Apple will introduce at least five new devices at its iPhone-centric event next month, including refreshed iPhone Pro models, Apple Watch updates and potentially a foldable iPhone, while some Siri-enabled home devices could arrive later. Tim Cook is set to step down as CEO on September 1 to become executive chairman, with John Ternus taking over and leading the September presentation.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain the iPhone 17 Pro’s design but feature a smaller Dynamic Island and several internal upgrades. Reported changes include a new Wide camera with a variable aperture, a faster A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, and an upgraded LTPO+ OLED for improved battery life. Apple could also include a more efficient C2 modem and an N2 networking chip. Dark Cherry and a light blue color are said to be among the new finishes.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is slated to share the 18 Pro’s feature set while offering a larger battery and bigger screen. Multiple rumors indicate the Pro Max will be slightly thicker than last year’s Pro Max and the standard 18 Pro to accommodate a bigger battery. Both Pro models could be up to $300 more expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Foldable iPhone (iPhone Ultra)
Apple’s first foldable iPhone, referred to as the iPhone Ultra, is reportedly close to launch. It is expected to measure about 5.5 inches when closed and roughly 7.8 inches when open, with a 4:3 aspect ratio similar to an iPad mini. The device is said to use a hinge design that minimizes crease visibility and to run the same 2nm A20 chip planned for the 18 Pro models. The foldable iPhone is expected to use dual batteries (one on each side), retain a two-lens rear camera system, and rely on Touch ID rather than Face ID because the device is too thin for the TrueDepth camera system. Price estimates range from $2,000 to $2,500. Some reports note manufacturing issues and suggest the foldable could be introduced in September but ship later, as Apple did with the iPhone X in 2017.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4
The Apple Watch Series 12 is due for a refresh but is described as a modest update: no design changes are expected, while a faster S-series chip, improvements to health and fitness features, and a larger battery are possible. An Apple Watch Ultra 4 is also expected to receive the same chip upgrade. One report claims the Ultra 4 will be thinner with upgraded sensing functions, though that specific claim has not been corroborated by other sources.
Home devices, Apple TV and other possibilities
Apple is reportedly developing several home products that could appear later in the year or at a second event in October or November. A dedicated home hub with a 7-inch square display is in development; it would control smart home devices, display photos, enable video calls, and run Apple apps with full Siri AI integration. The hub could ship as soon as 2026 or be delayed until early 2027.
The Apple TV 4K is said to be getting an update with a faster processor, more RAM, and a new networking chip. Apple plans a HomePod mini refresh with a faster chip and new color options, and the full-size HomePod could also receive a new chip. Apple is developing its own smart home camera that could launch alongside the home hub. Other late-2026 possibilities reported include an OLED iPad mini, refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro and iMac with M6 chips, a high-end OLED MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, a new Mac mini, and a new Mac Studio, though those are unlikely to debut at the September iPhone event.
What Apple is not expected to launch in September
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 in September 2026; the September lineup is said to focus on higher-end iPhones. The iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 are reported to be scheduled for spring 2027 instead. Apple does not plan to refresh the Apple Watch SE this year.
Event timing and leadership
Based on past scheduling, the iPhone event is most likely to take place on Tuesday, September 8 or Wednesday, September 9; September 7 is Labor Day in the United States. One outlet in Australia reported a September 8 event, but that has not been confirmed. If the event occurs on September 8 or 9, pre-orders would normally fall on Friday, September 11, the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and Apple might avoid that date; pre-orders could instead begin on Saturday, September 12, as the company has done previously.
John Ternus will lead the September iPhone event after succeeding Tim Cook as CEO on September 1, and it is likely that Cook will not appear during the presentation.
