Apple’s September event is coming, and this year’s lineup sounds different than usual. Based on what’s been floating around, we might see five new devices. But here’s the kicker – Apple might not show the full iPhone 18 family all at once.
The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and the second-gen iPhone Air? Those could get pushed to spring 2027. That’s a weird move for Apple. But the Pro models are still coming, and there’s a foldable iPhone that might finally show up.
The Mac side of the same question is harder to answer. Who should actually buy an M5 Ultra Mac Studio for local AI is a much smaller group than the marketing suggests.
Let’s break down what’s actually worth paying attention to.
The iPhone 18 Pro – Small Changes, Big Spec Bumps
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to look pretty similar to the iPhone 17 Pro. Not a total redesign. But the Dynamic Island up front might shrink a bit. Apparently Apple’s moving some Face ID components under the screen. It’s not a hole-punch display yet, but if they pull it off, you’d get a little more screen real estate when watching videos or playing games.
Inside, the A20 Pro chip is coming, built on TSMC’s 2nm process. For normal people – that means faster, and probably better battery life.
The camera could get a 48MP main sensor with an adjustable aperture. That’s a fancy way of saying you can control how much light comes in and adjust the depth-of-field. Portrait photos might look noticeably better.
Also worth noting – Apple’s rumored to use its own C2 modem and N2 connectivity chip. That should improve 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and Personal Hotspot. Basically everything that connects your phone to other things.
Color-wise, dark cherry is the rumored hero color this time. There might also be a light blue option.
iPhone 18 Pro Max – Same Features, Bigger Screen, Bigger Battery
The Pro Max gets basically the same upgrades as the Pro. Same A20 chip. Same camera. Same smaller Dynamic Island. Same C2 modem.
The difference? Screen size and battery life.
Rumors say the Pro Max could pack a bigger battery than last year. That means it might also be slightly thicker than the 17 Pro Max and the 18 Pro. Honestly? For people who burn through battery by lunchtime, an extra millimeter might be totally worth it. But if you care about one-handed use and pocket feel, the Pro is probably the safer bet.
One thing that might hurt – price. MacRumors mentioned the Pro models could cost up to $300 more than the iPhone 17 Pro series. That’s significant. If you’re planning to buy one, you might need to budget more than last year.
The Foldable iPhone – The One Everyone’s Talking About
Okay, this is the interesting one.
If the iPhone 18 Pro is the predictable upgrade, the foldable iPhone – reportedly called “iPhone Ultra” – is the wildcard. And honestly, it’s the only reason I’m paying attention to this event.
Here’s what the rumors say: when folded, the external screen is about 5.5 inches. When unfolded, the internal screen is around 7.8 inches, with a 4:3 aspect ratio. That’s closer to a small iPad mini than a giant iPhone. It’s not just a phone that gets bigger – it’s a phone that becomes something else entirely.
Apple’s reportedly using a hinge design that minimizes the crease. That’s been a problem on other foldables, so if they get it right, that’s a big win.
Inside, it’s got the same generation A20 chip as the Pro models. But because the phone needs to be thin, some corners might be cut. Face ID could be swapped for Touch ID. The rear camera might only have two lenses instead of three.
Price? $2,000 to $2,500. That’s expensive. Like, laptop territory expensive.
And here’s a catch – production challenges might delay the actual sale date. It could be announced in September but ship later, like the iPhone X did. Announced in September, available in November. Something to keep in mind.
Apple Watch Series 12 – A Light Year
The Apple Watch Series 12 is coming, but don’t expect a revolution. It’s mostly a chip upgrade and some health/fitness improvements. No major design change.
Some sources mentioned a bigger battery, which would be nice. But if you’re on a Series 9 or 10, this might not be the year to upgrade. Wait and see what the actual battery numbers look like.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 – Might Get Thinner, Might Not
The Ultra 4 will get the same chip upgrade as the Series 12.
DigiTimes mentioned it could get thinner with better sensors, but that hasn’t been confirmed by multiple sources yet. So take that with a grain of salt.
If you already have an Ultra 2 or Ultra 3, the Ultra 4 might not be a compelling upgrade unless battery life or display tech takes a big jump. A chip bump alone probably won’t convince me.
What Probably Won’t Show Up in September
Apple’s got a lot in the pipeline that probably won’t show at the iPhone event:
- Smart home hub with a 7-inch square screen
- New Apple TV 4K
- New HomePod mini and full-size HomePod
- Apple’s own smart home camera
- OLED iPad mini
- M6 MacBook Pro, M6 iMac
- New Mac mini and Mac Studio
These might get their own event in October or November, or even early 2027. Don’t hold your breath for these in September.
Also, the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and second-gen iPhone Air are likely delayed until spring 2027. Apple Watch SE isn’t getting updated this year either.
When Is the Event?
Based on Apple’s pattern, September 8 is the most likely date – that’s a Tuesday. If they stick with the usual 10 a.m. Pacific time start, that’d be 1 a.m. in Taiwan (or whatever time zone you’re in). But we won’t know for sure until Apple sends out the official invites.
The Bottom Line
This September event feels higher-end than usual. The Pro models are the workhorses. The foldable is the headline grabber. The Watches are doing their annual thing.
But if you’re waiting for the standard iPhone 18 or something more affordable, you might be waiting until spring 2027. That’s a long time.
I’ll be watching the foldable most closely. $2,000 is a lot, but if the hinge is solid and the screen works well, it might actually be worth it. Or it could flop. We’ll see.
I’ll be updating this post after the event with actual hands-on impressions. If you’re on the fence, wait for real reviews before pulling the trigger.
