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Apple’s September 9 Event: What the Foldable iPhone Leak Reveals
Apple’s confirmed September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event is widely expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable iPhone. TrendForce estimates a U.S.
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Key takeaways
- Apple’s confirmed September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event is widely expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
- TrendForce estimates a U.S. starting price of $2,099–$2,299, while IDC forecasts more than 10 million foldable iPhone shipments in its first full year of availability.
- Reports point to a Saturday, September 12 pre order opening rather than Friday, September 11, with retail availability expected September 18; Apple has not confirmed either date.
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openai.comCreate a landscape editorial hero image for this Studio Global article: What is expected at Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event at Apple Park in Cupertino on September 9—including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro. Article summary: Apple has confirmed a “Surprise and Shine” presentation for Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. PT at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino. It will be the first major Apple launch of new CEO John Ternus’s tenure. Topic tags: general, news, general web. Style: premium digital editorial illustration, source-backed research mood, clean composition, high detail, modern web publication hero. Use reference image context only for broad subject, composition, and topical grounding; do not copy the exact image. Avoid: logos, brand marks, copyrighted characters, real person likenesses, fake screenshots, UI text, readable text, watermarks, charts with fake numbers,
Apple’s next hardware keynote is set for Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. PT at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino. The company has confirmed the event’s “Surprise and Shine” branding, location and livestream, but it has not publicly named the products it will introduce. Reports nonetheless point to a Pro-focused iPhone launch led by the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple’s long-rumored first foldable iPhone. 1
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The key distinction for buyers: the event is official; nearly every device name, specification, price and release detail below remains rumor or analyst expectation.
The foldable iPhone: a premium price is the clearest signal
The device is often called the “iPhone Ultra” in reports, though Apple has not confirmed that name. A purported Vodafone Australia listing, circulated through a single social-media account, claimed three storage configurations:
- 256GB: A$3,699
- 512GB: A$4,199
- 1TB: A$4,699
Neither Apple nor Vodafone has confirmed the listing, so it should not be treated as a final price sheet. Still, the reported tiers line up with earlier expectations of 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options, and they reinforce the expectation that the foldable will sit above Apple’s existing flagship range. 20
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Australian retail prices cannot be converted directly into U.S. pricing because they reflect local taxes, currency and market conditions. Separately, TrendForce estimated a $2,099–$2,299 U.S. starting price, with high-end configurations potentially exceeding $3,000. Those figures are also estimates, rather than Apple pricing. 22
Rumored design and hardware
Current reports describe a book-style foldable with a roughly 7.8-inch inner OLED display and 5.5-inch outer OLED display. The same reporting points to a 120Hz ProMotion inner screen, Touch ID, 12GB of RAM, and storage options reaching at least 1TB. 22
Other widely repeated but unconfirmed claims include a thinner, low-crease folding panel, a titanium build, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual 48-megapixel rear cameras and an A20-series chip. Until Apple presents the product, these details should be viewed as a prospective specification list—not a buying guide.
Why Apple’s foldable matters beyond Apple
IDC expects Apple’s first foldable iPhone to ship more than 10 million units in its first year of availability, despite its expected high price. IDC also forecasts that Apple could account for roughly 40% of global foldable shipments in 2027, with more than 17 million Apple foldables shipped that year. These are market-research forecasts, not production targets or sales guidance from Apple. 52
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The forecast is significant because IDC expects Apple’s entry to help revive foldable-phone growth. But a strong category forecast does not establish the device’s final price, availability or consumer reception. 56
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: the expected upgrades
The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to headline the conventional smartphone lineup. Reported changes include an A20 Pro chip, a smaller or relocated Face ID system, a 24-megapixel front-facing camera, camera improvements and a new orange- or copper-like color option. The larger iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumored to have a variable-aperture main camera that would not come to the smaller Pro. 3
Apple has not confirmed any of those features. The practical takeaway is that the Pro Max may be positioned as the camera-first choice, while the foldable would be the high-cost option for people who prioritize a larger, tablet-like display.
Pre-orders may move because September 11 falls on Friday
The reported launch calendar breaks from Apple’s usual Friday pre-order pattern. Multiple reports say pre-orders could open on Saturday, September 12, rather than Friday, September 11, which is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. A Friday, September 18 retail release has also been predicted. 38
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The Vodafone Australia rumor likewise points to September 12 pre-orders for the foldable. That overlap is notable, but it does not authenticate the carrier leak or confirm Apple’s final schedule. 17
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Other products that could appear
Beyond iPhones, analysts and event previews expect Apple Watch updates and possible new AirPods Pro hardware. Apple Watch Series 12, a new Ultra model and a refreshed SE are among the rumored candidates, but Apple has not announced them. 6
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The regular iPhone 18, lower-cost iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air may not be part of this September presentation. Reports suggest Apple could split its launch cycle and move those models to spring 2027. 39
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How to watch
Apple says the event will be livestreamed on its website. Reports also expect viewing through the Apple TV app and Apple’s YouTube channel. The presentation begins at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET on September 9. 1
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For prospective buyers, the most useful thing to watch for is not another leak: it is Apple’s official confirmation of the foldable’s name, storage lineup, regional pricing and delivery date. Those details will determine whether the reported A$3,699 entry price is a credible preview or simply an inaccurate placeholder.
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What is the short answer to "Apple’s September 9 Event: What the Foldable iPhone Leak Reveals"?
Apple’s confirmed September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event is widely expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
What are the key points to validate first?
Apple’s confirmed September 9 “Surprise and Shine” event is widely expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and Apple’s first foldable iPhone. TrendForce estimates a U.S. starting price of $2,099–$2,299, while IDC forecasts more than 10 million foldable iPhone shipments in its first full year of availability.
What should I do next in practice?
Reports point to a Saturday, September 12 pre order opening rather than Friday, September 11, with retail availability expected September 18; Apple has not confirmed either date.