more mechanical stress than traditional smartphones. A liquid metal hinge and an internal adhesive designed to minimize the appearance of micro-cracks could help reduce the visibility of the crease over time. Apple may not be able to entirely eliminate the crease, but the company has reportedly tried to make it less noticeable than early foldable prototypes.

One of the biggest design trade-offs involves biometrics. Because the chassis is extremely thin, especially when opened at around 4.5mm, there may not be room for the TrueDepth camera system used for Face ID. Instead, Apple is expected to put Touch ID in the side button, similar to current iPads. Front-facing cameras are still likely on both the outer and inner displays, but the primary authentication method could shift to the fingerprint sensor.

Another trade-off is the camera system. The foldable iPhone is unlikely to include a dedicated telephoto lens. Instead, it may offer a Wide lens and an Ultra Wide lens on the rear. This arrangement would allow the rear camera to be useful whether the device is closed, open, or used in a folded form. Magnetic wireless charging appears to be part of the plan despite conflicting rumors, with MagSafe expected to be included.

Performance should be a highlight. The iPhone Ultra is expected to use a 2nm A20 Pro chip, which could be around 18 percent faster and up to 30 percent more power efficient than the A19 Pro. The device is also likely to ship with 12GB of RAM. Battery capacity could land between 5,400 mAh and 5,800 mAh, split between two halves of the foldable design. The Ultra will likely come in silver/white and a dark indigo color close to black. Pricing may start at $2,000 or higher, with some reports estimating a starting range of $2,099 to $2,299.

On the modem side, Apple could equip the foldable with its own C2 modem in some regions. There are questions about whether the C2 supports mmWave 5G, which is frequently used in the United States. If it does not, U.S. versions of the foldable might include a Qualcomm modem for mmWave support, or Apple could limit the device to sub-6GHz 5G around the world.

Software will be just as important as hardware. The company has reportedly asked developers to create apps that adapt to a variety of aspect ratios and display sizes. iPad-style multitasking, side-by-side app views, and sidebars may all be available on the foldable. The iPhone Ultra could effectively bridge the gap between an iPhone and an iPad.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

The traditional high-end flagships are expected to see more modest updates. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are likely to keep the same basic design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, with some refinements. Rumors suggest the camera bump may be slightly thicker to accommodate a new variable aperture main camera. There is also a possibility that the Dynamic Island could become smaller, but earlier speculation about removing it entirely with under-display Face ID now appears to be off the table.

Color options are expected to include a dark cherry shade, light blue, and silver. A black Pro model may not be offered this year. Apple might also change the relationship between the frosted glass back and the aluminum frame, making the visual contrast less pronounced than in the current generation.

Performance improvements are likely to come from the same 2nm A20 Pro chip rumored for the foldable iPhone. A more efficient LTPO+ display panel and a larger battery could also improve battery life, especially in the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which may have a battery capacity around 5,567 mAh. Reports suggest the main wide camera will gain a DSLR-like variable aperture, giving users more control over exposure and depth of field in different lighting. A three-layer stacked image sensor could also improve low-light performance and reduce shutter lag.

The telephoto lens may receive a wider aperture, but the ultra-wide lens and front-facing camera are not expected to change. Apple could simplify the Camera Control button by removing the capacitive layer that currently handles swipe gestures, retaining a more conventional physical push-button. Pricing is a major uncertainty, but rising memory and storage costs could lead to an increase of $100 to $300 across the lineup.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4

The next Apple Watch models are not expected to feature a major redesign. The Apple Watch Series 12 may reintroduce a ceramic case option, a material Apple has used on past models. Both the Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are likely to receive an updated processor, which could enable better health and fitness tracking. Apple is reportedly testing a feature that continuously collects heart rate data throughout the day. That data could power a new Health app experience similar to readiness and wellness insights offered by devices such as the Oura Ring.

AirPods 5

References to AirPods 5 have been discovered in Apple software releases, increasing the chance that new earbuds will be announced alongside the

Source: MacRumors News