New Delhi: Apple has officially confirmed its next major product launch event for September 9, putting an end to months of speculation around the company’s 2026 iPhone plans. The event, titled “Surprise and shine”, is expected to bring the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, along with Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone.
The event will take place at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, at 10am local time. For viewers in India, the launch will begin at 10:30pm IST on September 9. Apple is expected to livestream the event through its website, YouTube and the Apple TV app.
The September event could mark one of Apple’s biggest hardware launches in years, particularly because the company is expected to enter the foldable smartphone market for the first time.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max expected
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to headline the September event.
Unlike previous iPhone launch cycles, Apple is reportedly changing its release strategy this year. The regular iPhone 18 is not expected to launch alongside the Pro models. Instead, the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air could arrive in spring 2027.
The Pro models are expected to retain broadly familiar display sizes and an overall design similar to the current generation, but several internal and camera upgrades could make them a significant update.
Apple is reportedly preparing a new A20 Pro chip, manufactured using a 2nm process, along with its next-generation C2 modem. The Pro models could also feature a variable-aperture main camera and a smaller Dynamic Island.
Smaller Dynamic Island could be a major change
One of the most visible changes could involve the Dynamic Island.
Apple is expected to reduce the size of the cutout on the iPhone 18 Pro models, giving the display a cleaner appearance. The change would follow Apple’s longer-term effort to reduce the amount of screen space occupied by front-facing camera and biometric hardware.
The Pro models could also receive new colour options. Dark Cherry has been tipped as one possibility, alongside more familiar shades such as black, silver and light blue.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone
The biggest attraction at the September event could be Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
The device is expected to use a book-style folding design, similar in concept to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold range. Reports suggest it could have an outer display measuring roughly 5.3 to 5.5 inches, while the internal folding screen could measure around 7.6 to 7.8 inches.
When opened, the larger screen could provide a tablet-like experience, potentially allowing users to run multiple applications side by side.
Apple’s entry into the foldable market would represent a major change for the iPhone line and put the company directly into competition with established foldable smartphone makers.
Foldable iPhone could make compromises
The foldable design is expected to require some compromises.
Reports suggest Apple could use Touch ID integrated into the power button instead of Face ID. The device may also have two rear cameras rather than the triple-camera system used on Apple’s Pro models.
The foldable iPhone is also rumoured to feature a titanium frame and a display designed to minimise the visibility of the crease where the screen folds.
Keeping the phone thin while providing sufficient durability is expected to be one of Apple’s biggest engineering challenges.
Price could cross $2,000
The foldable iPhone is expected to sit at the top of Apple’s smartphone portfolio and could become the company’s most expensive iPhone.
Reports have suggested a starting price of around $1,999, with higher-end configurations potentially reaching about $2,500. These prices remain unconfirmed until Apple officially announces the product.
A price at this level would position the foldable iPhone firmly as a premium device rather than a mainstream replacement for the standard iPhone.
For Apple, the product could also provide a new high-margin category at a time when the global smartphone market is facing pressure.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4
The iPhone and foldable device may not be the only products announced on September 9.
Apple is also expected to introduce the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Major exterior redesigns are not currently expected, with improvements instead likely to focus on processing performance, battery life, fitness tracking and health-related features.
A ceramic case option has also been rumoured for the Apple Watch Series 12.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 could receive additional satellite-related capabilities, although Apple has not confirmed these details.
AirPods 5 could also arrive
Apple could also use the event to launch AirPods 5.
Reports suggest Apple may offer two versions, including one with active noise cancellation and another without the feature.
The company could also discuss additional products or services, although some devices reportedly being developed may instead be announced at a later event in October.
New iOS 27 software
The September event is also expected to provide more details about Apple’s upcoming software releases.
Apple is expected to announce release information for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate, among other updates.
For the foldable iPhone, Apple could introduce software features designed specifically for its larger internal display.
Reports suggest the operating system could support side-by-side applications and other multitasking features that make better use of the larger screen.
A major leadership transition
The September 9 event will also come at an important moment for Apple internally.
John Ternus is scheduled to become Apple’s CEO on September 1, taking over from Tim Cook. Cook will move into the role of executive chairman.
This means the September launch will be one of the first major Apple product events under Ternus’ leadership.
Ternus previously served as Apple’s hardware chief, making his background particularly relevant to an event expected to focus heavily on new hardware designs, including the company’s first foldable iPhone.
Standard iPhone 18 reportedly delayed
The decision to separate the Pro models from the standard iPhone 18 represents another major change in Apple’s strategy.
The regular iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and second-generation iPhone Air are reportedly being pushed to spring 2027.
This would give Apple an opportunity to make the September event more focused on its premium products while creating another launch window for its more affordable models.
It could also allow the company to spread iPhone sales across more of the year instead of concentrating its entire lineup in a single launch period.
What to expect on September 9
Apple’s September event is shaping up to be considerably different from a conventional iPhone refresh.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to bring improvements such as the A20 Pro chip, smaller Dynamic Island and camera upgrades, while the foldable iPhone could introduce an entirely new form factor to Apple’s ecosystem.
The Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 could add to the hardware announcements, while software updates should provide more details about Apple’s next-generation operating systems.
For Apple, however, the foldable iPhone is likely to receive the greatest attention.
Conclusion
Apple has officially confirmed its next major launch event for September 9, 2026, with the “Surprise and shine” event scheduled at Apple Park. For Indian viewers, the event will begin at 10:30pm IST.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to headline the launch, with rumours pointing to the A20 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island, camera improvements and a new C2 modem.
However, the company’s first foldable iPhone could steal the spotlight. The book-style device is expected to feature a large internal display, a thinner design and potentially Touch ID instead of Face ID, while its expected price could make it Apple’s most expensive smartphone yet.
The event will also be significant because it comes shortly after John Ternus takes over as Apple’s CEO from Tim Cook. If the expected products arrive, September 9 could mark the beginning of a major new chapter for Apple’s iPhone strategy.