iPhone event on 9 September: what to expect
In a few days’ time, Apple will be presenting its latest iPhones. Rumour has it that one of them will be foldable. The standard iPhone 18, however, isn’t expected to be released until spring.
Titled Surprise and Shine, Apple will be unveiling new iPhones on 9 September. You can watch the event starting from 7 p.m. on Apple’s website or YouTube channel. It looks like Apple’s divided its smartphone product cycle into two parts: the high-end models (Pro and Ultra) launched in autumn, the others (base model, E model, and Air) in the spring. The upcoming event is expected to see new Apple watches in addition to iPhones.
Like every year, there are already plenty of rumours and leaks. This article is a summary of what’s currently out there. None of it’s been confirmed by Apple, nor do we have any insider information as a retailer.
iPhone Ultra
The leaks all agree that the first foldable iPhone will be released this year. Evidence supporting this has been provided by display manufacturers and well-connected analysts including Mark Gurman. iPhone Ultra is currently considered the most likely name for Apple’s first foldable, but iPhone Fold is also a contender. Its price is expected to be at least 2,000 US dollars. The version with one terabyte (TB) of storage might even be around the USD 3,000 mark.
Source: MacRumors
Its form factor is expected to be similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 – think outer display with a diagonal of 5.5 inches and a 7.8-inch inner display with a 4:3 aspect ratio. This would make the Apple foldable almost as large as an iPad mini (8.3 inches) when unfolded. However, the iPad mini’s display has a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is better suited for standard videos.
Allegedly, Apple’s waited this long to release its first foldable because the technology to make the fold virtually invisible just wasn’t available until now. It’s said that their engineers were tasked with achieving this goal at any cost. Some leaks are saying that the iPhone Ultra uses a new type of panel made by Samsung exclusively for Apple. Its expected to be 19 per cent thinner than previous displays, allowing for a slim yet sturdy design.
The hinge is also said to be improved and more durable than those of other brands. It’s assumed that the hinge will be made of Liquid Metal – a material that’s particularly resistant to bending, stronger than titanium alloys and akin to stainless steel. In terms of colour, the iPhone Ultra isn’t expected to be very daring, but, instead available in black, white and dark blue.
Dummy models suggest that, despite its steep price, the foldable iPhone will only have two cameras. There’s probably simply not enough space for a telephoto camera. Other features, such as MagSafe, the Action Button and the physical SIM card slot, might also be ditched due to its ultra-thin design. Some leaks are saying that, instead of Face ID, there will be a Touch ID sensor in the lock button, similar to that on the base-model iPad. For selfies, the device might also feature an under-display camera on the front and a punch-hole camera when the device is folded open.
iPhone 18 Pro
The standard-sized flagship model isn’t expected to undergo any visual changes this year. It’s expected that the iPhone 18 Pro is to look almost exactly like the iPhone 17 Pro. No wonder, really, as Apple gave the design a major overhaul just last year. The only difference might be a smaller cutout (Dynamic Island) for the selfie camera and Face ID. The new model might also be a little thicker to make room for a larger battery.
A new improvement is expected for the main camera: a variable-aperture lens, similar to those found on larger cameras. This allows for greater control over exposure and depth of field. However, on smartphones, bokeh effects are mainly simulated digitally anyway (portrait mode) due to the small sensor, and the electronic shutter achieves extremely short exposure times. It remains to be seen just how useful a variable aperture will be in practice.
Source: Macworld / Foundry
It’s likely that a new A20 chip will be used, but still unclear whether Apple will be producing A20 Pros exclusively for its high-end iPhones and other models will be equipped with a standard version of the chip in the spring. Seeing that the standard models come out half a year after the high-end iPhones, it’s also possible that Apple will do away with this distinction altogether in the future. In other words, if you were to buy a Pro model, you’d simply be paying for the head start – at least as far as the chip is concerned. In addition to the A20, a new modem (C2) and a new network chip (N2) may also be in the works.
According to rumours, the iPhone 18 Pro Max won’t have any additional functions compared to the smaller model. The leakers aren’t quite in agreement about the colours: some are expecting dark red, others purple. In addition, there are talks of a light blue, silver and a dark grey version. As with the iPhone 17 Pro, the colours are likely to be rich and vibrant – a look made possible thanks to the switch to anodised aluminum.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4
Not much has been happening on the watch front for years now, and 2026 is shaping up to be yet another uneventful year for upgrades. The Series 12 is expected to look exactly the same as the Series 11. A new chip (S11) and a battery with higher energy density could at least improve runtime and unlock more functions of the new Siri AI. Some fitness and health features are also expected to be improved. Which ones and what are still unclear.
Source: Apple/Apple Watch Ultra 3
It also looks like there won’t be a new Apple Watch SE this year. As for the Ultra 4, it’s expected to have a slightly slimmer case. Obviously, the most expensive watch will also be equipped with the new S11 chip featuring Siri AI and, presumably, longer battery life. The sensors used to measure heart rate and blood pressure are also said to be improved.
Price increases and other potential products
In June, Apple raised the prices of its MacBooks and Home products. With the launch of the new generation, their iPhones are also likely to become significantly more expensive. At launch, the iPhone 17 Pro with 256 gigabytes of storage cost USD 1,099 or CHF 1,099 or EUR 1,299. The latest model is expected to be available from at least USD 1,299. Some analysts are even expecting a USD 1,399 price tag.
The reasons are well known: the memory supply crisis has now also hit Apple. Prices for RAM and SSDs keep rising because AI companies need massive amounts of storage to run their data centres. As one of the largest buyers in the consumer sector, Apple was able to delay passing on the higher costs for a long time thanks to long-term supply contracts. But now Cupertino is also struggling to get its hands on enough DRAM for its chips. As a result, there are already reports that the iPhone 18 Pro may be in short supply at launch.
Source: MacRumors
In addition to smartphones and watches, other products might be announced. Leaks have revealed AirPods with a camera, for example. According to the latest reports, these aren’t expected until 2027, though. In addition, Apple’s planning a push into the smart home sector in the near future with products including a new Home Hub as well as new versions of Apple TV and HomePods. However, these are unlikely to hit the market before November or even 2027. The launches probably depend on whether John Ternus wants to make a dramatic entrance in his first keynote as the new CEO, or if he’d rather have some aces up his sleeve for the months to come.
My fingerprint often changes so drastically that my MacBook doesn't recognise it anymore. The reason? If I'm not clinging to a monitor or camera, I'm probably clinging to a rockface by the tips of my fingers.
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