Apple’s next major product event is getting closer, and attention is quickly turning toward the expected iPhone 18 Pro lineup and the company’s long-rumored first foldable iPhone.
Apple has officially scheduled its “Surprise and shine” event for September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. While the company has not publicly confirmed every product that will appear, the event is widely expected to focus heavily on the next generation of premium iPhones.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be two of the main devices at the event. Current expectations point toward improvements in performance, battery efficiency and cameras, while Apple may also make smaller changes to the design.
One of the biggest expected upgrades is Apple’s new A20 Pro processor. The chip is rumored to use a more advanced 2nm manufacturing process, which could help provide faster performance while using less power. Apple’s newer C2 modem is also expected to appear in the Pro lineup, potentially improving cellular connectivity and efficiency.
Camera improvements could also play an important role. The iPhone 18 Pro Max has been linked with a possible variable-aperture camera and improvements to zoom photography. Apple could also reduce the size of the Dynamic Island, giving users slightly more usable display space.
However, the product attracting the most attention may not be a traditional iPhone at all.
Apple is widely expected to introduce its first foldable smartphone, currently being referred to as the iPhone Ultra. If it appears at the September event, it would mark one of the biggest changes to the physical design of the iPhone since the introduction of the iPhone X.
The foldable model is expected to use a book-style design with a smaller display on the outside and a much larger screen when opened. Rumors have pointed toward an external display of around 5.5 inches and an internal foldable screen of around 7.8 inches.
Apple is also believed to have focused heavily on making the folding screen crease less noticeable. The hinge and display technology could therefore become some of the most important parts of the device, especially as Apple enters a foldable smartphone market where Samsung and several other manufacturers already have years of experience.
The iPhone Ultra could share the A20 Pro processor with the iPhone 18 Pro series. Other rumored features include multiple cameras, a very thin design when unfolded and Touch ID built into the side button instead of Face ID. None of these specifications should be considered final until Apple officially announces the device.
Price could be another major talking point. Current expectations place the foldable iPhone well above Apple’s normal Pro models, potentially making it the most expensive iPhone the company has ever released. Availability could also be limited at first if demand is high or production remains restricted.
The September 9 event could therefore represent more than a normal yearly iPhone refresh. The iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to continue improving Apple’s familiar premium smartphone design, while the foldable iPhone Ultra could introduce an entirely new product category for the company.
With only days remaining before the event, interest is likely to keep growing. The biggest questions now are whether Apple’s first foldable iPhone can offer something noticeably different from existing foldable phones, how much it will cost, and whether Apple can turn the new form factor into its next major iPhone upgrade cycle.
