Apple is gearing up to host its ‘surprise and shine’ event later this week, where it could launch its most exciting new products in years.
At the event this Wednesday, the tech giant is widely expected to reveal the iPhone Ultra, its first–ever foldable device.
With rival firms like Samsung and Google having already released multiple generations of foldable devices, Apple will be under pressure to ensure its delayed offering is worth the wait.
But the iPhone Ultra won’t be the only new device delighting tech fans, as we expect to see the launch of the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Industry experts also predict the arrival of updated Apple Watches, an improved HomePod Mini, and an exciting new generation of AirPods.
However, don’t get your hopes up for any affordable tech, since Apple will likely delay the entry–level non–Pro iPhone 18 until next year.
Meanwhile, all of this is made more exciting by the fact that the event is the first launch for new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook just a week ago.
So, here’s everything you can expect to see from the ‘surprise and shine’ event and how you can follow along live at home.
Apple’s launch event will kick off on September 9 at 10:00 local time (18:00 BST) at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, the company’s Cupertino headquarters
How to watch Apple’s ‘surprise and shine’ event
Apple’s event will kick off on September 9 at 10:00 local time (18:00 BST) at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, the company’s Cupertino headquarters.
Press and a few selected individuals will attend the event in person, having received invitations late last month.
For everyone else, the event will be available to watch on the Apple Events page, the company’s YouTube channel, or follow along with the Daily Mail’s live coverage.
And, for tech fans everywhere, this is one event you won’t want to miss.
Apple expert Paolo Pescatore, founder of PP Foresight, told the Daily Mail: ‘Apple events typically do not disappoint, and expectations will be sky–high this time around.’
The foldable iPhone Ultra
The most exciting reveal of the day is expected to be the long–awaited foldable, likely to be named the iPhone Ultra.
At the ‘surprise and shine’ event this week, Apple is expected to launch its first foldable device. This comes after a leaker revealed what he claimed to be the design for the new smartphone (pictured)
This will be Apple’s first major deviation from the classic design established by the first iPhone almost 20 years ago.
Coming so late to the foldable market compared to their rivals, Apple will need to deliver a big win and some seriously impressive features to stand out.
Apple experts suggest that the foldable will have a similar form factor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, with a 5.3–inch outer display and a larger 7.7–inch inner screen.
That means the inner screen is wider than it is tall when unfolded, giving the iPhone Ultra a similar aspect ratio to Apple’s biggest iPads.
According to Bloomberg’s Apple correspondent Mark Gurman, the iPhone Ultra will miss out on a telephoto camera lens found on most premium smartphones.
That disappointment might be softened by the rumour that Apple has developed a rival–beating, nearly creaseless folding display with improved durability.
Based on leaks from generally reliable sources, the iPhone Ultra is expected to launch in just two colours: black and white.
However, this is expected to be an ‘ultra–premium’ product with a price tag to match, with launch prices expected to top $2,000 (£1,470).
With just one week to go before Apple’s 2026 event, a leaker has revealed what he claims is the design for the iPhone 18 Ultra
Rebecca Crook, CEO of MSQDX, told the Daily Mail: ‘Apple’s September 9 event will be its most significant in years and not just for the expected debut of its first foldable iPhone, the biggest change to its smartphone lineup to date, but because it marks the first time in over a decade that Tim Cook won’t be the one introducing Apple’s new products.’
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max won’t be as big of a departure from Apple’s standard smartphone formula as the iPhone Ultra, but they could bring a few key upgrades.
Most excitingly, leaks suggest that these premium models will feature a new under–display Face ID sensor.
That could mean Apple will finally get rid of the unsightly black oval that has been at the top of iPhone screens since 2022 and is much hated by tech fans.
Meanwhile, Mr Gurman suggests that these phones will feature ‘the biggest leap in camera hardware’ in recent years.
The flagship feature is expected to be a variable aperture telephoto camera, allowing users to mechanically control how much light enters the lens.
This is a feature normally found on large specialist cameras, and would allow for significantly better photos in very dark or bright conditions.
Apple will also launch the sequel to the iPhone 17 Pro Max (pictured), unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
On the inside, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will likely come with upgraded hardware including chips that can handle more powerful AI processes.
Ben Wood, chief marketing officer at CCS Insight, told the Daily Mail: ‘Expect to see Apple heavily promoting its Apple Intelligence, Siri AI capabilities, and other software enhancements.
‘However, it is the hardware that will grab the headlines.’
AirPods 5
Apple is widely expected to use the ‘surprise and shine’ event to launch new AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with ANC.
However, the bad news is that this upgrade might not be as spectacular as earlier rumours suggested.
Last month, a developer version of Mac computer software accidentally leaked a video of an unreleased AirPods product that included cameras.
These AirPods used Visual Intelligence, an Apple feature that uses cameras to analyse the real world, to give context for Siri and other AI tools.
Apple is expected to launch the AirPods 5 as an upgrade to the AirPods 4 (pictured), but these won’t include cameras, as some earlier leaks suggested
The news immediately split fans, with some praising the innovative tech and others expressing privacy concerns, even going so far as to dub the headphones ‘PervertPods’.
However, Mark Gurman poured cold water on the speculation by revealing that these camera–enabled headphones wouldn’t be launching until at least 2027.
That means this week’s headphone launch will likely be a smaller upgrade to 2024’s AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.
Expect to see better sound quality, battery life and potentially some new health features, but no groundbreaking changes.
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4
The event is also expected to see the launch of the next generation of Apple Watches, but don’t expect any groundbreaking upgrades.
The Apple Watch Series 12 will include the usual upgrades of a better chip, better battery life and more efficient use of energy to go even longer between charges.
The biggest change is expected to be the return of the premium ceramic case option, in addition to new band and colour configurations.
The launch event is expected to see the release of the next–generation Apple Watches, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12. Pictured: Apple Watch Ultra 3
With an upgrade to Siri and Apple Intelligence expected soon, a new HomePod Mini 2 could be released to make the most of these new capabilities
The Apple Watch Ultra 4, meanwhile, is rumoured to pack a serious upgrade to its sensors that will make health data more accurate and reduce battery drain.
Rumours also suggest that there is a blood pressure alert feature on the way, but not the long–expected blood sugar monitor feature Apple is reportedly developing.
HomePod Mini 2
With Apple expected to focus extensively on new AI features and a new AI–enhanced Siri on the horizon, experts expect an overhaul to the company’s home tech.
It’s been six years since Apple launched the last version of its compact smart speaker, so the timing couldn’t be better for an update.
A new HomePod with a chipset capable of handling AI tasks could be a far more useful and versatile home assistant than the existing model.
According to MacRumors, the newly released macOS 26.7 beta software includes codenames referencing a number of unreleased products, including the codename ‘B525’.
Since the current HomePod Mini has the code ‘B520’, this could imply a second–generation sequel is on the way.
The trillion-dollar rise of Apple
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1, 1976, as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh in California on February 6, 1984
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
Steve Jobs, then-chief executive officer of Apple, with the iPhone
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California, with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
Jobs at an Apple event at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its brick-and-mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
2021: In an online virtual event in April, CEO Tim Cook declares Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year, the iPhone 13 was announced.
2022: In September, the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash, as well as an improved camera system.
2023: Apple brings back its ‘Home Pod’ after the first generation was discontinued. The ‘Home Pod’ can be seen as an alternative to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, as it is powered by voice commands.
2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once, with many delayed until the following year.
2026: Apple announces a leadership shakeup. After 15 years leading the company, Tim Cook steps aside from his position as CEO to become executive chairman. John Ternus, 51, Apple’s widely respected hardware chief, will take over as CEO on September 1.
