Apple is preparing its biggest wave of new hardware in years, with a foldable iPhone expected to headline the first major product launch led by its new chief executive, John Ternus, on Wednesday September 9.
The “Surprise and Shine” event at Apple Park in Cupertino is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, new Apple Watch models and updated AirPods. But the centrepiece will be Apple’s first foldable smartphone, a device internally referred to as the iPhone Ultra.
The launch marks a significant change of direction for the technology company, which has spent much of the past decade refining established product lines while expanding subscription services. Beyond the iPhone, Apple is preparing a succession of new designs and product categories through 2026, 2027 and beyond.
Ternus took over from Tim Cook as chief executive on September 1, with Cook becoming executive chairman. The leadership change was timed to put the hardware specialist in charge just before an event featuring products largely developed under his engineering organisation.
Foldable iPhone expected to lead Apple launch
The foldable iPhone is expected to open like a book, with a large internal display and a smaller screen on the outside. When closed, it is said to be roughly the size of a passport.
Reports suggest the device will use Apple’s A20 Pro processor and its own C2 modem, with Touch ID, split-screen multitasking and an advanced hinge designed to make the display crease less visible. It is expected to include standard and ultra-wide cameras, but no telephoto lens.
The price could make it one of Apple’s most expensive products, with estimates placing it above US$2,000. The company has not confirmed the device or any of its specifications.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to retain the broad design of their predecessors, while gaining new colour options, improved battery performance and better thermal management. Camera changes could include a mechanical aperture, allowing users to adjust light and depth effects more precisely.
Apple is also expected to unveil the Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4, with new case finishes and additional health and fitness features. Updated components are intended to support a more capable version of Siri, while a continuous heart-rate monitoring feature is understood to be under testing.
New entry-level AirPods are also expected, including versions with and without noise cancellation. AirPods featuring built-in cameras, which would support visual intelligence functions, are not expected until next year.
Touchscreen MacBooks and smart-home push
Apple’s wider product pipeline points to a substantial expansion beyond phones and wearables. Updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini are expected to focus on faster processors and Siri-based artificial intelligence rather than major changes to their exterior designs.
A new smart-home hub is also in development, featuring a roughly seven-inch square display that could be placed on a bedside table or mounted on a wall. It is expected to offer personalised information through facial recognition, alongside widgets, apps, FaceTime and control of connected devices.
For the Mac, Apple is preparing its first laptops with touchscreens and OLED displays. The redesigned MacBook Pro is expected to be offered in 14-inch and 16-inch versions, with a touch-focused interface and an iPhone-style Dynamic Island.
An M6 iMac and an updated 14-inch MacBook Pro are also in the pipeline, while a new OLED iPad mini is expected to deliver stronger contrast and richer colours than the current display technology.
The scale of the planned releases reflects an attempt to establish a new era of hardware innovation at Apple. Ternus has told staff that the company has “a huge launch” ahead, as well as products in development that have not yet been imagined publicly.
Apple plans new devices for 2027 and beyond
The next phase is expected to include a faster MacBook Air, refreshed iPads and a new generation of the lower-cost MacBook Neo. Apple is also preparing to separate its iPhone launches, with the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e expected to arrive in the northern spring of 2027 rather than alongside the Pro models.
An iPhone Air 2 is expected around the same time, potentially gaining a second rear camera, a faster processor and longer battery life. Apple is also working on a second-generation foldable iPhone and a redesigned entry-level MacBook Pro using the M7 chip family.
Other products under development include AirPods with camera sensors, display-free smart glasses and an in-home security system designed to monitor surroundings using artificial intelligence without relying on conventional video footage.
Further ahead, Apple is exploring a tabletop robot based on its smart-home hub, a larger foldable iPhone and a lighter Vision Pro headset. A foldable iPad with a screen of about 20 inches has been tested but is understood to have been delayed or shelved because of manufacturing, pricing and practical concerns.
The company is also continuing to work towards augmented-reality glasses, although that project is not expected to reach consumers until late in the decade at the earliest.
