Apple has confirmed its September particular occasion will likely be held on September 9. It will not simply be the iPhone 18 Professional or folding iPhone launch, but additionally the primary occasion with John Ternus as CEO. Here is what to anticipate.
Common as clockwork, Apple holds an occasion in early September to launch new iPhone fashions and different merchandise. Apple has simply confirmed that this would be the case for 2026’s presentation.
Titled “Shock and shine,” the occasion will likely be going down on September 9, beginning at 10 A.M. Pacific, 1 P.M. Japanese Time. As common, it will likely be streamed on YouTube, the Apple Occasion web page, and the Apple TV app, amongst different strategies.
The occasion would be the first for the corporate following the long-awaited CEO transition. John Ternus will take over from Tim Cook dinner on September 1, and can helm the presentation from the outset.
Whereas there was some hypothesis of the return of a stay keynote, it is uncertain that Apple will transfer away from its slick prerecorded video. There will likely be an on-site occasion at Apple Park for the media to check out Apple’s new launches, if not something being streamed stay.
As at all times, AppleInsider will likely be reporting in-depth concerning the product launches and the occasion normally.
What to anticipate for the September occasion
As with each Apple fall occasion schedule, there are numerous merchandise that can launch, however not every part will seem in the course of the prime September showcase. A second and a uncommon third occasion will also be held for choose merchandise that Apple plans to launch a bit later.
iPhone 18 Professional and iPhone 18 Professional Max
The September occasion is mainly when Apple launches its replace to the iPhone vary, and this 12 months it’s the iPhone 18 era. Nevertheless, it’ll solely be a part of the roster as a result of Apple’s resolution to separate the collection into two separate launches.
For September’s occasion, Apple will introduce the premium members of the iPhone 18 household, the iPhone 18 Professional and Professional Max.
A mock-up of a darkish cherry iPhone 18 Professional, one of many rumored colorways.
After the 2025 refresh, the 2026 replace might be going to be a spec-bump replace. Mainly, that can imply a transition to a brand new 2-nanometer A20 Professional chip, which stands to run cooler for longer due to some packaging adjustments.
You can even rely Apple’s C2 modem as being included within the mannequin, too. So far as bodily adjustments go, the digicam bump might get a bit bit greater and colours like darkish cherry might seem, however do not count on a whole overhaul.
In terms of cameras, there could also be a couple of adjustments, together with the potential of under-display Face ID. On the again, the iPhone 18 Professional Max stands out as the solely mannequin to realize a variable-aperture digicam, which will help create an actual bokeh impact as a substitute of a computer-generated model.
What positively will change is the value. Within the wake of the June worth rises and the persevering with reminiscence disaster, the iPhone 18 Professional may price $300 greater than the iPhone 17 Professional counterparts.
Folding iPhone
The extra essential iPhone launch for the occasion would be the iPhone Fold, although it could even be referred to as the iPhone Extremely. The long-awaited smartphone will likely be Apple’s first foray into the foldable market.
It is going to be outfitted with two screens, with an inner 7.8-inch display screen that may be unfolded like a e-book. A second 5.3-inch show will likely be on the skin for extra typical smartphone utilization.
That inner show may very well be fairly uncommon for Apple. There are rumors that it may have asymmetrical corners.
A render of what the iPhone Fold may appear like – Picture Credit score: AppleInsider
The mannequin is anticipated to incorporate premium specs just like the A20 Professional, 12GB of reminiscence, and a lot of cameras. Rumors level to it having a pair of 48-megapixel rear cameras, in addition to front-facing 18MP cameras in the back and front screens for video calls.
The shortage of a telephoto digicam may very well be an issue for early adopters used to premium specs.
Rumors say the inner display screen’s digicam may use an under-display system, whereas the exterior show will likely be punch-hole fashion.
The iPhone Fold additionally stands to be the most costly iPhone Apple sells, even ignoring the reminiscence disaster. Pre-issue rumors forecast a worth between $2,000 and $2,500, but it surely may find yourself being a lot greater.
Although a launch is anticipated to occur in September, chances are you’ll not see it in shops till a lot later. America will in all probability nonetheless be the primary promote it launches in, with a slower rollout elsewhere.
Whereas availability is questionable, the chance of it launching is sky excessive. On August 23, a report claimed that folks have tried out the gadget forward of its launch.
Apple Watch
Often paired with the iPhone launches, you may count on an Apple Watch replace too. We aren’t anticipating a lot in 2026.
The Apple Watch Sequence 12 is not going to profit from a significant overhaul simply but, but it surely may achieve a brand new well being sensor through a fluoroelastomer band and a brand new band attachment methodology. In any other case, do not count on way more than a spec-bump replace right here.
The Apple Watch Extremely may see an replace too, bringing it to model 4. There have been claims of a redesign and new sensors, although rumors have been gentle on precise element.
The 2026 replace could also be a boring one to your wrist, however a revamp remains to be on the best way.
Good Residence
Apple has been working to replace its dwelling gadgets, together with the Apple TV and HomePod mini. Each are anticipated to see updates this fall, after being delayed by the Siri overhaul.
The HomePod mini stands to get a processing improve.
In each circumstances, the expectations are low for overhauls right here, with it being extra of a functionality-based refresh. Utilizing newer chips for processing, they may be capable to help Siri AI.
For the Apple TV 4K, you may additionally see an replace to the Siri Distant, although we’re not solely positive what that will likely be.
A 3rd good dwelling gadget known as the Residence Hub can be a chance. An all-new gadget, it’s anticipated to behave as the middle of your good dwelling community, full with a seven-inch display screen and a FaceTime digicam.
That display screen will handle your good dwelling gadgets, show notifications, calendar listings, and different pertinent info, in addition to deal with communications.
It would take two types, rumors say, with the primary being a half-moon dome with the display screen hooked up to it. A second will connect to mounts utilizing magnets.
Whereas there isn’t any assure that each one three will make it in September’s occasion, Apple Shops are apparently making ready for some type of good dwelling shake-up and model new gadgets.
iPad mini 8
Whereas expectations for iPad appearances are low, there’s one exception within the type of the iPad mini. The eighth-generation gadget is anticipated to even have a giant glow-up for 2026, due to a brand new show.
The present-gen iPad mini, with out OLED.
Rumors and a code leak have indicated that an OLED model is on the best way. This must be an 8.4-inch LTPS panel with hybrid OLED, although with out ProMotion.
It would additionally get the standard chip replace too, probably gaining the A20 chip.
AirPods Professional
An adjunct typically purchased alongside the iPhone, AirPods Professional is believed by some to get one other replace within the latter phases of 2026. Whereas a reasonably pedestrian replace is a protected wager, there could also be one thing extra on the playing cards.
We have now repeatedly seen rumors about AirPods Professional with cameras to seize the consumer’s atmosphere. Based mostly on a demo video that leaked in a macOS Tahoe beta, they could arrive very quickly.
The thought of the cameras is to feed knowledge into Visible Intelligence. A consumer may then ask questions on what they’re or close by topics, which Siri can then interpret and reply to.
This may occasionally not even have to be a verbal question. Apparently, gesture recognition is a chance right here.
These cameras will be capable to detect individuals and take stereoscopic imagery, albeit at a low 1-megapixel decision. However it’ll nonetheless be capable to take images of others on command, full with an compulsory standing gentle.
Earlier rumors mentioned that the camera-equipped model may very well be out in 2027. The beta leak video hints that it may very well be right here loads ahead of anybody thought, however the higher wager remains to be for subsequent 12 months.
