Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro event is on September 9

Apple has confirmed its September special event will be held on September 9. It won’t just be the iPhone 18 Pro or folding iPhone launch, but also the first event with John Ternus as CEO. Here’s what to expect.

Regular as clockwork, Apple holds an event in early September to launch new iPhone models and other products. Apple has just confirmed that this will be the case for 2026’s presentation.

Titled “Surprise and shine,” the event will be taking place on September 9, starting at 10 A.M. Pacific, 1 P.M. Eastern Time. As usual, it will be streamed on YouTube, the Apple Event page, and the Apple TV app, among other methods.

The event will be the first for the company following the long-awaited CEO transition. John Ternus will take over from Tim Cook on September 1, and will helm the presentation from the outset.

While there has been some speculation of the return of a live keynote, it’s doubtful that Apple will move away from its slick prerecorded video. There will be an on-site event at Apple Park for the media to try out Apple’s new launches, if not anything being streamed live.

As always, AppleInsider will be reporting in-depth about the product launches and the event in general.

What to expect for the September event

As with every Apple fall event schedule, there are many products that will launch, but not everything will appear during the prime September showcase. A second and a rare third event can also be held for select products that Apple plans to launch a little later.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

The September event is chiefly when Apple launches its update to the iPhone range, and this year it is the iPhone 18 generation. However, it will only be part of the roster due to Apple’s decision to split the series into two separate launches.

For September’s event, Apple will introduce the premium members of the iPhone 18 family, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

A mock-up of a dark cherry iPhone 18 Pro, one of the rumored colorways.

After the 2025 refresh, the 2026 update is probably going to be a spec-bump update. Chiefly, that will mean a transition to a new 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip, which stands to run cooler for longer thanks to some packaging changes.

You can also count Apple’s C2 modem as being included in the model, too. As far as physical changes go, the camera bump may get a little bit bigger and colors like dark cherry may appear, but don’t expect a complete overhaul.

When it comes to cameras, there may be a few changes, including the possibility of under-display Face ID. On the back, the iPhone 18 Pro Max may be the only model to gain a variable-aperture camera, which can help create a real bokeh effect instead of a computer-generated version.

What definitely will change is the price. In the wake of the June price rises and the continuing memory crisis, the iPhone 18 Pro could cost $300 more than the iPhone 17 Pro counterparts.

Folding iPhone

The more important iPhone launch for the event will be the iPhone Fold, though it may also be called the iPhone Ultra. The long-awaited smartphone will be Apple’s first foray into the foldable marketplace.

It will be equipped with two screens, with an internal 7.8-inch screen that can be unfolded like a book. A second 5.3-inch display will be on the outside for more typical smartphone usage.

That internal display could be quite unusual for Apple. There are rumors that it could have asymmetrical corners.

A render of what the iPhone Fold could look like – Image Credit: AppleInsider

The model is expected to include premium specifications like the A20 Pro, 12GB of memory, and a large number of cameras. Rumors point to it having a pair of 48-megapixel rear cameras, as well as front-facing 18MP cameras in the front and back screens for video calls.

The lack of a telephoto camera could be a problem for early adopters used to premium specifications.

Rumors say the internal screen’s camera could use an under-display system, while the external display will be punch-hole style.

The iPhone Fold also stands to be the most expensive iPhone Apple sells, even ignoring the memory crisis. Pre-issue rumors forecast a price between $2,000 and $2,500, but it could end up being much higher.

Though a launch is anticipated to happen in September, you may not see it in stores until much later. The United States will probably still be the first market it launches in, with a slower rollout elsewhere.

While availability is questionable, the probability of it launching is sky high. On August 23, a report claimed that people have tried out the device ahead of its launch.

Apple Watch

Usually paired with the iPhone launches, you can expect an Apple Watch update too. We aren’t expecting much in 2026.

The Apple Watch Series 12 will not benefit from a major overhaul just yet, but it could gain a new health sensor via a fluoroelastomer band and a new band attachment method. Otherwise, don’t expect much more than a spec-bump update here.

The Apple Watch Ultra could see an update too, bringing it to version 4. There have been claims of a redesign and new sensors, though rumors have been light on actual detail.

The 2026 update may be a dull one for your wrist, but a revamp is still on the way.

Smart Home

Apple has been working to update its home devices, including the Apple TV and HomePod mini. Both are expected to see updates this fall, after being delayed by the Siri overhaul.

The HomePod mini stands to get a processing upgrade.

In both cases, the expectations are low for overhauls here, with it being more of a functionality-based refresh. Using newer chips for processing, they will be able to support Siri AI.

For the Apple TV 4K, you may also see an update to the Siri Remote, though we’re not entirely sure what that will be.

A third smart home device referred to as the Home Hub is also a possibility. An all-new device, it is expected to act as the center of your smart home network, complete with a seven-inch screen and a FaceTime camera.

That screen will manage your smart home devices, display notifications, calendar listings, and other pertinent information, as well as handle communications.

It will take two forms, rumors say, with the first being a half-moon dome with the screen attached to it. A second will attach to mounts using magnets.

While there’s no guarantee that all three will make it in September’s event, Apple Stores are apparently preparing for some kind of smart home shake-up and brand new devices.

iPad mini 8

While expectations for iPad appearances are low, there is one exception in the form of the iPad mini. The eighth-generation device is anticipated to also have a big glow-up for 2026, thanks to a new display.

The current-gen iPad mini, without OLED.

Rumors and a code leak have indicated that an OLED version is on the way. This should be an 8.4-inch LTPS panel with hybrid OLED, though without ProMotion.

It will also get the usual chip update too, potentially gaining the A20 chip.

AirPods Pro

An accessory often bought alongside the iPhone, AirPods Pro is believed by some to get another update in the latter stages of 2026. While a fairly pedestrian update is a safe bet, there may be something more on the cards.

We have regularly seen rumors about AirPods Pro with cameras to capture the user’s environment. Based on a demo video that leaked in a macOS Tahoe beta, they may arrive very soon.

The idea of the cameras is to feed data into Visual Intelligence. A user could then ask questions about what they’re looking at or nearby subjects, which Siri can then interpret and respond to.

This may not even need to be a verbal query. Apparently, gesture recognition is a possibility here.

Those cameras will be able to detect people and take stereoscopic imagery, albeit at a low 1-megapixel resolution. But it will still be able to take photos of others on command, complete with an obligatory status light.

Previous rumors said that the camera-equipped version could be out in 2027. The beta leak video hints that it could be here a lot sooner than anyone thought, but the better bet is still for next year.