On Wednesday, September 9, Apple will be holding their “Surprise and Shine” event. This event is led by Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, and will be his first major announcement. As always, the buzz around the new product details and release dates is loud and exciting. Here are some things you can expect to hear.
Details on the new iPhone release dates
Although folks have been pretty confident about the iPhone 18 Pro and other high-end models releasing this Fall, there has been discourse about whether or not the base models of the iPhone 18 will be released at the same time. Apple may be releasing base models of the iPhone 18 later than usual, rumored to be sometime in the Spring of 2027. The upcoming event is expected to settle these rumors.
A brand new type of iPhone
Apple’s new foldable iPhone Ultra is the talk of the town, and many are predicting that it will be revealed during this event. This phone is the first of its kind. Apple has never produced a foldable iPhone, and Apple enthusiasts are champing at the bit to see what it entails.
So far, the phone is rumored to cost around $2,000. This phone will fold and unfold like a book, displaying a larger touchscreen similar to the Samsung Z Fold 8.
The iPhone 18
This year Apple has focused on what users care about most: battery life, performance, design, and cameras. Here are some predictions on the specs:
The battery life and performance are pretty intertwined. Although there is rumored to be a slightly larger battery, the biggest boost in battery longevity will be due to the new A20 Pro chip. The reduced size of this new chip helps increase the battery life and lower the level of heat that is produced in the phone. The processing power will be exponentially increased to enable great performance. This will compliment the new iOS 27, which is carrying more AI capabilities.
The design will likely feature smoother transitions between the aluminum and the glass, potentially new colors, and a smaller Dynamic Island cutout the black, pill-shaped piece on the top of your iPhone screen).
Lastly, the camera is said to hold even more enhancements, one of which is said to be better Telephoto performance, which will be helpful for low-light photos, etc.
An updated Smart Home
Apple TV and the HomePod are likely going to be receiving updates in order to integrate with the enhanced AI capabilities that Siri will be getting. The HomePod mini will have a faster chip in the new units, and there is some evidence to suggest that a new generation of full-sized HomePods will be released late 2026.
The latest Apple Watches
The Apple Watch Series 12 and the Apple Watch Ultra 4 are launching next week with potentially some of the highest tech we’ve seen in smart watches.
The Apple Watch Series 12 is said to have an option for folks to purchase a ceramic case with it. It will also hold new health features such as a constant heart-rate sensor and data collection throughout the day even when you’re inactive. It will also likely have an upgraded chip that enables faster performance among other enhancements.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 will have similar updates, with highly enhanced health tracking – potentially even for monitoring blood pressure. It will likely have high processing power and potentially new design availability.
New Airpods
The Airpods 5 model is rumored to be announced and might include an upgraded chip to enable lower latency in sound and higher quality overall.
More
There is a lot of potential during Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event. With a new CEO being handed the reins only a week before, there are sure to be some unique features during this livestream. The tech community is certainly anxious to see what is to come.