Apple's September Event: A Foldable iPhone, Pricier Pros, and No iPhone 18

Apple is expected to introduce at least five new devices at its annual fall event next month, and the lineup is shaping up to be one of its most unusual in years. The standard iPhone is sitting the show out, prices are climbing across the Pro line, and Apple's long rumored foldable is finally ready to make its debut.

Here is what the rumors point to ahead of the September event.

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Lead the Show

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to carry over the general look of the iPhone 17 Pro, with one visible change up front. Reports suggest the Dynamic Island will shrink, freeing up more of the display.

The bigger upgrades are inside. Apple is said to be adding a new Wide camera with a variable aperture, which would give users more control over how much light reaches the sensor and how much background blur they get. A faster A20 Pro chip is expected to handle the performance side.

Battery life could see a bump from that new chip paired with an upgraded LTPO+ OLED panel. Rumors also point to a new C2 modem and an N2 networking chip, though it is not yet clear whether both will ship this year. Dark Cherry is reportedly the standout new color for the season.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to match the smaller model feature for feature, just at a larger size. Multiple reports indicate it will be slightly thicker than both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the iPhone 18 Pro, a tradeoff Apple is said to be making to fit in a bigger battery.

Higher Prices Across the Line

Both Pro models could cost more this year. Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may land $100 to $200 above their iPhone 17 Pro counterparts.

Apple has already raised prices on Macs and iPads. The company appears to have been holding off on iPhone increases until the September refresh, which suggests the new pricing arrives with these models.

A Foldable iPhone at Last

The device generating the most attention is Apple's first foldable, widely rumored to carry the iPhone Ultra name. It is expected to use a book style design with a 5.5 inch display on the outside and a 7.8 inch display on the inside.

That inner screen is said to use a 4:3 aspect ratio, similar to an iPad. Unfolded, reports suggest it will feel close to using an iPad mini. Apple is also said to have engineered the hinge to keep the crease down the middle as faint as possible, and the device is expected to run a 2nm A20 chip.

There are compromises. The foldable is rumored to pack dual batteries but only a two lens rear camera. It is reportedly too thin to house the TrueDepth camera system, which means Touch ID may return in place of Face ID. Pricing is expected to fall somewhere between $2,000 and $2,500.

Some reports have described manufacturing challenges, along with rumors that the foldable could ship after the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max rather than alongside them. Apple could unveil it in September and release it later, the same approach it took with the iPhone X in 2017.

A Quiet Year for the Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is due for a refresh, but the updates sound modest. The Apple Watch Series 12 is not expected to bring any design changes. Instead, rumors point to a faster S series chip, some improvements to health and fitness features, and possibly a larger battery for longer runtime.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to receive the same chip upgrade as the Series 12. DigiTimes has claimed the Ultra 4 will be thinner with upgraded sensing capabilities, though the outlet's track record is inconsistent.

Home Devices and Macs May Have to Wait

Apple has a stack of home products and Macs that could arrive before the end of the year, but not all of them are likely to appear at an iPhone focused event. There is a real chance Apple holds a second event in October or November, and a dedicated smart home showcase would make sense given how many home devices are reportedly in the pipeline.

Among the products said to be in development:

• Home Hub - A hub with a 7 inch square display that can control smart home accessories, show photos, handle video calls, and surface information. It is expected to feature full Siri AI integration and run Apple's apps. It could arrive in 2026 or slip to early 2027.
• Apple TV 4K - A refreshed Apple TV with a new chip, more RAM, and a new networking chip.
• HomePod mini - An updated HomePod mini with a faster chip and new color options.
• HomePod - The full size HomePod could pick up a new chip as well.
• Smart Home Camera - Apple is said to be working on its own security camera, which could launch alongside the home hub.

Other late 2026 possibilities include an OLED iPad mini, a refreshed 14 inch MacBook Pro with an M6 chip, an iMac with an M6 chip, a high end OLED MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, a new Mac mini, and a new Mac Studio. None of these are expected to show up at the September iPhone event.

The most notable absence is the standard iPhone. Apple is not expected to release a base iPhone 18 this fall, leaving the September lineup weighted toward its pricier models.

Instead, the iPhone 18, the iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are rumored to arrive in spring 2027. Apple also does not appear to have a refresh planned for the Apple Watch SE this year.

Based on the pattern of past iPhone events, this year's presentation is most likely to take place on Tuesday, September 8, or Wednesday, September 9.

If Apple settles on September 9, pre-orders would likely open on September 11 or September 12, with the devices reaching customers on September 18.