iPhone 18 launch: Date, time, live stream and what Apple may unveil
Apple is set to host its major September launch event on September 9, with the company expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable iPhone, alongside new Apple Watch and AirPods models.
The event, titled “Surprise and Shine”, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, at 10 am Pacific Time.
For Apple fans around the world, the event is expected to mark one of the company's biggest product launches in years, particularly with the anticipated arrival of its first foldable iPhone.
When is Apple's iPhone 18 launch event?
Apple's “Surprise and Shine” event will begin at 10 am Pacific Time on September 9.
The event will be livestreamed by Apple through its official website, YouTube and the Apple TV app on supported devices.
For viewers unable to watch the livestream, MacRumors is expected to provide live coverage through MacRumors.com and its MacRumorsLive X account, followed by detailed coverage of the products announced at the event.
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What is Apple expected to launch on September 9?
The biggest announcement is expected to be Apple's first foldable iPhone, which has been widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra in rumours.
The company is also expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods lineups could also be announced.
Other possible products include a new home hub, an updated Apple TV 4K and a refreshed HomePod mini.
iPhone Ultra: Apple's first foldable iPhone
The foldable iPhone is expected to be the headline product of the event.
Apple has reportedly developed a book-style foldable that opens into a larger display similar in proportions to an iPad mini.
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The device is expected to feature an approximately 5.5-inch OLED display on the outside and a much larger 7.8-inch OLED display on the inside.
When unfolded, the device could be wider than it is tall, giving it a tablet-like appearance.
How thin could the iPhone Ultra be?
Thickness is expected to be one of Apple's major selling points for the foldable.
According to reports, the device could be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded and approximately 9mm when folded.
That would make it potentially the thinnest iPhone Apple has produced.
Apple is also reportedly working on a durable liquid metal hinge. While the company had reportedly aimed for a completely crease-free display, current foldable technology may mean that the device will instead feature a minimal crease.
Touch ID could replace Face ID
The thin design could force Apple to make a significant change to its biometric authentication system.
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Reports suggest there may not be enough internal space for the TrueDepth camera system used by Face ID. As a result, the foldable iPhone could use Touch ID built into the side button.
The approach would be similar to the biometric system used on some iPad models.
The device is still expected to feature front-facing cameras for both its inner and outer displays, allowing users to take selfies and make video calls whether the phone is folded or open.
iPhone Ultra camera setup
The foldable iPhone could also feature a different rear camera arrangement from Apple's Pro models.
Due to space constraints, the device is reportedly expected to have two rear cameras — a Wide and an Ultra Wide camera — instead of the three-camera setup found on Pro iPhones.
MagSafe charging has also been a subject of speculation. While leaked dummy models reportedly did not show a visible magnetic ring, reports citing Bloomberg indicate that MagSafe could still be included.
A20 Pro chip and bigger battery
The iPhone Ultra is expected to feature Apple's 2nm A20 Pro chip, which could deliver higher performance and improved power efficiency compared with the A19 Pro.
The chip is reportedly expected to be around 18 per cent faster and up to 30 per cent more power efficient than its predecessor.
The device could come with 12GB of RAM and a seven-core GPU.
Battery capacity could also be a major advantage. Reports suggest the foldable could have a combined battery capacity of between 5,400mAh and 5,800mAh, compared with the 5,088mAh battery reported for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone Ultra price: How much could it cost?
The foldable iPhone is expected to sit at the very top of Apple's smartphone lineup.
According to MacRumors, reports have pointed to a starting price of at least USD 2,000, with higher-storage versions potentially reaching or exceeding USD 2,500.
What to expect from iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to retain much of the design language introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro series.
While a major redesign is not expected, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could become slightly thicker and heavier because of a larger battery.
The Dynamic Island could also become smaller, although reports suggest Apple is not yet ready to completely eliminate it.
New colour options could include dark cherry, light blue and silver, while black may reportedly be dropped from the Pro lineup.
iPhone 18 Pro camera upgrades
The camera system could see one of the biggest hardware changes.
Apple is reportedly preparing a variable-aperture main camera, which would allow the amount of light entering the lens to be adjusted according to shooting conditions.
A smaller aperture could help in bright conditions, while a wider aperture could improve low-light photography.
The technology could also offer greater control over background blur.
There is still uncertainty over whether the variable-aperture camera will be available on both Pro models or remain exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Apple could also use a three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung, potentially improving camera responsiveness and low-light performance.
iPhone 18 Pro battery and display
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumoured to feature a 5,567mAh battery.
Combined with the more efficient 2nm A20 Pro chip and a possible LTPO+ display, the larger battery could deliver a noticeable improvement in battery life.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4
Apple is also expected to refresh its smartwatch lineup.
The Apple Watch Series 12 is not expected to receive major design changes, although a ceramic case option could return.
An upgraded processor could improve health and fitness tracking. Apple is also reportedly testing technology that could allow the heart-rate sensor to collect information continuously throughout the day.
The data could support new wellness features in the Health app.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is also expected to retain its existing rugged design while receiving a faster processor and other internal upgrades.
Apple's wireless earbuds could also feature in the September event.
References to AirPods 5 were reportedly discovered in a macOS 26.7 release candidate, raising expectations that the earbuds could debut alongside the new iPhones.
An updated H3 chip could improve sound quality and reduce latency.
The AirPods lineup is expected to retain both active-noise-cancellation and non-ANC versions.
Could Apple unveil a new home hub?
The iPhone and Apple Watch may not be the only hardware announcements.
Apple is reportedly developing a seven-inch smart home hub with a square display, camera and presence-detection sensors.
The device could control smart-home products, run applications, support video calls and play content.
Its experience is expected to be closely tied to Siri AI.
A refreshed Apple TV 4K could also appear at the event.
The device is expected to retain its existing design but receive a faster processor capable of supporting new Siri AI and gaming features. A new remote could also be introduced.
The HomePod mini could receive a processor upgrade as part of the refresh, although major design changes are not expected.
Is the standard iPhone 18 launching on September 9?
Interestingly, the regular iPhone 18 is not expected to be part of Apple's September launch.
Reports suggest Apple could move the standard iPhone 18 to spring 2027, alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2.
That would leave the September lineup focused on the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the first foldable iPhone.
The Apple Watch SE 4 is also reportedly not expected this year.
When could iPhone 18 preorders begin?
Apple traditionally opens iPhone preorders on the Friday following its September launch event.
However, September 11 falls on a Friday this year.
Because of the calendar, Apple could potentially open preorders on Saturday, September 12, following a pattern it used in 2015 when September 11 created a similar scheduling issue.
The new iPhones are expected to go on sale on September 18.