Apple's biggest event of the year is just days away. On September 9, new CEO John Ternus will take the stage in what he recently teased as a “huge launch.” While the company has kept its typical veil of secrecy, a steady stream of leaks and supply-chain reports have painted an unusually clear picture of what we can expect. From the first-ever foldable iPhone to the next generation of wearables and earbuds, Apple is preparing to announce at least six major new products in a single presentation.
This event marks a pivotal moment for Apple, as it is Ternus’s first major product launch since succeeding Tim Cook. The pressure is high, and the lineup reflects Apple’s ambition to push innovation across its core categories while boosting services revenue. With iPhone sales still the company’s primary engine, the introduction of a foldable model could open up a new premium tier. Meanwhile, health-tracking enhancements in the Apple Watch and AirPods continue to strengthen Apple’s position in the wearables market, a segment that has seen explosive growth over the past decade.
Here is a detailed look at the six major products expected to make their debut next week, along with some wildcard possibilities and what they mean for consumers.
iPhone lineup: Three new models, including a foldable
Apple is expected to announce three new flagship iPhones: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the highly anticipated iPhone Ultra, which will be Apple’s first foldable handset. The iPhone 18 Pro will reportedly feature the new A20 Pro chip, delivering a significant boost in performance and efficiency. Camera upgrades are also on the agenda, with improved sensors and computational photography capabilities that should make low-light shots noticeably better. The device is said to come in new colors and sport a smaller Dynamic Island, likely achieved through more advanced under-display technology.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will focus on battery endurance. Apple has been working to make its larger flagship more efficient, and this model is expected to deliver the best battery life of any iPhone to date. Combining the A20 Pro’s efficiency with a larger battery cell, the Pro Max should easily last two full days on a single charge for most users. This is critical for professionals who rely on their phones throughout extensive workdays and for travelers who need reliable performance away from a charger.
The most exciting addition to the lineup is the iPhone Ultra, Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone. For years, Apple has been rumored to explore foldable form factors, but supply-chain constraints and durability concerns delayed its entry into the market. The iPhone Ultra is said to feature a 7.6-inch internal display when unfolded, offering a tablet-like canvas while remaining compact enough to fit comfortably in a pocket. It will likely run current iOS apps seamlessly in a dual-pane layout, with multitasking capabilities designed to take advantage of the larger screen. The device is expected to be priced at a premium, with some reports suggesting a starting price above $1,599. This will put it in direct competition with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and Pixel Fold from Google, for those who have already embraced the foldable trend. However, early signs suggest Apple’s version may have a smaller crease and better durability thanks to a next-generation hinge design.
Apple Watch: Ultra 4 and Series 12 expand health capabilities
Apple Watch has been a staple of the September event for years, and this year is no different. Two new models are expected: the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and the Apple Watch Series 12. Both will feature upgraded chips for faster performance and improved power efficiency, but Apple is also focusing heavily on new health sensors.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is positioned for extreme outdoor athletes and explorers. It adds new health sensors that could include blood-pressure monitoring and advanced temperature sensing. While Apple has not officially confirmed these capabilities, regulatory filings and code references in recent betas suggest that blood-pressure tracking is on the way. The Ultra 4 may also receive design updates that make it more comfortable for long-term wear and over existing Ultra bands. With better battery life and improved GPS accuracy, the Ultra 4 is set to remain the go-to choice for serious runners, hikers, and divers.
The standard Apple Watch Series 12, meanwhile, will target the broader market. It is expected to include an upgraded S-class chip, bringing faster processing and better machine learning performance. A new always-on heart monitor could detect irregular rhythms even more reliably and may alert users to conditions such as atrial fibrillation earlier. This feature would further cement the Apple Watch as a life-saving health device, building on the existing ECG and fall-detection capabilities. Another interesting rumor is a ceramic option, which was previously available in the Series 5 and 6 but later discontinued. A premium ceramic shell would give the watch a more luxurious feel and offer greater scratch resistance than standard aluminum or stainless steel.
AirPods 5: Subtle refinements, but cameras wait until 2027
AirPods are next in line for an update, with AirPods 5 expected to launch during next week’s event. This sixth major product will likely be available in two variants: a base model and a more premium version with active noise cancellation. Both could see a new chip that improves audio quality, reduces latency with Apple devices, and enhances battery life. Some users hope for a redesign that moves away from the iconic stem, but leaks point to a familiar silhouette with refinements under the hood.
Recent speculation suggested that Apple might bring AirPods with integrated cameras to the September event. That product, however, is not ready for primetime. According to well-connected analyst Mark Gurman, the camera-equipped AirPods are not due until 2027. The cameras would be used for spatial awareness and perhaps adaptive audio, not for taking photos, but separating usable sound from noise in everyday environments is an enormously complex challenge. Given that, AirPods 5 will stick to more modest upgrades, including better voice isolation during phone calls and possibly a health-sensing feature that tracks body temperature from the ear canal.
Wildcard: Apple Home products could join the lineup
While iPhones, Apple Watch, and AirPods are almost assured, rumors indicate that several Home products might make surprise appearances at the event. Chief among these is the long-awaited home hub with a display, possibly branded as the HomePad or HomePod Touch. This device would feature a 7-inch touchscreen and serve as a central point for controlling smart-home accessories, making FaceTime calls, and interacting with Siri. It could also double as a security camera viewfinder when paired with Apple’s home cameras.
Additionally, a HomePod mini 2 is in the works, according to leaks. It would include a new chip, improved audio drivers, and better Siri capabilities powered by on-device AI. Siri AI should allow more natural conversations, improved contextual understanding, and proactive suggestions based on the user’s daily routine. A new Apple TV 4K, possibly with a more powerful chip that supports stronger graphics for gaming and a high refresh rate for smooth scrolling, is also plausible. Updating the Siri Remote with a more intuitive layout and perhaps adding a Find My feature would be a welcome quality-of-life improvement.
These Home products represent Apple’s push into the smart home market, an area where it has historically lagged behind Amazon and Google. By integrating hardware, software, and services into a cohesive ecosystem, Apple aims to create a seamless experience for users who want to automate their living spaces. If the HomePad launches next week, it could signal a renewed commitment to this sector and unlock deeper integrations with Apple’s own apps and third-party accessories.
More Apple products that could launch, but likely won’t until October
Although the September 9 event is expected to focus primarily on iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, and possibly Home products, there are several other devices in the pipeline that may make brief appearances or be reserved for an October event. Apple tends to hold a separate Mac and iPad event in the fall, usually in October, so don’t be surprised if some products are teased with a “coming later.”
The MacBook Ultra, which would be a high-end portable aimed at professionals, is one such product. It could feature a redesigned chassis with a larger display, an M6 chip with even more CPU and GPU cores, and improved thermal management for sustained performance. The M6 MacBook Pro and M6 iMac are also rumored, but those launches are more likely to occur in October alongside the release of the next macOS version. An OLED iPad mini has been in the rumor mill for a while, and it would be a welcome addition for those seeking a premium compact tablet. However, given that the iPad Pro was updated earlier in 2026, an iPad mini refresh might slip to spring 2027 instead.
In the smart home category, a new full-size HomePod could be announced at a later date. The existing HomePod lacks the versatility of the rumored HomePad and is limited in its market appeal. Apple might hold out until it can deliver a completely integrated hub that also functions as a speaker, rather than launching an incremental upgrade.
Based on the latest reporting, the safest bets for next week are new iPhones, Apple Watch models, AirPods 5, and potentially a few Home products. That would already make for a jam-packed keynote. The other devices may not be far behind, though, so fans of Mac and iPad should pay close attention to Apple’s announcements over the next month.
What are you most looking forward to seeing from Apple next week? Whether you plan to upgrade to the foldable iPhone Ultra, are curious about the health sensors in the new watches, or simply want the improved AirPods 5, there is clearly a lot on the horizon.
Source:9to5Mac News