Apple Event 2026 preview: What to expect at today's 'Surprise and Shine' keynote
Apple’s annual autumn hardware event, officially titled "Surprise and Shine", takes place on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The keynote carries historic weight as this will be the first major public product showcase under Chief Executive Officer John Ternus. The showcase, streamed globally across Apple’s official digital platforms, will outline the technology giant's flagship hardware roadmap and soft-launch several long-anticipated devices for the upcoming fiscal year.
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Debuting the Foldable iPhone Ultra
The headline reveal of the event is the anticipated unveiling of Apple’s first foldable smartphone, widely tipped to be named the iPhone Ultra. According to reports, the book-style device features a 7.8-inch inner display alongside a 5.3-inch outer cover screen. Powered by Apple’s next-generation 2-nanometre A20 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM, the Ultra incorporates a side-mounted Touch ID sensor and a dual 48-megapixel camera array, carrying an estimated premium price tag near $2,500 (approx. ₹2.4 lakh).
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Upgrades
Alongside the foldable entry, Apple will launch its flagship slab-style iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, while delaying base-model releases until spring 2027. As detailed by MacRumors, the Pro variants feature a smaller Dynamic Island, Apple’s custom C2 cellular modem, and advanced thermal packaging. Furthermore, a mechanical variable aperture camera lens will debut on the Pro Max, accompanied by a new Dark Cherry colour option and a baseline price increase driven by rising global memory chip costs.
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Wearables, Ceramics, and the 'Readiness' App
In the wearables segment, Apple is set to introduce the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. According to reporting by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, watchOS 27 will introduce an all-new "Readiness" app designed to measure bodily recovery using continuous heart rate sensing, competing directly with health platforms such as Whoop and Oura. Reports from MacRumors also indicate the reintroduction of a premium ceramic case option for the Series 12 and updated health sensor bands.
Smart Home Expansion and Software Rollouts
Beyond personal devices, Apple is expected to expand its ecosystem with a smart Home Hub featuring a 7-inch square display, an A18 processor, and deep Siri AI integration. The keynote will formally confirm release dates for iOS 27, watchOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate. Software updates are slated to roll out to global users within a week of the broadcast, completing a comprehensive hardware and software transition.