Apple’s first foldable iPhone is widely expected to make its debut on September 9, during the tech giant’s annual fall iPhone launch event, which begins at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. EDT), under the tagline “Surprise and shine.”
The keynote will introduce three new devices: the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable that rumors have settled on calling the iPhone Ultra.
The announcement confirms that Apple has successfully navigated the production hurdles that previously clouded the foldable’s launch. Two months ago, TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo warned that supply chain bottlenecks, specifically regarding the hinge and folding display, might push general availability into 2027.
Apple’s decision to move forward with a September launch suggests those engineering challenges have been resolved, though limited supply remains a primary concern for early adopters.
Nevertheless, the company is deviating from its traditional unified release schedule. While the Pro and Ultra models take center stage next month, the standard iPhone models will likely sit this one out. Apple has reportedly split its annual launch, pushing the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 to a separate spring 2027 event.
Hardware changes across the lineup
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will retain last year’s shapes and display sizes, but the upgrades sit just underneath: a variable-aperture main camera, a noticeably smaller Dynamic Island, Apple’s C2 modem, and a new A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process.
While the Pro models play it safe, the foldable is the real headline. It is Apple’s first new form factor since the iPhone X launched in 2017. Renders point to a short, wide book fold with an outer display between 5.3 and 5.5 inches and an inner display between 7.6 and 7.8 inches, all framed in titanium and engineered to hide the crease beneath an ultra-thin body.
Face ID, which has dominated the iPhone for more than a decade, may not survive the transition and is expected to be replaced by Touch ID, which has reportedly moved into the power button. The new foldable will also feature two front cameras and a dual-camera setup on the back. Early, hands-on reports suggest the device feels comfortable to hold, though the cameras may leave some buyers wanting more.
Despite the seeming internal trade-offs, the “Ultra” will likely be Apple’s most expensive iPhone yet. Estimates put the starting price at around $1,999, with some configurations reaching $2,500. The first-run supply, however, is expected to be limited.
Beyond the iPhone, the company’s wearables lineup is also set for a quiet refresh. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are expected to debut without major redesigns, focused instead on new internal processors and health features, though no new Apple Watch SE is planned. AirPods 5 are also likely to appear, while the rumored AirPods Pro with ‘Visual Intelligence’ isn’t expected until next year.
The hardware updates are only part of the story. The Sept. 9 event also marks a leadership change with Tim Cook handing the CEO title to John Ternus on September 1, staying on as executive chairman after 15 years of running the company.
Apple will stream the launch event on apple.com, YouTube, and the Apple TV app, with press invited to Apple Park in Cupertino for the proceedings.
Sources: Apple, X (Formerly Twitter), New York Times, Apple Insider, Notebookcheck, 9TO5Mac