News / Apple September Event

Apple’s Biggest September in Years: iPhone 18 Pro, a Foldable — and a New Boss on Stage

By Sarah Jenkins • Senior News Editor • August 18, 2026

Photo: Ka Kit Pang / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Apple’s autumn launch event is expected on 8 or 9 September, and if the reporting is accurate it will be the most consequential one in years — new flagship iPhones, Apple’s first foldable, and a change at the very top of the company. Here’s what credible reports say to expect, and what remains rumour.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

The Pro models are expected to move to Apple’s A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, with a smaller Dynamic Island and a new wide camera featuring a variable aperture — a first for iPhone. Notably, multiple reports say the standard iPhone 18 has been pushed to spring 2027, splitting Apple’s launch cycle in two.

The foldable: ‘iPhone Ultra’

The wildcard is Apple’s long-rumoured foldable, reportedly around 5.5 inches closed and 7.8 inches open, using Touch ID rather than Face ID to keep the design thin. Price expectations sit between $2,000 and $2,500, which would position it directly against Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Until Apple shows it on stage, treat every detail as provisional.

A new CEO takes the stage

Beyond hardware: John Ternus becomes Apple CEO on 1 September, taking over from Tim Cook, and this event is expected to be his first keynote in charge. Apple Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 are also expected, with a possible Apple TV and HomePod mini refresh rounding out the show.

While you wait: read our iPhone 17 Pro coverage or see how the current iPhone 15 holds up in 2026.