Apple’s upcoming September event may feature its first foldable device, potentially named the iPhone Ultra. Rumoured specifications include a book-style design with a 7.6-inch internal display, an A20 chip, and Touch ID. Positioned as a premium first-generation product, the device could retail for approximately $2,500.
Standard iPhone 18 and Pro models will likely receive modest incremental updates to chips and cameras rather than major redesigns. While a second-generation iPhone Air is reportedly delayed, a subsequent fall event might focus on M5-powered MacBook Pros. Consumers not seeking foldables should expect a business-as-usual hardware refresh.
iPhone 18 Event Predictions: What to Expect This September
Apple’s September event is a little over a month away, and this year’s lineup is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in years — not because of a total redesign across the board, but because of one product that could finally break the iPhone’s decade-old slab shape: a foldable.
Here’s what’s rumoured to land, what’s likely to stay the same, and what it means for your next upgrade.
The Big One: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone
After years of speculation, this could be the year Apple finally ships a folding iPhone. The rumoured design is a book-style fold — closer to a small tablet that closes in half than a clamshell — with a roughly 5.3-inch external display that opens up into a 7.6-inch internal screen, putting it in iPad mini territory when unfolded.
A few details worth calling out for anyone considering one:
- Thickness: reports point to a remarkably thin 4.5 mm profile when open, thanks to new display and hinge engineering aimed at minimising the crease that’s plagued folding phones from other manufacturers.
- Chip: expected to run on the A20, meaning it should launch as one of the most powerful phones in Apple’s lineup, not a compromised in-between device.
- Cameras: dual rear cameras, a more modest setup than the Pro line, which tracks with this being a first-generation device focused on form factor.
- Unlocking: rather than Face ID, the rumoured design uses Touch ID built into the power button — likely a space-saving decision given how much internal room a folding display and hinge mechanism require.
- Price: this won’t be a budget device. Estimates put it as high as $2,500, positioning it well above even the current Pro Max.
Apple hasn’t confirmed a name, but “iPhone Ultra” is the leading candidate in the rumour mill.
What About the Rest of the Lineup?
Don’t expect every model to get a dramatic overhaul. The standard iPhone 18 line is expected to see comparatively modest changes this cycle, with most of Apple’s attention and engineering resources going toward getting the foldable right. If you’re eyeing a standard Pro or Pro Max, expect the usual chip and camera refinements rather than a ground-up redesign.
One rumour that’s cooled: a second-generation iPhone Air. Earlier chatter suggested Apple would follow up last year’s Air with a sequel this fall, but that model appears to have been pushed to spring 2027, meaning it likely won’t be part of the September announcement.
Could There Be a Second Event?
Apple has, in past years, held a second fall event for Macs and iPads, typically in October or November. If that pattern holds in 2026, expect it to focus on the Mac side — there’s chatter about an OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro (potentially branded MacBook Ultra) using M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, since Apple isn’t expected to release M6 Pro or M6 Max variants. That device could also slip into early 2027, so don’t bank on seeing it in September.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
If you’re due for an upgrade and don’t have any interest in a folding phone, there’s little reason to hold off — the standard lineup isn’t expected to leap forward dramatically, so a current-generation iPhone will remain a solid buy even after the September event.
If the foldable has your attention, the calculus is different. This is a first-generation product at a premium price, which historically means Apple irons out rough edges (battery life, software polish, and third-party app support for the new form factor) over its first year or two on the market. Early adopters will pay a premium for being first; more cautious buyers may want to watch how the second-generation model shapes up.
The Bottom Line
This September looks less like an “everything changes” event and more like a two-track story: a bold, expensive, first-of-its-kind foldable at the top of the lineup and a business-as-usual refresh everywhere else. If your budget doesn’t stretch to four figures for a folding phone, the good news is you’re not missing much by sticking with a standard model this year.
We’ll update this piece with more details as the firm up ahead of the event — bookmark it and check back closer to September.
