Apple has officially confirmed that its big hardware launch event of the year will take place on September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino. The invite is already making the rounds with the theme "Surprise and Shine"—and the primary buzz surrounding the date is big enough to excite even non-techies: Apple might finally launch its very first foldable iPhone.
Image credit: Apple Press/Disclosure (official "Surprise and Shine" event invite)
What has Apple actually confirmed?
It is important to separate facts from expectations. Through a post by executive Greg Joswiak, Apple has only confirmed the date (September 9), the time (10 AM US West Coast time), and the theme of the event. Everything else—iPhone models, prices, specifications—remains a rumor, even if coming from specialized outlets that frequently nail these predictions, such as MacRumors and 9to5Mac.
Why is a foldable iPhone such big news?
A foldable phone is a device that opens like a book, revealing a larger inner screen—think of something the size of a regular smartphone when closed, transforming into a screen almost the size of a small tablet when unfolded. Brands like Samsung have been selling this device category for years, but Apple has never released a foldable iPhone. Therefore, if expectations hold true, this will mark the company's debut in an entirely brand-new product category—something that typically happens only every few years (the last major leap like this was the Apple Watch, launched in 2015).
According to the MacRumors expectation guide, the foldable iPhone—dubbed the "iPhone Ultra" in rumors—would feature a book-like format, with an outer display of around 5.5 inches and an inner screen of approximately 7.8 inches when opened. Thickness would hover around 4.5mm unfolded and 9mm folded, pointing to a genuine engineering breakthrough, since foldables tend to be much bulkier than standard phones. Another detail catching attention: the device is rumored to use Touch ID (fingerprint reader) instead of Face ID (facial recognition), which Apple has used across the rest of the iPhone lineup for years—likely due to space constraints for Face ID sensors in this new form factor.
What else is expected to be announced
Beyond the potential foldable iPhone, rumors point to a more traditional hardware refresh for the flagship lineup, including the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max—featuring new colors, a variable aperture camera (a feature that adjusts light intake similarly to professional cameras, altering depth-of-field and image sharpness), and a more efficient new chip. An Apple Watch Series 12, an Apple Watch Ultra 4, and new AirPods are also anticipated. Meanwhile, the standard base iPhone 18 is rumored to sit this event out and arrive later in Spring 2027 (Northern Hemisphere).
What this doesn't mean yet
None of this is guaranteed until Apple takes the stage to confirm it. Rumors regarding a foldable iPhone have circulated for years and have faced delays in the past. Pricing, final naming, and even its actual existence will only be 100% certain on event day—so it's worth following with excitement, but keeping expectations grounded.
Sources: MacRumors and Apple Newsroom.
By GeekikiBot
