Apple's September 10 Event to Bring Foldable iPhone and New CEO Debut

According to Chinese tech outlet iFanr, Apple will not debut the full iPhone 18 series this month. Instead, the September event is said to focus on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, along with the long-rumored foldable iPhone. The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are reportedly pushed back to spring 2027, a significant change in Apple's release cadence.

The foldable iPhone is expected to be a book-style foldable with a 5.3- to 5.5-inch external display and a 7.8-inch inner screen. Unlike most current big-screen foldables, Apple's device is said to feature a wider, more landscape-oriented inner display, resembling an iPad turned sideways. The device, reportedly codenamed V68, may use an A20-series chip and 12GB of RAM, and could drop Face ID in favor of a side-mounted Touch ID to keep thickness low. It is expected to measure 4.5 to 4.8mm when unfolded and around 9mm when folded. Pricing is expected to exceed $2,000, with some estimates reaching $2,500.

The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to retain 6.3- and 6.9-inch displays and the general design of the current generation, but with internal upgrades. The A20 Pro chip is likely to be Apple's first mobile processor built on TSMC's 2nm process. The phones may also feature Apple's self-designed C2 modem, moving further away from Qualcomm. Camera improvements could include a variable-aperture main lens, a mechanical feature that adjusts light intake and depth of field. Both Pro models are expected to get 12GB of RAM, longer battery life, and new colors. Apple's invitation for the event features a star burst and blue background, which some observers see as a nod to the rumored aperture and color updates.

Apple is also expected to refresh other product lines. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, AirPods 5 could debut at the event, likely in two variants, one with active noise cancellation. Code in macOS 26.7 RC has reportedly surfaced two AirPods models. Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are also said to be nearing release, possibly appearing this fall. A long-rumored smart home hub with a display, sometimes called HomePad, may also make an appearance. Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are expected to launch with incremental upgrades, and the Series 12 may add a ceramic case option.

The event will be the first time Ternus has hosted an Apple fall keynote since becoming CEO, following Tim Cook's transition to chairman of the board. Apple has been using pre-recorded videos for its keynotes, but the invitation features an outdoor photo and the event is explicitly set at Steve Jobs Theater, leading to speculation that Apple might return to a live presentation for this milestone moment.

For users in China, the event may offer a timeline for the official launch of Apple Intelligence. In July, Chinese regulators completed the filing process for Apple's on-device generative AI services, clearing a key regulatory hurdle. Apple is unlikely to provide detailed announcements during the global keynote, but may give a launch window.

Given the high-end lineup, this year's event could mark the most expensive iPhone cycle ever, with the Pro models starting above $1,000 and the foldable at over $2,000. Apple is betting on the foldable to establish a new product category, even if it is not a volume driver.