Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' Event: What to Expect on September 9

Apple has officially set its next hardware event for September 9, 2026, under the tagline "Surprise and Shine." Invitations went out in late August, and based on pre-event reporting, this could be one of the biggest product refreshes Apple has scheduled in years — up to six new devices are expected to be announced.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

The headline act is expected to be the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, reportedly powered by a new A20 Pro chip. Rumors point to a smaller Dynamic Island cutout, a simplified Camera Control button, and a new Dark Cherry color option. The Pro Max is rumored to be slightly thicker than its predecessor to accommodate a larger battery, along with an exclusive variable-aperture camera not shared with the standard Pro model.

iPhone Ultra: Apple's first foldable

The most speculative — and most interesting — rumor is an iPhone Ultra, said to be Apple's first foldable phone, with a 7.7-inch inner display and a 5.3-inch outer screen. Reports suggest it will use a Touch ID power button rather than Face ID, a notable design departure. On the software side, iOS 27 is rumored to introduce side-by-side app support and iPad-style multitasking, which would make a lot more sense on a book-style foldable than on a standard iPhone screen.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4

Alongside the phones, Apple is expected to refresh its watch lineup with the Apple Watch Series 12, likely carrying an S11 chip or newer, longer battery life, and improved fitness tracking, with a ceramic case option reportedly returning. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is rumored to bring faster performance, further fitness improvements, and expanded satellite features — including Apple Maps via satellite and satellite-based photo sharing.

AirPods 5

Rounding out the expected lineup, AirPods 5 are said to be launching in two variants: one with active noise cancellation and a cheaper version without. Pricing for any of these products hasn't leaked in detail yet.

What we still don't know

Apple hasn't confirmed pricing or availability dates for anything beyond the event itself, and as with every pre-launch cycle, some of these rumors will turn out wrong. We'll be covering the keynote live on September 9 and updating this piece with confirmed details as soon as Apple takes the stage.