Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event is taking place today, September 9, with the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the company’s first foldable iPhone expected to be the main highlights. The foldable is widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra. Apple is also expected to announce new Apple Watch and AirPods models, along with possible smart-home products. The event is particularly significant because it is expected to be the first major Apple keynote hosted by new CEO John Ternus. The event will begin at 10.30 pm IST and will be streamed online.
Apple iPhone 18 launch event: How to watch live
Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event will be held at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.The keynote will begin at:
- 10 am PT
- 10.30 pm IST
- September 9, 2026
Viewers in India can watch the Apple event live through the company’s official website, the Apple TV app and Apple’s official YouTube channel. As mentioned above, the event is expected to focus on the new iPhone models, but Apple could also use the keynote to announce new watches, AirPods and other products.
iPhone Ultra: Apple’s first foldable iPhone
The biggest expected announcement is Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which reports suggest could be called the iPhone Ultra. The device is reportedly expected to use a book-style folding design, with a large screen opening from the middle. The inner display is expected to measure around 7.8 inches, while the outer display could be between 5.4 and 5.5 inches. The foldable is also reportedly expected to use a titanium frame and measure around 4.5mm when open and about 9mm when folded.Reports suggest the foldable could use Touch ID instead of Face ID, with the fingerprint sensor built into the power button. The device is also reportedly expected to have two 48MP rear cameras and no dedicated telephoto camera.Apple is said to have focused heavily on reducing the visible crease. A liquid metal hinge, ultra-thin glass and other structural changes are reportedly being considered to keep the crease as small as possible.Expected iPhone Ultra specifcations
| Feature | Reported specification |
|---|---|
| Inner display | 7.8-inch OLED |
| Cover display | 5.4-5.5-inch OLED |
| Processor | A20 Pro, 2nm |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB to 2TB |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main + 48MP ultra-wide |
| Telephoto camera | Not expected |
| Front cameras | One on each display |
| Security | Touch ID on power button |
| Battery | Around 4,900mAh to 5,800mAh |
| Connectivity | Apple C2 modem, MagSafe |
| Build | Titanium frame |
| Thickness | Around 4.5mm open, 9mm closed |
| Software | iOS 27 |
| Expected price | $1,999-$2,299 |
| Higher configuration | Up to $2,699 |
iPhone 18 Pro reportedly to get A20 Pro and new camera
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain a 6.3-inch display, but several internal changes are reportedly planned. The phone is expected to use Apple’s A20 Pro chip, which is reportedly based on a 2nm process. The chip is tipped to deliver higher performance and better power efficiency than the A19 Pro.The biggest reported camera change could be a variable-aperture main camera. This would allow the camera to adjust the amount of light entering the lens depending on the conditions. The iPhone 18 Pro is also reportedly expected to get a revised Camera Control button.The Dynamic Island is also reportedly expected to become smaller. Some reports suggest a reduction of around 35%, although this remains unconfirmed.Expected iPhone 18 Pro features
| Feature | Reported specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch LTPO+ OLED |
| Processor | A20 Pro, 2nm |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Main camera | 48MP variable aperture |
| Ultra-wide | 48MP |
| Telephoto | 48MP |
| Camera Control | Revised |
| Battery | Around 4,288mAh |
| Connectivity | Apple C2 modem, satellite 5G |
| Build | Anodised aluminium |
| Thickness | Around 8.8-9mm |
| Colours | Dark Cherry, light blue, silver, dark grey |
| Expected price | $1,299-$1,399 |
iPhone 18 Pro Max may get bigger battery
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to remain the largest phone in the lineup, with a reported 6.9-inch LTPO+ OLED display. The biggest reported upgrade could be its battery. Reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a 5,567mAh battery, compared with about 5,088mAh in the previous model.The variable-aperture camera could reportedly be exclusive to the Pro Max, although that remains unconfirmed. The phone is also expected to be slightly thicker and heavier than its predecessor.Expected iPhone 18 Pro Max features
| Feature | Reported specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch LTPO+ OLED |
| Processor | A20 Pro, 2nm |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Battery | 5,567mAh |
| China battery | 5,391mAh |
| Main camera | 48MP variable aperture |
| Connectivity | Apple C2 or Qualcomm modem |
| Weight | Around 240g |
| Thickness | Around 0.25mm thicker than iPhone 17 Pro Max |
| Camera plateau | Around 11.54mm |
| Colours | Dark Cherry, light blue, silver, dark grey |
| Expected price | $1,399 and up |
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 also expected
Apple is reportedly preparing new smartwatch models for the September 9 event. The company is expected to introduce the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Reports suggest the Apple Watch Series 12 could bring new health-related features and may include a ceramic case option.The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is also reportedly expected to receive a redesign.
AirPods 5 may get new health features
Apple could also announce the AirPods 5 at the event. Reports suggest the new AirPods may come in versions with and without active noise cancellation. Heart-rate tracking has also been linked to the AirPods 5, although Apple has not confirmed these features.Apple may also announce new home devicesApple is reportedly considering several updates to its smart-home lineup. Possible announcements include a refreshed Apple TV 4K, a new HomePod mini and a new home hub with a seven-inch screen. However, reports suggest some of these products could instead be saved for another event later this year.
iOS 27 release date may also be announced
Apple is expected to provide more details about the release of iOS 27 and other operating system updates during the event. The new software is reportedly expected to add features for the foldable iPhone, including side-by-side multitasking, iPad-style layouts and support for different hinge positions. The software updates are also expected to cover iPadOS, watchOS and other Apple platforms.iPhone 18 India price and availabilityThe reported US prices suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could start around $1,299 (approx. Rs 1,23,000), while the iPhone 18 Pro Max could start at around $1,399 (approx. Rs 1,32,000),.The first foldable iPhone is expected to be significantly more expensive, with reports placing it between $1,999 (approx. Rs 1,90,000)and $2,299 (approx. Rs 2,29,000) for the 256GB version.Apple is reportedly expected to open preorders on September 12, with retail sales potentially beginning on September 18. India is expected to be among the first markets for the Pro models, while launch availability for the foldable remains less certain.
