Apple has designed a book-style foldable that has an iPad-like layout when it’s opened up. It will have a ~5.5-inch OLED<\/a> outer display, which is what you’ll use when the iPhone is closed. It will unfold into a larger \u200cOLED\u200c display that’s approximately 7.8 inches.<\/p>\n Apple wanted a crease-free design, but that doesn’t seem to be possible with a foldable yet. The \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c will instead have a minimal crease and a durable liquid metal hinge. Foldables are delicate and hinges can be a weak point, so Apple focused on durability. Rumors indicate Apple could have some tricks to keep the crease less visible over time, such as optically clear adhesive<\/a> that will fill in any micro-cracks caused by repeated folding.<\/p>\n When unfolded, the \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c could be as thin as 4.5mm, making it Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date. That would make it 9mm when folded, which is close to the thickness of the 8.75mm iPhone 17 Pro<\/a> Max. With a chassis that thin, Apple had to make design compromises.<\/p>\n There is reportedly no space for the TrueDepth camera system for Face ID<\/a>, so it’s going to use Touch ID<\/a> instead. There will be a \u200cTouch ID\u200c side button, similar to the iPad Air<\/a> and \u200ciPad mini\u200c. Though \u200cFace ID\u200c isn’t included, there will be front cameras for both the inner and outer displays.<\/p>\n Apple also didn’t have room for a three-lens rear camera system, so the \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c won’t have a telephoto lens. Rumors suggest it will have an Ultra Wide lens and a Wide lens located on the back of the device, so the rear camera works whether the \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c is folded or unfolded.<\/p>\n It was unclear if MagSafe<\/a> would be included because leaked dummy models<\/a> didn’t feature a magnetic ring, but Bloomberg says \u200cMagSafe\u200c charging will indeed be a feature<\/a>.<\/p>\n The \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c will have a 2nm A20 Pro chip. The A20 Pro is expected to be around 18 percent faster<\/a> and up to 30 percent more power efficient than the A19 Pro, and it could have a 7-core GPU<\/a>, a wider memory interface, and a larger L2 cache for its efficiency cores. We’re expecting 12GB of RAM.<\/p>\n Apple’s 2026 iPhones could use its house-designed C2 modem, which is expected to be faster and more efficient than the C1X. It’s not yet clear if Apple has added mmWave technology to the C2, and if it hasn’t, foldable iPhone models sold in the U.S. could use Qualcomm modems instead. mmWave 5G isn’t widely used outside of the U.S., but it is an expected feature for U.S. iPhones. The other alternative is limiting the foldable iPhone to sub\u20136GHz 5G speeds worldwide.<\/p>\n Each half of the \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c will have a battery inside, and it could have a total capacity in the 5,400 to 5,800 mAh range. The \u200ciPhone 17 Pro\u200c Max has a 5,088 mAh battery for comparison.<\/p>\n Apple isn’t taking risks with color. The \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c will come in silver\/white and a second color that’s been described as a very deep shade of indigo that’s close to black.<\/p>\n Software could make or break the \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c, and Apple has been telling developers to design their apps for a variety of sizes and aspect ratios to accommodate the two foldable screens. The \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c is likely to support multitasking, side-by-side apps, and sidebars, much like the iPad<\/a>.<\/p>\n Apple’s first foldable won’t be cheap. According to rumors, it will cost at least $2,000, and higher-capacity models could be upwards of $2,500.<\/p>\n iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max<\/p>\n The iPhone 18 Pro<\/a> models will look a lot like the \u200ciPhone 17 Pro\u200c models, with no major design changes expected. There are rumors that the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c Max might be a little bit thicker and heavier because of a larger battery<\/a>, but \u200ciPhone 17 Pro\u200c cases are expected to fit the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c models. The camera plateau could be slightly thicker to accommodate a new variable aperture lens.<\/p>\n With the \u200ciPhone 17 Pro\u200c models, there’s a clear color contrast between the frosted glass back and the aluminum casing, but that might be more subtle<\/a> with the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c. While the overall shape isn’t being updated, the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c and Pro Max could have a smaller Dynamic Island<\/a>. There were early rumors about under-display \u200cFace ID\u200c with no Dynamic Island<\/a> at all, but that’s not going to happen.<\/p>\n There may be a noticeable increase in battery life due to the larger capacity battery rumored for the 18 Pro Max (5,567 mAh), plus efficiency improvements from the 2nm A20 Pro chip it’s supposed to get and an upgrade in display technology. Rumors say Apple is using an LTPO+ display<\/a> that’s more efficient than the current \u200cOLED\u200c display.<\/p>\n Apple plans to upgrade the main rear camera with a DSLR-like variable aperture<\/a>, giving users more control over the light that reaches the lens. An option for a smaller aperture in bright lighting could improve exposure, while a larger aperture in lower lighting conditions would let in more light to reduce grain and produce sharper images. A variable aperture also gives more control over background blur. Some rumors suggest this might be a feature exclusive to the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c Max, but it’s not clear if that’s accurate.<\/p>\n Apple could use a three-layer stacked image sensor<\/a> developed by Samsung, which would make the camera more responsive and improve low-light performance. The Telephoto lens could have a wider aperture to let in more light, but no changes are rumored for the Ultra Wide lens or the front-facing camera.<\/p>\n There might be changes to the Camera Control button. Apple is supposedly simplifying it to eliminate the capacitive layer that lets you swipe to adjust camera settings on the button.<\/p>\n As with the foldable iPhone, some or all of the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c models could get Apple’s C2 modem, but again, it’s possible U.S. models will have Qualcomm modems for mmWave 5G.<\/p>\n Compared to the \u200ciPhone 17 Pro\u200c models, the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c models will be more expensive<\/a>. Apple is paying more for memory and storage, and prices for Macs and iPads already went up. We could see a price increase ranging from $100 to $300<\/a>.<\/p>\n Apple Watch Series 12<\/p>\n The Apple Watch Series 12 won’t design changes, but Apple could bring back the ceramic case option<\/a>. We’re expecting an updated processor that could bring improvements to health and fitness tracking.<\/p>\n Apple is testing a feature that would let the heart rate sensor continuously collect data throughout the day, powering a new Health app feature that could show wellness-related info similar to what the Oura Ring offers.<\/p>\n Apple Watch Ultra 4<\/p>\n Like the Apple Watch Series 12, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 will have no major changes. It’s likely to get the same upgraded processor and related changes.<\/p>\n AirPods 5<\/p>\n References to AirPods 5 were found in the macOS 26.7 release candidate<\/a>, and the new earbuds could launch alongside the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c models. Apple could add an updated H3 chip for improved sound quality and lower latency, and we’re likely to still get an ANC version and a non-ANC version.<\/p>\n Possible Product Launches<\/p>\n Home hub – Apple is working on a home hub with a 7-inch square display, an integrated camera, presence detection sensors, and more. It will control smart home devices, but it will also run apps. Rumors suggest it can be used to make video calls, play content, and interact with Siri<\/a> AI, the new version of \u200cSiri\u200c in iOS 27<\/a>. Apple has been waiting to launch the home hub because \u200cSiri\u200c AI is a central feature of the new device. Software Updates<\/p>\n At the September 9 event, Apple will announce the release dates for \u200ciOS 27\u200c, iPadOS 27<\/a>, macOS Golden Gate<\/a>, tvOS 27, watchOS 27<\/a>, and visionOS 27. Apple will also likely seed release candidate versions of the updates to developers and public beta testers following the event.<\/p>\n Based on historical release timelines, \u200ciOS 27\u200c and its sister updates could come out as soon as September 14.<\/p>\n What Not to Expect<\/p>\n There are several other products rumored to be launching before the end of 2026, but they’ll likely come at a second event in October or November. There’s also a notable omission from the lineup, because Apple is going to delay the iPhone 18<\/a>.<\/p>\n iPhone 18 – The standard \u200ciPhone 18\u200c will not launch in September 2026, with Apple instead planning to debut it in spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e and the iPhone Air<\/a> 2. In the fall, we’re only getting the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c, \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c Max, and foldable iPhone. Apple’s New CEO<\/p>\n New Apple CEO John Ternus has presented at Apple events before, but the iPhone event will be the first he hosts as CEO in place of Tim Cook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cook was Apple’s CEO for 15 years, so a transition to Ternus leading an event is a major change.<\/p>\n Cook is now Apple’s executive chairman, and he may not make an appearance during the event at all.<\/p>\n iPhone Preorders<\/p>\n Apple almost always holds preorders on the Friday after an event, but this year, that Friday is 9\/11. It’s unlikely Apple will do iPhone preorders on Friday because of the date, so orders could happen on Saturday instead. The last time iPhone preorders overlapped with the 9\/11 date in 2015, Apple pushed orders to Saturday.<\/p>\n If Apple follows the same pattern, the \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c models and the \u200ciPhone Ultra\u200c could be available for preorder on Saturday, September 12. Back in 2015, Apple started preorders at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, but in recent years, preorders have started at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Preorders this year could take place at 5:00 a.m. on September 12.<\/p>\n The new iPhones will likely launch on Friday, September 18, regardless of preorder date.<\/p>\n How to Watch<\/p>\n Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event will start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, September 9. Apple will livestream the event on its website<\/a>, on YouTube<\/a>, and through the \u200cApple TV\u200c app on supported devices.<\/p>\n For those unable to watch the livestream, MacRumors will have full event coverage on MacRumors.com and the MacRumorsLive X account<\/a>. We’ll also take a much closer look at all of the new products after the event.![\"iPhone](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/iPhone-Ultra-Fold-Feature.jpg\")
The design is wider than it is tall when it’s open, and you can picture it as something like an iPad mini<\/a> that folds in half. Samsung’s recent Galaxy Z Fold8<\/a> matches the foldable iPhone rumors, so it may be the best look at the size and layout of Apple’s device.<\/p>\n![\"iPhone](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/iPhone-18-Pro-Dark-Cherry-Feature.jpg\")
Apple has new colors planned, including a dark cherry shade, light blue, and silver. Rumors suggest there won’t be<\/a> a black \u200ciPhone 18 Pro\u200c option.<\/p>\n
\nApple TV 4K – There’s a new Apple TV<\/a> with a faster processor in the works, and it could come at the September event. No design changes are expected, but an updated chip could support \u200cSiri\u200c AI and new gameplay features. There are also signs of a new remote in Apple code<\/a>.
\nHomePod mini – The HomePod mini<\/a> is due for a refresh, and it’s also expected to get a faster processor. We haven’t heard word of design changes, but it could come in new colors.<\/p>\n
\nApple Watch SE 4 – There won’t be a new Apple Watch SE 4 this year.
\nM6 MacBook Pro – A new entry-level MacBook Pro<\/a> with an M6 chip is coming before the end of the year, but not at the September event.
\nM6 iMac – There’s also an M6 iMac<\/a> rumored to be coming in 2026, but Apple is likely to hold a Mac event to announce it, or do it via press release at a later date.
\nOLED MacBook Pro – We’ve been waiting on an \u200cOLED\u200c touchscreen \u200cMacBook Pro\u200c, and it’s rumored for late 2026 or early 2027. It’s not a candidate for Apple’s September event.
\nOLED iPad mini – There’s an \u200cOLED\u200c \u200ciPad mini\u200c in development, and it’s expected to launch before the end of October. It’s another one that’s unlikely for an iPhone event.<\/p>\n
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