Macworld

Over the past several years, Apple’s fall launches have generally been seen as lackluster. Each September, the company tends to put out refreshed iPhone and Apple Watch models with just a couple of tweaks here and there. And that’s understandable, as the classic smartphone and smartwatch formulas have matured, and there’s little left to develop on an annual cycle. That won’t be the case this year, however.

Rather than merely rehashing last year’s iPhones and Apple Watches, Apple is set to announce a truly inspiring range of products on September 9—including first-generation editions of never-before-seen technology. While the event will undoubtedly still feature some iterative upgrades, a flurry of bigger announcements will give this year’s show an excitement that we haven’t had in years.

The Ultra iPhone unfolds

The fall launch’s most significant announcement will likely be the highly anticipated iPhone Ultra. The rumored foldable will reportedly resemble an iPhone/iPad mini hybrid, unlocking basic multitasking features unavailable on current iPhone models. Thanks to its book-style design, the iPhone Ultra will be iPhone-like in its folded form, while unfolding it will turn it into more of an iPad.

Given its ist-gen status, many customers may be wary of investing in an iPhone Ultra. After all, the first Samsung Galaxy Fold infamously suffered from crease issues and wasn’t as durable as consumers would expect a flagship device to be. Hopefully that won’t be the case with the iPhone Ultra.

The iPhone Ultra is exoected to have similar dimensions to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Luke Baker

Samsung’s first folding phone launched seven years ago. During this period, Apple has been prototyping foldables internally to master the formula. It may not have released any folding iPhones to the public, but it sure has been experimenting with different concepts and materials all along. Reports indicate that eliminating the crease is a top priority at Apple, and the company’s rigorous testing will ensure that the iPhone Ultra’s quality will meet its high standards.

The price is another story, however. We expect the iPhone Ultra to start at more than $2,000, and the current RAM crisis could push prices closer to $2,500. That might be too much for most people to swallow.

Next-gen Watch power

The past few Apple Watch annual upgrades have been some of the most iterative. The fundamental design has largely remained unchanged other than small tweaks, while the chip tends to get a boost only every three years. But this year, the Apple Watch Series 12 will likely pack the faster S12 chip, which could unlock exclusive watchOS features for years to come.

The upcoming watchOS 27 infamously cuts off all smartwatch models older than three years due to the increasing demands of Siri AI. The S12 chip will future-proof the Series 12 and potentially unlock exclusive features in OS 27 and beyond. It may seem like an unexciting performance boost from afar, but its actual impact will likely be meaningful. 

The Apple Watch Series 12 will likely have a faster processor for better AI processing.

Foundry

A truly Pro camera

While iPhones have become the go-to digital cameras for most Apple users, they still struggle to completely replace DSLR and mirrorless cameras popular among professional photographers. No matter how much iPhones improve, the limited space and the sensor’s small size restrict the output’s quality. According to some credible rumors, at least one iPhone 18 Pro model will help bridge that gap. 

Reports claim that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will introduce a variable aperture lens. This will allow users to physically control the lens’ opening to match the environment and lighting. In dim places, for example, users can open the lens wide to allow more light in and produce clearer shots. Conversely, they can narrow it down in bright settings to prevent overexposure.

Beyond adapting to the lighting conditions, a variable aperture can provide support for true optical depth control. While Portrait mode already allows you to artificially tweak the depth, the results don’t always appear natural. So, whether you’re shooting regularly or in Portrait mode, the variable aperture lens will help produce superior results, elevating iPhone photography further.

Apple’s smart home ambitions could begin to take shape at the Surprise and Shine event.

Foundry

Smarter homes

For years, Apple’s smart home efforts have revolved around two main product lines: HomePod and Apple TV 4K. While the two devices offer convenient ecosystem integrations for iPhone users, they’re not as smart as other smart speakers and set-top boxes. However, with Siri AI finally on track to launch next month, things are about to change.

Apple is reportedly ready to release more capable versions of the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K, letting users utilize its overhauled AI chatbot directly on those devices. More importantly, Apple could use the “Surprise and Shine” event to announce its long-rumored HomePad, a smart home hub that might borrow features from iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS. This would potentially allow users to conveniently control their HomeKit accessories, FaceTime their contacts, glance at relevant data, and do more using its touchscreen.

With OS 27 introducing new camera-related HomeKit features, reports also suggest that Apple may soon reveal its own security camera. Such a product could become the go-to option for privacy-conscious customers who don’t necessarily trust third-party manufacturers with live video feeds of their intimate spaces.

Will new AirPods pop up at Apple’s fall iPhone event? 

Foundry

Surprise AirPods

While a recent leak revealed the existence of AirPods Pro with cameras to leverage Apple’s new AI features, they’re not expected to arrive until 2027. We’re still holding out hope, but even if they don’t show up, that doesn’t mean AirPods won’t make some noise at Apple’s iPhone event.

A recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that AirPods 5 could arrive at the September show. We don’t know much about them, and since they already have an H2 chip, a bigger update could be in store. We’ve heard reports for years about a new design or a cheaper budget model, so perhaps Apple has a real surprise for us this time. 

Unreleased OS 27 features

Speaking of surprises, it goes without saying that all of these unannounced hardware products will boast some software perks that Apple didn’t disclose during WWDC26. The iPhone Ultra, for example, will reveal iOS 27’s all-new multitasking system. Meanwhile, the firm will unveil watchOS 27’s new watch face during the keynote’s Apple Watch Series 12 segment, possibly along with a fresh health or fitness feature. We could also see Camera app tweaks when Apple previews the iPhone 18 Pro. 

After a summer of beta testing, the Release Candidate versions of Apple’s annual operating systems pretty much always pack a few surprises aimed at the newest devices—and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for us.