iPhone 18 Pro and the first foldable iPhone presentation: what to expect on September 9 and whether it's worth upgrading

What Apple Confirmed

Apple has officially announced only the date, time, and location of the event, as well as sent out invitations with the Surprise and Shine teaser. The company did not specify particular models or specifications — everything known about future devices is based on data from supply chain sources and estimates from industry analysts, not on official statements.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

According to MacRumors, Apple is changing its usual launch schedule this year: on September 9, only the top-tier models will be presented, while the base iPhone 18 and the budget iPhone 18e will be delayed until spring 2027. Expected changes in the Pro lineup include:

— transition to the A20 Pro chip manufactured using a 2-nanometer process
— new C2 modem, smaller Dynamic Island notch thanks to under-display Face ID technology
— vari-focal main camera lens, available either only on the Pro Max or on both models, depending on the source
— a new body color: dark cherry.

The overall design will remain close to the iPhone 17 Pro — no radical change in form factor is planned.

A separate question is the price. Sources differ in their estimates: some publications, including AppleInsider, citing rising memory and processor costs, suggest that Pro models could see a price increase of $200 to $300 compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. Meanwhile, analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu, according to PhoneArena, believe that Apple has negotiated favorable terms with memory suppliers Samsung and SK Hynix and will maintain starting prices at the level of the iPhone 17 Pro — $1099 for the Pro and $1199 for the Pro Max. Neither scenario has received definitive confirmation so far.

Foldable iPhone: The Main Star of the Presentation

The main announcement of the event could be Apple's first foldable iPhone — unofficially, the device may be called the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold. According to Macworld and other sources, the specifications of the foldable smartphone are as follows:

— external screen: approximately 5.3 inches

— internal screen when unfolded: between 7.6 and 7.8 inches, depending on the source

— book-style form factor, roughly the size of a small iPad

— thickness when unfolded: approximately 4.5 millimeters

— according to some reports, a move away from Face ID in favor of Touch ID integrated into the side power button, due to body thickness requirements.

Sources estimate the price of the foldable iPhone to be in the range of $2000 to $2500 — making it the most expensive iPhone in the company's history. Some publications also suggest that pre-orders for the foldable model might start later than for the iPhone 18 Pro, due to limited initial production volume.

Other Devices

In addition to the iPhone, the presentation may feature:

— updated Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4
— eighth-generation iPad mini with an OLED display
— updated AirPods Pro.

Standard assumptions about the schedule: pre-orders on September 12, sales start on September 18 or 19. Along with the new devices, Apple will likely announce the release dates for iOS 27 and watchOS 27.

Is It Worth Upgrading?

— if you have an iPhone 17 Pro or newer model — the upgrade is expected to be moderate, with a new chip and modem but no change in form factor. It is mainly worth waiting for if you prioritize maximum performance right now

— if you are interested in the foldable format — this is Apple's first device of this type, and like any first-generation product, it is advisable to wait for independent reviews and data on the real reliability of the hinge mechanism

— if the budget is limited — according to all available data, Apple is not releasing a budget or mid-range model in September 2026; the available options, iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, are not expected until spring 2027.