Apple is preparing for one of the biggest product events of 2026, with the company’s September keynote set to focus on a new generation of iPhones, Apple Watch models and other hardware.
Apple has officially confirmed its September 9 event, which will take place at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, or 10:30 p.m. IST in India. The event will be streamed through Apple’s website and the Apple TV app.
The event is particularly significant because it comes just days after John Ternus became Apple’s CEO on September 1, succeeding Tim Cook. Apple announced the leadership transition earlier this year as part of its long-term succession plan.
While Apple has not confirmed the individual products it will unveil, reports and industry leaks point toward a major iPhone-focused presentation, including Apple’s long-rumored first foldable iPhone.
Key Takeaways
- Apple’s September 9 event begins at 10 a.m. PT.
- The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are among the most anticipated announcements.
- Apple’s first foldable iPhone could finally make its debut.
- Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are also expected.
- AirPods 5 could join the hardware lineup.
- Several Macs and smart-home products are reportedly in development but may arrive at a later event.
Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Could Be the Biggest Announcement
The most exciting potential announcement is Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
The device has been widely rumored to carry the iPhone Ultra name, although Apple has not confirmed what it will actually be called.
Unlike some existing foldable smartphones that use a relatively narrow outer screen, Apple’s rumored design is expected to fold like a book. When opened, the larger internal display could provide an experience closer to a small tablet.
Reports suggest the phone could feature an approximately 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch internal display. The larger screen would make the device useful for watching videos, multitasking and other activities that benefit from additional display space.
However, Apple’s pursuit of an extremely thin foldable design could come with compromises.
Rumors point to a dual-camera system rather than the larger camera arrangement found on Apple’s Pro iPhones. Face ID may also be replaced by Touch ID because of the challenges involved in fitting Apple’s existing TrueDepth hardware into a very thin foldable chassis.
The price could also make the foldable iPhone a luxury product, with reports suggesting a possible price approaching $2,500.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Are Expected
The foldable iPhone may grab the headlines, but the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is likely to remain the centerpiece of Apple’s annual smartphone refresh.
Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with both models receiving upgraded internal hardware and camera improvements.
One of the most frequently reported changes is a smaller Dynamic Island. Apple could also introduce an improved main camera with a variable aperture, giving users greater control over exposure and depth-of-field effects.
The phones are also expected to use Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip, based on a 2-nanometer manufacturing process. The new chip is expected to focus on performance and power efficiency.
Interestingly, Apple is reportedly changing its iPhone release strategy this year.
The standard iPhone 18 is not expected at the September event. Instead, reports indicate that the regular iPhone 18 and other more affordable models could arrive in spring 2027. That would make this year’s September lineup more heavily focused on premium devices.
Apple Watch Series 12 Could Get a Performance Boost
Apple’s smartwatch lineup is also expected to receive an annual refresh.
The Apple Watch Series 12 is rumored to retain a design similar to the current generation rather than receiving a dramatic visual overhaul.
The major improvements could instead come from a faster processor, better AI-related capabilities and potential health and fitness improvements.
Apple has been placing increasing emphasis on AI-powered features, so improvements to Siri and on-device intelligence could become more important with the new generation.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Is Also Expected
The rugged Apple Watch Ultra line could receive its fourth-generation model alongside the Series 12.
Major design changes aren’t expected, but reports suggest Apple could improve the processor and sensing capabilities.
The Ultra series is aimed at users who want a larger, more durable smartwatch for outdoor activities, fitness and demanding environments.
If Apple keeps the existing design language, the upgrade may be more about internal performance than appearance.
AirPods 5 Could Join the Event
Apple’s wireless audio lineup could also receive an update.
The company is expected to introduce AirPods 5, potentially with different versions depending on whether users want active noise cancellation.
That would give Apple another major consumer product to showcase alongside its new iPhones and Apple Watch models.
Apple’s AirPods business has become an important part of its broader ecosystem, particularly because the earbuds integrate closely with iPhone, iPad and Mac devices.
What About the New Home Hub?
Apple is also working on a dedicated smart-home hub that could eventually become a central control point for the company’s Home ecosystem.
The rumored device is expected to feature a small square display, potentially around 6 to 7 inches, with functionality similar to a compact iPad combined with a smart-home controller.
Users could potentially use it to control lights, thermostats, locks, cameras and other compatible devices.
The Home Hub is also expected to take advantage of Apple’s increasingly capable Siri AI, allowing users to interact with their smart-home equipment through natural-language commands.
However, the Home Hub may not be ready for the September event. Current reporting suggests Apple could instead introduce it later in 2026 or even in early 2027.
Apple TV 4K Could Receive a Major Upgrade
A new Apple TV 4K is another product reportedly under development.
The next model could receive a faster processor, more memory and Apple’s newer wireless technology.
Reports have also suggested that Apple wants to make the Apple TV more capable for gaming and AI-related tasks.
However, it remains unclear whether Apple considers the Apple TV a priority for this particular September presentation.
Don’t Expect Every Rumored Mac at the Event
Several new Macs are reportedly in development, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will appear on September 9.
Apple has already announced a new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips, with availability beginning September 22. The company says the M6 version delivers up to four times faster AI performance and up to twice the graphics performance compared with the previous-generation M4 model.
Apple has also introduced the M5 Ultra and refreshed the Mac Studio.
That means the September event is more likely to remain focused on the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods rather than becoming another major Mac launch.
Reports suggest a redesigned high-end MacBook Pro, potentially featuring an OLED display and touch support, could arrive later in 2026 or in early 2027.
A New Era Begins Under John Ternus
This year’s event has another important storyline beyond the products themselves.
John Ternus officially became Apple’s CEO on September 1, replacing Tim Cook. Cook moved into the role of executive chairman as part of the planned leadership transition.
That makes the September event one of Ternus’ first major public moments as Apple’s chief executive.
The timing could make the presentation particularly significant. Apple is entering a period in which artificial intelligence, foldable devices, new chip technologies and smart-home products could play increasingly important roles in its strategy.
How to Watch Apple’s September Event
Apple has confirmed that the event will take place on Wednesday, September 9, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
For viewers in India, Apple’s official India events page lists the livestream for 10:30 p.m. IST. The presentation will be available through Apple’s website and the Apple TV app.
What Could Make This Apple’s Biggest Event in Years?
Apple’s September 2026 event has the potential to be considerably more important than a typical annual iPhone refresh.
The arrival of a foldable iPhone would give Apple an entirely new smartphone category, while the iPhone 18 Pro models could introduce another generation of Apple’s custom silicon and camera technology.
At the same time, the Apple Watch and AirPods would reinforce the company’s existing ecosystem.
The bigger story, however, could be Apple’s changing direction under John Ternus. With AI becoming increasingly important across smartphones, computers and smart-home products, Apple will need to demonstrate that its hardware and software ecosystem can keep pace with competitors.
For consumers, the biggest question is whether Apple can turn these rumored upgrades into products that justify premium prices.
The September 9 event should provide the first major answer. And if the foldable iPhone makes its long-awaited debut, it could be one of the most significant Apple product launches in years.
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