Apple will introduce at least five new devices at its iPhone-centric event next month, and it’s also possible we’ll have Siri AI-powered devices like the Apple TV.
iPhone 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro will look like the iPhone 17 Pro, but with a smaller Dynamic Island. It receives internal updates, including a new wide camera with a variable aperture for more control over lighting and a faster A20 Pro chip built on a new 2nm process. Battery life could improve with the updated chip and an improved LTPO+ OLED display, and Apple could include a more efficient C2 modem and N2 networking chip. Dark Cherry is supposed to be this year’s special color, and there will also be a light blue color.
iPhone 18 Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same feature set as the iPhone 18 Pro, but it will have a bigger battery and a larger screen. Several rumors indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 18 Pro, as it is expected to receive a larger battery than the one Apple used last year.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost up to $300 more than the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple has raised prices on Macs and iPads, but is waiting for the September update before raising iPhone prices.
Foldable iPhone
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is almost ready for launch. The “iPhone Ultra” is expected to have a screen of around 5.5 inches when closed and a screen of around 7.8 inches when open. It will have a 4:3 aspect ratio like an iPad, so when unfolded it will be similar to using an iPad mini. Apple is expected to use a hinge design that minimizes fold visibility, and it will get the same 2nm A20 chip that Apple uses in all 18 Pro models.
The foldable iPhone is expected to have two batteries, one on each side of the device, but it will be limited to a dual-lens rear camera system. The iPhone is too thin for the TrueDepth camera system, which is why it is rumored to use Touch ID instead of Face ID. The foldable iPhone could cost between $2,000 and $2,500.
We’ve seen reports of foldable iPhone manufacturing issues and rumors that it could launch after the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple could introduce it in September and then launch it a little later, which is what the company did for the iPhone X in 2017.
Apple Watch Series 12
Apple will refresh the Apple Watch this year, but it will be a somewhat boring update. No design changes are expected, but it could get a faster S-series chip, and the upgrade could add improvements to some health and fitness features. It could also have a bigger battery for longer life.
Apple Watch Ultra 4
There will be an Apple Watch Ultra 4, and it will get the same chip upgrade as the Series 12. DigiTimes claimed the Ultra 4 would be thinner with an upgrade in sensing features, but the site isn’t always accurate and no other rumors have backed up the claim.
Other possibilities
There are home products and Macs that Apple could launch before the end of the year, but it’s possible that Apple will hold a second event in October or November. Many home devices are in development and Apple is expected to introduce a brand new home hub. A second event for the smart home would therefore be logical.
- Welcome Center – Apple is working on a home hub with a 7-inch square screen. It can be used to control smart home products, view photos, make video calls and display information. It will have full Siri AI integration and run Apple apps. The hub could arrive as soon as 2026, but Apple could also keep it until early 2027.
- Apple TV 4K – The Apple TV 4K finally gets an update with a faster processor, more RAM and a new networking chip.
- HomePod mini – Apple will refresh HomePod mini this year, adding a faster chip and new color options.
- HomePod – The full-size HomePod could also get a new chip.
- Smart home camera – Apple has its own security camera in development and it could launch alongside the Home Hub.
Other possibilities in late 2026 include an OLED iPad mini, a refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip, an iMac with an M6 chip, a high-end OLED MacBook Pro with touchscreen, a new Mac mini and a new Mac Studio, but it’s very doubtful whether these products will debut at the September iPhone event.
What doesn’t start
Apple will not release a standard iPhone 18 in September 2026. The lineup will instead focus on more expensive iPhones. The iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 will instead be released in spring 2027. Apple does not plan to refresh the Apple Watch SE this year.
Hello Ternus. Goodbye, cook
Tim Cook will step down as CEO on September 1 to become executive chairman of Apple, and John Ternus will take over. Ternus will lead Apple’s iPhone event in September, and it’s likely we won’t see Cook at Apple’s presentation.
Probable event dates
Given the historical dates of iPhone events, this year’s presentation will likely take place on Tuesday, September 8 or Wednesday, September 9. September 7 is Labor Day and Apple may not want to fly members of the media on vacation.
Australia ChannelNews has stated that Apple’s event will take place on September 8, but it is unclear whether this information is accurate.
If the event takes place on September 8th or 9th, pre-orders will normally take place on Friday September 11th. This date marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, so Apple could avoid pre-ordering on that day. Instead, we might get pre-orders on Saturday, September 12, like Apple did when the iPhone 6s pre-order date fell on September 11, 2015.
