iPhone 18 series, foldable iPhone launch in India: When and where to watch Apple’s ‘Surprise and Shine’ event. Check date, time, expected product features

Apple is all set to hold its biggest product event of the year on September 9, and this time there is more than a new iPhone series to look forward to. The company is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while its first foldable iPhone could also make its long-awaited debut. For viewers in India, the event will begin late on Wednesday night.

Apple 2026 launch event date and time in India

Apple’s ‘Surprise and shine’ event will take place on Wednesday, September 9, at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Apple Park, Cupertino. The keynote is scheduled to begin at 10 am Pacific Time, which means it will start at 10:30 pm IST in India.

Apple has officially listed the September 9 event on its India website and confirmed the 10:30 pm IST start time. The company will stream it through its website and the Apple TV app. The event will also be available through YouTube Live.


Date: September 9, 2026

Time: 10:30 pm IST

Venue: Steve Jobs Theatre, Apple Park

Tagline: “Surprise and shine”

Watch: Apple website, Apple TV app and YouTube Live

iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max expected but no iPhone 18 base model

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be the main products at the event. Apple has not confirmed the names or specifications ahead of the keynote, so the reported features should be treated as expectations for now.

Reports have pointed to Apple’s A20 Pro chip, which is expected to use a 2nm manufacturing process. Camera upgrades are also among the biggest rumours, including a possible variable-aperture system on the Pro models. A smaller Dynamic Island and changes to the display have also been reported.

Unlike the usual September iPhone cycle, the standard iPhone 18 models are not expected to be part of this event. Reports indicate that the regular iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and the next-generation iPhone Air could arrive in spring 2027 instead. Bloomberg has previously reported on Apple's plans to split the iPhone launch schedule.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone could steal the show

The bigger surprise could be Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market. Reuters reports that the company is expected to unveil a foldable iPhone, which would mark a major new direction for its most important product line.

The device is expected to use a book-style design with a larger internal display. Reports have also pointed to two rear cameras and Touch ID instead of Face ID, although Apple has not confirmed these details.


The name is another point of interest. “iPhone Ultra” has been widely reported as a possible name, while some reports have used “iPhone Fold”. Neither name has been confirmed by Apple, so it is safer to refer to it simply as the foldable iPhone until the company announces it.

Apple Watch, AirPods update and other products

The iPhones may not be the only announcements. Apple is also expected to introduce the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, with reports suggesting new health-related features and other hardware changes.

New AirPods are another possibility. Reports have suggested AirPods 5 could arrive in different versions, with health features such as heart-rate tracking being discussed.

Apple could also have updates for its smart-home products, including a possible new Home Hub, Apple TV 4K or HomePod mini. However, these products are less certain and could be held for another event.

First major launch under John Ternus

The September keynote is important for another reason. It is the first major product launch under John Ternus, who became Apple's CEO on September 1 after Tim Cook moved to the role of executive chairman.

Reuters has described the event as an important early test for Ternus as he takes charge of Apple. The company is also facing pressure to show progress in artificial intelligence, with reports suggesting that AI and Siri could feature in the wider announcements.