Apple's September 2026 Event: Everything Expected to Launch

Apple is gearing up for one of its biggest launch months in years, and the timing could not be more significant. The Apple September event, officially titled “Surprise and Shine,” lands on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10 AM Pacific Time (1 PM Eastern, 6 PM BST), streaming live from the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. This also marks a historic first: it’s the debut keynote for new CEO John Ternus, who officially took over from Tim Cook on September 1, ending Cook’s run as the face of Apple’s biggest stage moments.

Between new iPhones, a long rumored foldable device, fresh wearables, and a major software overhaul, this Apple event 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most loaded product cycles Apple has had in a while, with as many as eight new products expected to reach shelves before the month is out.

Upcoming Apple Products at a Glance

A quick look of every rumored and confirmed Apple product launching this month, along with their standout features and expected release timelines.

What’s Expected at the Apple Surprise and Shine Event

From a first ever foldable iPhone to updated wearables and a major software overhaul, here’s everything rumored to launch at Apple’s biggest event yet.

1) iPhone Ultra: Apple’s First Foldable Phone

The headline act this year is almost certainly the foldable iPhone, widely expected to be branded the iPhone Ultra. Reports describe a book style folding design similar in spirit to Samsung’s Fold lineup, with an inner display expected around 7.6 to 7.8 inches and a roughly 5.5 inch outer cover screen. Apple is said to be focusing heavily on a thin profile, a minimal visible crease, and a more durable hinge mechanism than earlier foldable phones from other brands have managed. Pricing rumors point to a premium tag, likely starting above $1,799, and possibly crossing $2,000.

There was brief concern that the iPhone Ultra could face a delayed rollout into October, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has since said he would be surprised if it didn’t launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup or very close to it.

2) iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to bring an evolutionary rather than dramatic upgrade over the iPhone 17 Pro. The standout changes include a faster A20 Pro chip built on a 2 nanometer process, a smaller Dynamic Island, and a new main camera system featuring variable aperture. Some leaks suggest the camera upgrade may be more pronounced on the larger Pro Max model specifically, alongside a bigger battery. Apple’s new in house C2 modem is also expected to feature in this lineup.

Worth noting for anyone holding out for a standard model: Apple is not releasing a regular iPhone 18 this September. The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are all expected to arrive later, in spring 2027 instead.

3) Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4

Both the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected to be largely a “chip and ship” update this year, meaning a faster processor without major changes to design or standout new features. There is some chatter about the return of a ceramic case option for the Series 12, but rumors are fairly consistent that this won’t be a dramatic redesign year for either watch.

4) AirPods 5

AirPods 5 are also expected to make an appearance, having reportedly already been referenced in recent macOS beta code, which usually signals a product is close to release. Like their predecessor, they’re expected to come in both standard and active noise cancelling versions, though details on what’s actually new remain thin. This is not expected to be the long rumored AirPods model with built in cameras.

5) Possible Extras: Apple TV, HomePod mini, and a Smart Home Hub

A few additional products could show up at the event, or simply appear quietly on Apple’s website later this year. A new Apple TV 4K with a chip capable of supporting the new Siri AI experience is expected before year end, and a similarly updated HomePod mini may follow the same pattern. There’s also ongoing speculation about a new smart home hub, described as a roughly 7 inch tablet like device available in both speaker mounted and wall mounted versions, designed to handle FaceTime calls, music, and smart home controls. Whether it appears in September or later in the fall remains uncertain.

6) Mac mini and Mac Studio (Already Announced)

Apple already announced new Mac mini models with M6 and M5 Pro chips, along with new Mac Studio models featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, back in August. Both lineups begin shipping September 22, landing in the same month as the rest of Apple’s fall hardware even though they were revealed slightly earlier than usual.

Software Updates Coming Alongside the Hardware

This year’s software push is just as significant as the hardware lineup. iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 “Golden Gate,” and watchOS 27 are all expected to roll out around the same time as the new devices, likely the week following the keynote.

The centerpiece of this update cycle is a completely rebuilt Siri, referred to as Siri AI. It’s described as a true conversational AI assistant capable of understanding context across Messages, Mail, Calendar, and Contacts to generate more personalized, useful responses, putting it much closer in capability to other modern AI assistants. Alongside Siri AI, the update brings new Photos editing tools, a redesigned Image Playground, and a long list of smaller quality of life fixes throughout the system.

Why This Event Matters More Than Usual

A few factors make this year’s Apple Surprise and Shine event stand out beyond the usual iPhone refresh cycle. It’s the first keynote under a new CEO, ending a 15 year run of Tim Cook headlining Apple’s biggest stage moments. It also marks Apple’s official entry into the foldable phone category, a space competitors have occupied for years. And the software side brings what may be the most significant Siri overhaul in the assistant’s history. Taken together, this is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most consequential product cycles in recent memory.

Conclusion

Between the debut of the iPhone Ultra, refinements to the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, updated wearables, and a major Siri software overhaul, Apple’s September 9 event has a lot riding on it, both in terms of new hardware and in setting the tone for a new era of leadership. As with any pre event roundup, treat every detail here as expected or rumored until Apple confirms it live on stage. Once the keynote wraps, this page will be worth revisiting for the confirmed specs, pricing, and release dates.

FAQs

1) When is Apple’s September 2026 event?

Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event takes place on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10 AM Pacific Time, streamed live from Apple Park.

2) Will Apple announce a foldable iPhone at the September event?

Yes, Apple’s first foldable device, expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, is widely rumored to debut at this event, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

3) Is Apple releasing a standard iPhone 18 in September?

No, the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are expected to launch later, in spring 2027, rather than alongside the Pro models this September.

4) What chip will the iPhone 18 Pro use?

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to use a new A20 Pro chip built on a 2-nanometer manufacturing process for better performance and efficiency.

5) Who is hosting Apple’s September event this year?

This will be the first Apple keynote hosted by new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1, 2026.

6) What software updates are coming with this event?

iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and watchOS 27 are all expected to roll out around the event, featuring a completely rebuilt Siri AI assistant.

7) How can I watch the Apple September event live?

The event will be streamed live on Apple’s website, the Apple TV app, and YouTube, with a replay typically available shortly after it ends.