Apple has scheduled its annual September showcase for Wednesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The company is expected to announce the 2026 iPhone family, featuring its inaugural foldable handset, refreshed iPhone 18 Pro models, new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 devices, the next generation AirPods, and a handful of possible new hardware categories.
Apple’s First Foldable iPhone
Rumors indicate the upcoming foldable will be called the iPhone Ultra, though Apple has not confirmed a name. The design follows a book‑style concept that resembles an iPad mini when opened. When closed, a roughly 5.5‑inch OLED screen serves as the outer display; unfolding the device reveals an approximately 7.8‑inch OLED panel. The opened device is expected to be as thin as 4.5 mm, making it the thinnest iPhone to date, while the folded thickness would be around 9 mm, comparable to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Apple aims for durability with a minimal crease and a liquid‑metal hinge. Leaked information suggests the use of optically clear adhesive to reduce the visibility of micro‑cracks over time. Because of space constraints, the foldable will forgo the TrueDepth Face ID system and instead rely on a Touch ID side button, similar to recent iPad models. Front‑facing cameras will be present on both the inner and outer screens. The rear camera module will house an Ultra‑Wide and a Wide lens, but no telephoto lens, ensuring functionality in both folded and unfolded states.
MagSafe charging is expected to return, according to Bloomberg. Under the hood, the iPhone Ultra should run a 2 nm A20 Pro chip, touted as roughly 18 % faster and up to 30 % more power‑efficient than the prior A19 Pro, with a 7‑core GPU, a wider memory interface, a larger L2 cache, and 12 GB of RAM. Battery capacity is projected between 5,400 mAh and 5,800 mAh, split across the two halves. The device will be offered in a silver/white finish and a deep indigo shade close to black, and pricing is rumored to start at $2,000, potentially reaching $2,500 for higher‑capacity variants.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Updates
The iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to retain the overall silhouette of the iPhone 17 Pro models, with no major design overhaul. New color options may include dark cherry, light blue and silver, while a black variant appears unlikely. A slightly smaller Dynamic Island could appear, but under‑display Face ID is not anticipated.
Battery capacity may rise, especially for the Pro Max, which could house a 5,567 mAh cell. Combined with the efficiency gains of the A20 Pro chip and a new LTPO+ display, Apple projects noticeable gains in battery life. Camera improvements include a DSLR‑style variable aperture lens on the main sensor, offering a wider aperture for low‑light scenes and a smaller aperture for bright conditions. A three‑layer stacked sensor from Samsung may boost responsiveness and low‑light performance. The telephoto lens could receive a larger aperture, while the ultra‑wide and front cameras remain unchanged. The Camera Control button may be simplified by removing the capacitive swipe layer.
Like the foldable, the iPhone 18 Pro line could incorporate Apple’s in‑house C2 modem, though U.S. models might still rely on Qualcomm hardware for mmWave 5G. Prices are expected to climb by $100 to $300 relative to the prior generation, reflecting higher memory and storage costs.
Wearables, Audio and Potential New Devices
The Apple Watch Series 12 is rumored to keep its current case design while re‑introducing a ceramic option and adding an upgraded processor aimed at health and fitness tracking. Apple is testing continuous heart‑rate monitoring that could feed a new Health app feature comparable to the Oura Ring. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is also slated for an internal processor upgrade without external design changes.
AirPods 5 references appeared in the macOS 26.7 release candidate, hinting at a launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro. An updated H3 chip may improve sound quality and latency, and both ANC and non‑ANC versions are expected.
Beyond the core lineup, Apple may reveal a home hub featuring a 7‑inch square display, integrated camera, presence sensors and Siri AI support, a new Apple TV 4K with a faster processor and an updated remote, and a refreshed HomePod mini with a quicker chip and new color options.
Software announcements will round out the event, with release dates for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, tvOS 27, watchOS 27 and visionOS 27, plus developer seed builds and public betas.
Mitchell Landsberg is a Senior Technology Correspondent at News Raise. He covers consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, software developments, and digital privacy trends.
