Apple’s biggest hardware event of 2026 is almost here. The company has officially scheduled its ‘Surprise and shine’ Apple Event for September 9, and expectations are unusually high — not only because new Pro iPhones are expected, but because Apple could finally enter the foldable phone market.
There is an important distinction before we get into the products: Apple has confirmed the event, but it has not confirmed the devices below. Until Apple announces them on stage, the iPhone 18 Pro, a possible foldable iPhone and other hardware remain expectations based on current reporting and leaks.
When is the September Apple Event in Australia?
Apple’s Australian events page confirms the presentation begins at 3:00 a.m. AEST on Thursday, September 10 for Australian viewers. Apple will stream the event through its website and the Apple TV app.
Apple calls this year’s event ‘Surprise and shine.’ The company has not explained the meaning of the tagline, leaving plenty of room for speculation about what the ‘surprise’ might be.
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
The safest hardware prediction is Apple’s next generation of Pro iPhones. Current reporting points to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max taking centre stage.
Reports suggest Apple will retain the broad design introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro while making changes underneath. Rumoured upgrades include a next-generation A20 Pro processor built using a 2-nanometre process, a smaller Dynamic Island, improvements to battery efficiency and camera upgrades that could include variable aperture technology.
None of those specifications should be treated as confirmed until Apple announces them. But the bigger question for buyers may be price. With component costs under pressure across the technology industry, Australian pricing will be one of the first details we will be watching during the event.
Could Apple finally launch a foldable iPhone?
This could be the announcement that defines the event.
Apple is widely expected to reveal its first foldable iPhone, potentially positioned above the iPhone Pro line. Some reports have referred to it as the iPhone Ultra, although Apple has not confirmed that name.
Current reports describe a book-style device that opens into a larger, tablet-like display. Such a product would put Apple directly into a premium foldable market where Samsung and other Android manufacturers already have years of experience.
The most interesting part may not be the hardware itself. A foldable iPhone would require Apple to rethink how iOS behaves across different screen sizes. Multitasking, side-by-side apps and interfaces that adapt between the outer and inner displays could ultimately be as important as the hinge or screen technology.
Price will also matter. Reports have consistently suggested Apple’s first foldable could sit well above conventional flagship iPhones, potentially making it one of the company’s most expensive mainstream mobile devices.
What about the regular iPhone 18?
Here is where 2026 could become particularly unusual.
Multiple reports suggest Apple may not launch the standard iPhone 18 at the September event. Instead, Apple is reportedly moving toward a split release schedule, with premium Pro and foldable models launching in the second half of the year and the regular iPhone 18 potentially arriving in 2027 alongside other lower-priced models.
If that happens, it would represent a significant change to Apple’s familiar annual iPhone launch cycle. We will be watching closely to see whether Apple addresses the broader iPhone lineup during the presentation.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4
New Apple Watches are also expected. Reports point to an Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, with improvements likely to focus on performance, battery life, connectivity, fitness and health features rather than a complete redesign.
As always with health-related rumours, it is worth waiting for Apple’s announcement before assuming any new sensor or health capability will ship — or that it will be available in Australia at launch.
AirPods 5 could also appear
Apple could use the event to refresh its standard AirPods lineup. Reports suggest two AirPods 5 variants may be planned, potentially including versions with and without active noise cancellation.
AirPods are a natural companion announcement for a new iPhone launch, but this is another product we will treat as unconfirmed until Apple makes it official.
What probably won’t be announced
Apple has several other products reportedly in development, but September is traditionally focused on iPhone, Apple Watch and related accessories. New Macs, including future MacBook Pro and iMac updates, are considered more likely to arrive separately later.
Other products such as an updated iPad mini, Apple TV, HomePod mini and Apple’s rumoured smart-home hub could arrive later in the year rather than competing for attention at the September presentation.
What Australian buyers should watch for
For Australian readers, the product announcement is only half the story. We will be watching four details particularly closely: Australian pricing, preorder dates, release dates and which features are actually available in Australia at launch.
Those details can make the difference between an exciting global announcement and a product that makes sense to buy locally.
What happens next
The Tech Boom will cover Apple’s announcements as they happen. Rather than putting every announcement into one enormous recap, we plan to break out the most important products, Australian prices and release information into individual stories so readers can quickly find what matters to them.
For now, the only certainty is the event itself: September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, or 3:00 a.m. AEST on September 10 in Australia. Everything else becomes official when Apple takes the stage.
