Apple's annual iPhone event is surely only a matter of weeks away and it could easily be the biggest Apple event in years. We're expecting a slew of new devices to be unveiled as John Ternus takes the reins as Apple's new CEO.
And all of that is before we discuss the launch of the long-rumored, much-hyped foldable iPhone Ultra — Apple's first attempt at the folding phone form factor. It's not clear when the device will actually launch, but at the very least, its reveal is almost certainly right around the corner.
In all, Apple is expected to launch up to eight different devices, from the expected new iPhones and upgraded Apple Watches to several new smart home-focused products.
Here's what we expect to see at Apple's September event, and when it should kick off.
When is the iPhone 18 event?
For the last several years, Apple has held its iPhone launch event in the second week of September, and usually on a Tuesday. This would normally mean that Apple would hold its 2026 event on Tuesday, September 8. However, the preceding Monday is Labor Day, so Apple will likely push the event to Wednesday, September 9.
As for launch, iPhones usually go to pre-order the following Friday, but this year that's September 11. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that the pre-orders will be pushed to Saturday, September 12.
This year's edition will be hosted by Ternus, and it looks like his tenure will start with a bang.
iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and Ultra
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
This year, Apple is expected to launch only its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. The entry-level iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Plus won't debut until next spring alongside the iPhone 18e model.
Compared to the iPhone Ultra, they should be priced much more affordably, but analysts have predicted that they could still cost between $200 and $350 higher than the iPhone 17 Pro family. Sticking with the 1TB Pro Max, the current iPhone 17 model costs $1,599. This means the iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost between $1,849 and $1949.
Beyond price, we anticipate a few crucial updates to the iPhone this year. The design will likely look the same, but we should benefit from larger batteries, a variable-aperture camera lens, the A20 Pro chipset, and a smaller Dynamic Island.
iPhone Ultra
The biggest announcement of the event is sure to be the debut of the foldable iPhone Ultra.
Leaks have suggested that it will have more of a wider shape, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with a 7.8-inch foldable display and a 5.4-inch cover screen. It could measure between 4.5 and 4.8mm when unfolded, making it one of the thinnest iPhones ever.
It's rumored to sport a 4,883 mAh battery, the A20 chipset, Apple's in-house C2 modem, and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the power button.
Apple reportedly delayed releasing a folding iPhone until it could eliminate the crease in the display, but whether it's accomplished this remains to be seen. Even Samsung and Oppo, despite their long lead time, have only had moderate success.
One downside is that the iPhone Ultra could be very expensive, costing as much as $2,500 for the base variant. And a brand-new leak this week suggested the iPhone Ultra may not be immediately available, with only "extremely limited" availability.
AirPods Ultra
These ones are a little surprising as based on a previous Gurman report, we weren't expecting the AirPods Ultra until 2027 at the earliest. However, rumor aggregator AppleTrack just reported this week that the Ultra version of AirPods will launch at the iPhone event.
The big change with these headphones is they will allegedly feature a camera that will feed into Siri to allow it to "see" the world.
It would utilize a version of Visual Intelligence to let you ask Siri questions about your surroundings or get turn-by-turn directions from the more powerful AI Siri releasing this fall.
Apple Watch 12 and Ultra 4
Unlike the iPhones, we know a bit less about the next Apple Watches. We are expecting two new models in the Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4.
The leaks have been sparse, but Apple is reportedly not bringing many upgrades this year. The biggest change might be a new kind of band attachment. This does mean that your old bands might not be compatible with the new watches.
Reportedly, Apple could offer a ceramic case option for the first time in years. It should also sport new health and fitness-related upgrades. We already know that watchOS 27 will bring new AI features, an updated Workout Buddy and more useful data tracking. Plus, it should feature better integration with the upgraded Siri AI which we've already seen in the iOS 27 beta.
Smart Home
Apple's smart home ambitions and the rumors surrounding them need to be taken with a massive grain of salt. Leaks have suggested Apple is planning on introducing a suite of smart home devices starting with a revamped HomePod and an AI-powered Apple TV 4K streaming device.
Those rumors have existed for more than two years and largely feed into the company's promises around the AI-powered Siri.
However, this year with iOS 27, Apple may finally have the chatbot that was promised. If it actually releases and works as pitched, this year could actually be the start of Apple Home.
HomePod Home hub
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, long a reporter of the rumored HomePod updates, believes that a new HomePod mini could launch this September alongside the rumored HomePod Home hub.
Several different iterations of this device have been rumored, including one with a $1,000 robot arm. The most common version involves a wall-mounted touchpad or a HomePod speaker with a touch display about the size of an iPad mini.
This device would have a FaceTime camera for video calls and presence sensors to initiate smart home routines.
HomePod mini 2
A new HomePod mini might also debut, but it might not be as big of an upgrade as the Hub. Most rumors suggest that it will feature a new chip and audio improvements.
To be clear, this one feels even more far-fetched than the Hub; the HomePod mini 2 has been on our rumor radar since at least 2023. The current version debuted in 2020, and like the next device, is long overdue for an update.
Apple TV 4K 2026
Like the HomePod series, Apple hasn't released a new version of the Apple TV 4K since 2022. We're long overdue for an upgrade — even if it's only a more powerful chip for stronger performance.
Previously, it was suggested that a new Apple TV could feature the A17 Pro chip, but it's more likely it'll get the new A20 or, to save some money, last year's A19. The device should also get the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Outside of chips, the big upgrade would be Siri AI, which could let you connect the Apple TV as a hub for smart devices. One rumor suggested that Apple might release a set-top box with a camera, which would allow for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.
Will you be tuning in to Apple's event next month? Let me know which device you're most hyped for in the comments.
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