At today’s Surprise and Shine event, Apple announced a lot of dates. Most of the new hardware arrives on September 18, but the brand new iPhone Duo won’t launch until October. Before then, Apple’s next round of major OS updates arrives on September 14.
Here’s a rundown of the preorder, release, and rollout dates. Later today on MacStories, John and I will be sharing detailed overviews of all the major announcements from today, and you can expect our annual OS reviews to be published – as always – next week.
As a bonus, check out the calendar widget we’ve prepared to visualize all of Apple’s release notes. Stay tuned for more of these on MacStories today: we’re going to have some fun with our coverage this year.
Release DatesEverything Apple announced today.
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Sep 7 Sep 8 Sep 9EventApple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4AirPods 5
Sep 10 Sep 11 Sep 12iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
Sep 13 Sep 14iOS and iPadOS 27macOS Golden GatewatchOS 27tvOS 27visionOS 27Siri AI beta, English
Sep 15 Sep 16 Sep 17 Sep 18iPhone 18 Pro and Pro MaxApple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4AirPods 5
Sep 19 Sep 20 Sep 21 Sep 22 Sep 23 Sep 24 Sep 25iPhone 18 Pro in 20 more countries
Sep 26 Sep 27 2 weeks with no dates Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct 15 Oct 16iPhone Duo
Oct 17 Oct 18 Oct 19 Oct 20 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 23iPhone Duo
Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30iPhone Duo in 28 more countries
Oct 31 Nov 1 Pre-ordersSoftwareIn storesFrom Apple’s September 9, 2026 press releases. Pre-orders open at 5:00 a.m. Pacific. Siri AI adds French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish in October, day not announced yet.iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Pre-Orders: Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. Pacific / 8:00 a.m. Eastern
In Stores and Deliveries: Friday, September 18, 2026
According to Apple’s announcement, the initial launch covers more than 65 countries and regions. Availability expands to 20 additional countries and regions on Friday, September 25.
iPhone Duo
Pre-Orders: Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. Pacific / 8:00 a.m. Eastern
In Stores and Deliveries: Friday, October 23, 2026
iPhone Duo launches in more than 70 countries and regions, with 28 additional countries and regions following on Friday, October 30. It ships with iOS 27.1. Apple’s iPhone Duo Case and iPhone Duo Folio with Kickstand will be available to order on October 16, too.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4
Pre-Orders: Today, Wednesday, September 9, 2026
In Stores and Deliveries: Friday, September 18, 2026
Both Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 follow the same schedule. The new Apple Watch bands are also available to order today and arrive in stores on September 18.
AirPods 5
Pre-Orders: Today, Wednesday, September 9, 2026
In Stores: Friday, September 18, 2026
The dates apply to both AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, launching in the U.S. and more than 65 other countries and regions.
iOS and iPadOS 27
Release Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
watchOS 27
Release Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
macOS Golden Gate
Release Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
tvOS 27
Release Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
visionOS 27
Release Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Siri AI
Initial Beta Rollout: Monday, September 14, 2026, in English on supported devices with iOS 27 and watchOS 27
Additional Languages: French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish in October; Apple has not announced a specific day yet.
We have also prepared a widget that helps you visualize the availability of different features in multiple regions, based on what Apple revealed today (mostly in small print in footnotes of their press releases).
Feature AvailabilityFrom the footnotes in Apple’s September 9, 2026 announcements.
U.S.US EUEU ChinaCN ElsewhereOther Siri AI on iPhone, iPad, and Apple WatchBeta with iOS 27 on September 14, English only. French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish in October. Not for users under 13.
Siri AI on Mac and Vision ProSame beta and languages. The EU exclusion names only iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS.
Apple Reference Image captureOn iPhone 18 Pro. Not in the EU at launch, and not in China for regulatory reasons.
Apple Reference Image viewingWith iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 27, including in the EU.
iPhone HandoffTwo iPhones on one number. At launch only with T-Mobile in the U.S. and Telekom in Germany.
Live Rewind on Apple WatchBeta late in 2026, English first. Needs an Apple Intelligence iPhone 16 or later, not the 16e.
Lab tests in the Health appLater in 2026, U.S. English first. About 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations, over 50 biomarkers, $119.
Workout BuddyEnglish or Spanish. Needs a paired Apple Intelligence iPhone and Bluetooth headphones.
availablewith limitsnot availablenot stated“Elsewhere” is every other country Apple sells in; language rules still apply there. Apple Intelligence itself supports 16 languages with the September 14 updates.You can follow all of our September 2026 Apple event coverage through our September 2026 Apple Event hub or subscribe to the dedicated September 2026 Apple event RSS feed.