iPhone Ultra, iPhone 18 Pro and more: From Apple’s first foldable iPhone to Touch ID replacing Face ID, what to expect on September 9

Apple’s September event could be one of its biggest product launches in years. The company is expected to unveil its 2026 iPhone range on September 9, with a first-ever foldable iPhone reportedly set to take centre stage.

The event, reportedly titled “Surprise and Shine”, is expected to begin at 10 am Pacific Time on Wednesday, September 9. Alongside the new iPhones, Apple could also announce new Apple Watch and AirPods models, software updates and possibly new smart-home products.

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Apple’s first foldable iPhone could steal the show

The biggest talking point is expected to be Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which has been referred to as the iPhone Ultra in rumours.

Unlike clamshell-style foldables, Apple is reportedly working on a book-style design. The device could have a roughly 5.5-inch OLED display on the outside and a much larger 7.8-inch OLED screen when opened.

When unfolded, the device is expected to have a wider, tablet-like shape. The design could make it feel closer to a compact iPad when fully opened while still working like a regular smartphone when closed.

Foldable iPhone could focus heavily on thinness

Thickness is reportedly one of the areas where Apple wants to make a statement. The foldable iPhone could measure around 4.5mm when opened and approximately 9mm when folded.

The thin design may have required Apple to make some compromises, however. Reports suggest the company has been working on a durable hinge and a display designed to minimise the appearance of the crease.

A completely crease-free foldable screen has reportedly been difficult to achieve with current technology, meaning Apple could instead focus on making the crease less noticeable and improving long-term durability.

Touch ID could replace Face ID

One of the more surprising changes could involve biometric authentication. The foldable iPhone is rumoured to use Touch ID rather than Face ID, reportedly because the slimmer design leaves less room for the TrueDepth camera system.

The fingerprint sensor could be built into the side button, similar to the approach Apple uses on some iPad models.

That does not necessarily mean the device will lose front-facing cameras. Reports suggest cameras could be positioned for both the outer and inner displays, allowing users to take selfies and make video calls with the phone either folded or open.

Dual rear cameras could feature on the foldable

The rear camera setup could also differ from Apple’s Pro iPhone models.

Instead of a three-camera system, the foldable iPhone is rumoured to feature two rear cameras: a Wide camera and an Ultra Wide camera. The arrangement could allow the cameras to remain usable in both folded and unfolded modes.

MagSafe has also been the subject of speculation. While some leaked dummy units reportedly did not show an obvious magnetic ring, reports have suggested that Apple could still include MagSafe charging.

A20 Pro chip could power the iPhone Ultra

Performance is expected to be another major part of the 2026 iPhone generation. The foldable iPhone is rumoured to use Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip, reportedly manufactured using a 2nm process. Reports suggest the chip could offer improved performance and power efficiency compared with the A19 Pro.

The device could also feature 12GB of RAM, alongside other chip-level improvements designed to help with performance and energy efficiency.

Apple is also expected to introduce its next-generation C2 modem in at least some 2026 iPhone models. There is still uncertainty over whether the modem will support mmWave 5G, which could affect modem choices for certain US models.

Large battery could be a key advantage

Despite its slim design, the foldable iPhone could reportedly pack a sizeable combined battery. Rumours suggest a capacity of between 5,400mAh and 5,800mAh, potentially giving the device a larger battery than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The exact real-world battery life would, of course, depend on factors such as the display, processor efficiency, software and network use.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could get camera upgrades

The foldable iPhone may be the headline act, but Apple’s conventional flagship models are also expected to receive upgrades.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are reportedly expected to retain much of the design language introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro series.

However, the camera system could receive one of the biggest changes. Apple is rumoured to be developing a variable-aperture main camera, which could give users greater control over how much light reaches the sensor.

A wider aperture could help in low-light conditions, while a narrower aperture could offer greater control in brighter scenes. It could also provide additional flexibility when creating images with background blur.

iPhone 18 Pro could get a smaller Dynamic Island

The Dynamic Island is reportedly not going away just yet. Earlier rumours suggested that Apple could eventually move Face ID components beneath the display, potentially eliminating the Dynamic Island. However, current reports indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro models could instead feature a smaller version.

The phones are also rumoured to receive new colour options, potentially including dark cherry, light blue and silver.

Bigger battery could boost iPhone 18 Pro Max

Battery life could receive a sizeable boost, particularly on the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The model is rumoured to feature a battery of around 5,567mAh. Combined with a more efficient next-generation processor and improved display technology, this could translate into longer battery life.

Apple is also reportedly considering an LTPO+ display technology that could improve power efficiency.

Apple Watch Series 12 could focus on wellness

Apple’s smartwatch range is also expected to get an update at the September event. The Apple Watch Series 12 is rumoured to retain a familiar design, although a ceramic case option could return. An upgraded processor could bring performance improvements and potentially support enhanced health and fitness tracking.

Apple is also reportedly exploring a feature that could allow the heart-rate sensor to collect information continuously throughout the day. The resulting data could be used by the Health app to provide broader wellness insights.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 may keep the same design

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is also expected to receive an internal upgrade rather than a major redesign.

Reports suggest that Apple could retain the current rugged design while introducing a faster processor and other improvements.

For users hoping for a dramatically different Ultra model, September may therefore be more about performance than appearance.

AirPods 5 could arrive alongside the iPhones

Apple’s wireless earbuds could also be refreshed. References reportedly found in a macOS release candidate have fuelled speculation about AirPods 5. The new earbuds could feature an updated H3 chip aimed at improving audio performance and reducing latency.

The range is expected to include versions with and without active noise cancellation.

Could Apple launch a new home hub?

The September event could potentially stretch beyond personal devices. Apple has reportedly been developing a smart-home hub featuring a roughly seven-inch square display, camera and presence-detection sensors.

The device could be designed to control smart-home products, run applications, support video calls and interact with Siri. Reports have suggested that Apple wants its updated Siri experience to be an important part of the product.

Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini may also get updates

An updated Apple TV 4K is another possible announcement. The device could retain its current appearance while receiving a faster processor, with Apple's software potentially bringing new Siri and gaming-related capabilities.

The HomePod mini could also be due for a refresh. A faster chip and new colour options have been suggested, although a major design overhaul does not appear to be expected.

iOS 27 and other software updates expected

The September presentation is expected to feature plenty of software news as well. Apple could announce release dates for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, tvOS 27, watchOS 27 and visionOS 27.

The software will be particularly important for the foldable iPhone. Developers may need to adapt applications to work across different screen sizes and aspect ratios.

The foldable could also support multitasking features such as side-by-side apps and sidebars, giving it a more tablet-like experience when opened.

Standard iPhone 18 could skip the September launch

One of the biggest changes to Apple’s usual iPhone strategy could be the absence of the standard iPhone 18. According to current rumours, Apple could delay the standard iPhone 18 until spring 2027. It could then launch alongside the iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air.

That would make the September 2026 range particularly Pro-focused, with the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and foldable iPhone potentially forming the main iPhone lineup.

What about the iPhone 18 price?

Pricing remains uncertain, but reports suggest that Apple could increase prices for the iPhone 18 Pro models. Higher memory and storage costs could contribute to the increase, with rumours pointing towards a possible rise of between USD 100 and USD 300 compared with the previous generation.

The foldable iPhone would sit considerably higher in the range, with reports suggesting a starting price of at least USD 2,000. Higher-storage versions could reportedly reach or exceed USD 2,500.

When could iPhone 18 pre-orders begin?

Apple traditionally opens iPhone pre-orders on the Friday after its September launch event. This year, however, September 11 falls on a Friday.

That date could create a scheduling complication, as Apple has previously changed its pre-order timing when the usual date coincided with September 11.

If the company follows the same approach, pre-orders could potentially begin on Saturday, September 12, with the new iPhones going on sale on Friday, September 18.

These dates remain speculative until Apple officially confirms them.

John Ternus could host his first iPhone event as CEO

The 2026 iPhone event could also mark an important change at the top of Apple. John Ternus is expected to host the iPhone launch for the first time as Apple’s chief executive, following Tim Cook’s 15-year tenure as CEO. Cook is now expected to serve as the company’s executive chairman.

That makes the September presentation significant for another reason: Apple could introduce its first foldable iPhone while also presenting a new generation of flagship devices under new leadership.


Inputs from ANI