Apple's Foldable iPhone Ultra, iPhone 18 Pro Launch Set for Sept. 9

Apple is set to host its highly anticipated September event on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The event, rumored to be themed "Surprise and Shine," is expected to be a significant one for the company, marking the debut of its first-ever foldable iPhone and the reveal of its latest iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Alongside the new smartphones, consumers can also expect updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods.

The most significant announcement anticipated is the introduction of Apple's first foldable device, which industry insiders suggest may be named the iPhone Ultra. This foldable is rumored to feature a book-style design, unfolding to reveal a large, iPad-like display. When closed, users will interact with a roughly 5.5-inch outer OLED screen, expanding to approximately 7.8 inches when opened. The device's dimensions when unfolded are expected to be wider than they are tall, drawing comparisons to a folded iPad mini. Durability appears to be a key focus for Apple, with reports indicating a design that minimizes creasing and incorporates a robust liquid metal hinge. The company is also reportedly exploring technologies like optically clear adhesive to manage the visibility of the crease over time.

Technological Innovations and Design Compromises

The pursuit of an ultra-thin foldable design, potentially as thin as 4.5mm when open, has led to certain design concessions. Unlike its flagship slab-style iPhones, the iPhone Ultra is not expected to feature the TrueDepth camera system for Face ID. Instead, it will reportedly utilize Touch ID integrated into the side button, similar to current iPad Air and iPad mini models. Despite the absence of Face ID, the device will include front-facing cameras for both internal and external displays. The rear camera system is also simplified, omitting a telephoto lens and featuring only an Ultra Wide and a Wide lens, designed to function regardless of whether the phone is folded or unfolded. Despite early speculation, Bloomberg reports that MagSafe charging will be included.

Powering the iPhone Ultra will be the new 2nm A20 Pro chip, which is anticipated to offer substantial performance and efficiency gains over the previous A19 Pro. Speculation points to a 7-core GPU, an enhanced memory interface, and a larger L2 cache. The device is also expected to come with 12GB of RAM. In terms of connectivity, Apple may introduce its in-house C2 modem, promising faster and more efficient performance. However, U.S. models might still rely on Qualcomm modems for mmWave 5G support, a feature not universally adopted outside the United States. Battery life is addressed with a dual-battery design, potentially offering a combined capacity between 5,400 and 5,800 mAh, significantly more than the 5,088 mAh in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone Ultra is slated to be available in silver/white and a deep indigo color.

Software will play a crucial role in the foldable experience, with Apple reportedly guiding developers to optimize apps for varied screen sizes and aspect ratios, enabling features like multitasking and side-by-side app views. The premium nature of this technology comes with a premium price tag, with rumors suggesting a starting cost of at least $2,000, potentially reaching over $2,500 for higher storage configurations.

The standard iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to retain a similar design to their predecessors, with minor enhancements. A slightly thicker and heavier Pro Max model is possible due to an anticipated larger battery. Key upgrades include a new variable aperture main rear camera, allowing for more control over light exposure and depth of field, similar to DSLR cameras. This feature might be exclusive to the Pro Max. Apple may also implement a new three-layer stacked image sensor for improved responsiveness and low-light photography. While the overall design remains familiar, the Dynamic Island might be reduced in size. Battery life is projected to improve, thanks to larger batteries, the efficient A20 Pro chip, and advancements in display technology, possibly utilizing a more power-efficient LTPO+ panel. The camera control button could also see simplification. As with the foldable model, U.S. versions of the iPhone 18 Pro may feature Qualcomm modems for mmWave 5G. Price increases are anticipated for the iPhone 18 Pro models, ranging from $100 to $300, attributed to rising component and manufacturing costs.

Beyond the iPhones, the Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to arrive without significant design changes but could see the return of a ceramic case option. An upgraded processor is likely to enhance health and fitness tracking, potentially introducing continuous heart rate monitoring for new wellness insights, akin to devices like the Oura Ring. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is also anticipated to receive similar internal upgrades. Finally, references in macOS code suggest the launch of AirPods 5, potentially featuring an updated H3 chip for improved audio and reduced latency, available in both active noise cancellation (ANC) and non-ANC variants.