Apple's Sept. 9 'Surprise and Shine' Event: What to Expect, Including iPhone 18, iPhone Ultra, Watch Series 12, and More

Apple's Sept. 9 "Surprise and Shine" event isn't exactly aptly named. Details about the company's upcoming products have been leaking for months, and I doubt there will be a single jaw left hanging by the time John Ternus —its new CEO—leaves the stage.

But if there's one rumored product poised to steal the spotlight, it's the iPhone Ultra , Apple's first-ever foldable. Cupertino is also tipped to unveil the new iPhone 18 Pro series, updated Apple Watches , improved AirPods, and more. With plenty of new hardware on the way, here's a deep dive into everything Apple is expected to show on stage during the Sept. 9 event.

How to Watch Apple's Sept. 9 Event

The Surprise and Shine event will take place on Sept. 9 at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino. It will kick off at 10 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. MT / 12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET. If you didn't get an in-person invite, you can still watch it across a number of different platforms, including the Apple TV app, the Apple Events page, and the company's YouTube channel .

Before the show starts, tune in for live coverage from PCMag's Executive Producer, Iyaz Akhtar, and CNET Editor at Large, Bridget Carey, starting at 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET.

Unfolding the 'iPhone Ultra'

First, here's what you shouldn't expect at Apple's Surprise and Shine event. While you may be hoping for a refreshed entry-level iPhone 18 reveal, and perhaps a new-generation iPhone Air, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple won't be announcing these products on Sept. 9.

Instead, the company is shifting the spotlight toward the iPhone Ultra, Apple's long-rumored foldable. It's expected to have a short-and-wide form factor similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it won't feature Apple's best-in-class camera system because it will lack a telephoto lens. However, knowledgeable sources claim that it will have a rival-beating, nearly creaseless display, as well as impressive durability, thanks to an advanced Liquid Metal hinge.

iPhone Pros Only

Although we supposedly won't see the base models, Apple is broadly expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.

According to The Information , the Pro models will feature an under-display Face ID sensor, relocating the selfie camera to the top-left of the screen. The Pro models will also reportedly include a "mechanical aperture," allowing users to control how much light enters the lens. Finally, Apple may move the devices' memory chips closer to the core processor, potentially helping the iPhones process AI requests more quickly while keeping their reliance on cloud servers to a minimum. The phones will also come in a new batch of colors that don't include traditional black or white.

More Wrist Computers

Gurman claims that Apple's modest upgrade trend for its smartwatch line will continue with the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. Both will reportedly get a major performance boost, along with a handful of new health and fitness-related updates. One of those features is an updated heart-rate sensor that continuously tracks your heart rate throughout the day rather than only detecting intense activity. Plus, the company is reportedly considering a ceramic case option, as well as new colors and bands.

Fresh Budget Buds

The new AirPods 5 , an upgrade to Apple's entry-level earbuds, are also expected to make their debut at the Sept. 9 event. Gurman didn't say much about the rumored AirPods 5, but in an X post, he revealed that they'll continue to come in two flavors: one will feature active noise cancellation, while the other will not. There have been whispers about new camera-equipped AirPods coming down the pipeline, but Gurman says that's more of a 2027 conversation.

Then There Are the 'Maybes'

Of course, there are always products that are much more of a wild card. Gurman says Apple's new TV set-top box and an updated HomePod mini are expected to launch this fall, but he isn't sure whether either will show up at the Sept. 9 Surprise and Shine event.

The new smart home hub, which will reportedly feature facial recognition to identify users, is even more uncertain: Apple could preview it during the event, but Gurman says its actual launch could come anytime between October and early next year.

We won't know for sure about these rumored products until we hear about them directly from Apple. Stay tuned for PCMag's coverage of the Surprise and Shine event, as we'll be on the ground bringing you all the latest announcements, hands-on impressions, and analysis straight from Apple Park.

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