Today is the day. Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event — widely called the biggest Apple launch since the original iPhone X — is happening right now on September 9, 2026. iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone Ultra are being officially unveiled at Apple Park. Indian viewers can watch the livestream at 11:30 PM IST on Apple’s YouTube channel. Here is everything confirmed going into the event, what to expect, and how to pre-order.

The Lineup: What Apple Is Announcing Today

Apple’s 2026 iPhone lineup includes its first foldable device. Along with the slab-style iPhones, Apple is debuting the iPhone Ultra — its first foldable phone — plus new Apple Watches and a new set of AirPods.

Confirmed announcements for today’s event:

• iPhone 18 Pro — 6.3-inch, A20 Pro chip (TSMC 2nm), variable-aperture camera, smaller Dynamic Island
• iPhone 18 Pro Max — 6.9-inch, same A20 Pro chip
• iPhone Ultra — Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone
• Apple Watch Series 12 — with ceramic case option
• Apple Watch Ultra 4
• AirPods 5 — with and without ANC

This year, a standard iPhone model is not expected to be part of Apple’s fall lineup. Apple is reportedly splitting its annual iPhone launch, with iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 following in spring 2027.

iPhone 18 Pro — Key Upgrades

This year’s upgrades for the Pro models will focus on new display, camera, and connectivity technology. Rumours point to three main upgrades: a variable-aperture main camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, and Apple’s C2 cellular modem.

The iPhone 18 Pro’s A20 Pro chip will be up to 18% faster and up to 30% more power-efficient compared to the iPhone 17 Pro’s A19 Pro chip. The A20 Pro chip will be the first iPhone chip manufactured with TSMC’s 2nm process, rather than the current 3nm process. The 2nm process — which no other smartphone chip currently uses — delivers more computing performance and AI processing power at lower energy consumption than anything available on Android phones today, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

The variable-aperture main camera — Apple’s most requested camera feature — adjusts optically between f/1.4 and f/2.8, allowing the lens to control depth of field mechanically rather than computationally. This is the feature Xiaomi offers on the 16 Ultra at ₹1,19,999 and that iPhone users have been requesting for years. On the A20 Pro’s camera pipeline, the combination of variable aperture and Apple’s computational photography will likely produce the best smartphone portrait photography ever seen.

iPhone Ultra — The Foldable Apple Took Years to Get Right

This is the announcement the tech world has waited for since foldable phones first appeared in 2019. The iPhone Ultra is expected to have an approximately 7.7- to 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.3- to 5.5-inch outer screen, with a wide 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded — resembling a small iPad.

The foldable iPhone is rumoured to feature a titanium frame, an ultra-thin design, and a virtually crease-free display. It may use Touch ID integrated into the power button instead of Face ID, alongside two front-facing cameras and a dual-camera system on the back.

The 4:3 aspect ratio is deliberate and significant. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold Ultra unfolds tall and narrow — like a stretched smartphone. Apple’s 4:3 ratio unfolds wide and short — like a mini iPad. For reading, browsing, and media consumption, Apple’s approach is more comfortable; for one-hand use while folded, the 5.3–5.5-inch outer screen in portrait orientation is closer to a normal phone than the tall Galaxy.

iPhone Ultra Price: Apple’s Most Expensive iPhone Ever

TrendForce expects the foldable iPhone to have a starting price of $2,099 to $2,299, with the highest-end configurations potentially reaching $2,500. At current exchange rates, that translates to approximately ₹1,76,000–₹1,93,000 for the base model in India — making it Apple’s most expensive device ever and competing directly with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Ultra at ₹1,99,999.

Initial supplies of the iPhone Ultra will be very limited when it is first released. Some reports suggest the foldable may not ship until December 2026, though Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said the device is still on track to ship at the same time as, or soon after, the iPhone 18 Pro models. Indian buyers should be prepared for possible wait times even after placing a pre-order.

Pre-Orders and India Availability

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max pre-orders will begin on Saturday, September 12 at 12 a.m. Pacific Time — that is 12:30 PM IST on September 12. The iPhone Ultra’s pre-order date may differ due to limited supply; Apple will confirm at today’s event.

India retail availability for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max is expected September 19–20 based on Apple’s historical India launch pattern. Pre-orders on Apple.com India and the Apple Store app will go live the moment the India store opens on September 12. Tips for getting first-wave stock: use the Apple Store app for the fastest checkout, have your Apple ID payment method pre-saved, and set a 12:30 PM IST alarm for September 12.

Expected India Pricing

All pricing is estimated based on TrendForce analysis and exchange rates. Official India pricing will be announced at today’s event and on Apple.com India immediately after.

New CEO, New Era: John Ternus Takes the Stage

Tim Cook was Apple’s CEO for 15 years. A transition to John Ternus leading an event is a major change. Cook is now Apple’s executive chairman and may not make an appearance at all. Ternus — Apple’s former SVP of Hardware Engineering, the executive who oversaw the M-series chip development and the transition away from Intel — will introduce Apple’s most ambitious product in years. His engineering background makes him uniquely credible to present a device as technically complex as a foldable iPhone.

Watch Live at 11:30 PM IST Tonight

The event streams live on Apple’s YouTube channel, Apple.com, and the Apple TV app. Set your notification now — this is the most significant Apple event since the iPhone X introduced Face ID and the all-screen design in 2017. Whether you are buying today, next year, or never, the iPhone Ultra changes the conversation about what a smartphone can be.

We will publish a full breakdown of everything announced — confirmed specs, confirmed prices, and our first-take verdict — within minutes of the event ending. Follow digitalidea.in for live coverage.

Published September 9, 2026 · Digital Idea Tech News · Live coverage ongoing. Page updated as announcements are confirmed.