What is Apple expected to announce at its September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event—the first major showcase under new CEO John Ternus—including the foldable iPhone Ultra’s design, displays, chip, biometric and camera compromises, price, and reported production constraints; the iPho

Apple is expected to use its September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event to debut its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone 18 Pro line, updated Apple Watches, and AirPods 5—new CEO John Ternus’s first major product presentation. Most specifications remain unconfirmed reports, not Apple announcements. 2

• Foldable “iPhone Ultra”: Reports point to a book-style device roughly 4.5–4.8 mm thin when open, with a 7.7-inch interior display and a 5.3-inch cover display. It is expected to use Apple’s A20 Pro chip. 41

  • The tradeoffs reportedly include a side-mounted Touch ID sensor rather than Face ID, because of space constraints, and a dual rear-camera system rather than the Pro phones’ more expansive array.
  • Estimates put its starting price around $2,000, though some analyst projections extend to roughly $2,300–$2,500. 1
  • Supply could be exceptionally tight: a report says Apple is initially producing only a few hundred Ultras a day amid stringent quality-control requirements, which could constrain launch availability. 11

• iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max: Both are expected to retain 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, gain the A20 Pro, and use a smaller, relocated Dynamic Island/Face ID implementation. The phones are expected in new purple and brown-ish/dark burgundy finishes alongside conventional options.

  • The key camera distinction is expected to be a variable-aperture main camera exclusive to the Pro Max; both models are otherwise expected to retain high-end multi-camera systems. 1
  • Component-cost pressure—particularly DRAM/memory shortages—is expected to push prices upward, potentially by about $100–$200 depending on model and storage. Apple has reportedly reduced broader hardware shipment plans because of the memory shortage. 9

• Apple Watch:

  • Series 12 is expected to receive a faster S-series chip, health-related upgrades, and possibly a return of premium white and dark-gray ceramic case options. 8
  • Ultra 4 is expected to get the same processor and health-related advances, plus satellite/outdoor-oriented upgrades, rather than a radically new design. 612

• AirPods 5: Apple is expected to offer two versions—one standard model and one with active noise cancellation. Reports anticipate an H3 chip, with sound, latency, and connectivity improvements; health sensors and cameras are not expected in this generation. 412

• iPhones deferred to spring 2027: Bloomberg’s reported staggered roadmap moves the regular iPhone 18, lower-priced iPhone 18e, and likely a refreshed iPhone Air out of the traditional September window. The September launch is therefore expected to center on the 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and foldable Ultra. 2

• Other products Bloomberg says may follow by early 2027: The wider pipeline reportedly includes updated MacBook Pros, a refreshed MacBook Air, new iPads, a new external display, smart-home hardware including a display hub, and further Apple silicon updates. Bloomberg characterizes this as the start of an unusually large release cycle, rather than a one-event expansion. 2

• Timing: Apple’s event is September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. Eastern at Apple Park, with an online stream. 25 Preorders are expected on Friday, September 11, with regular iPhone 18 Pro and watch deliveries around September 18; the Ultra’s exact shipping timing is less certain because of reported production constraints. 11