Apple News 24 Hours

Last updated: September 9, 2026, 6:38 AM ET

Apple Event Preview

Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event is set for Wednesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with the company expected to unveil a range of new products. The centerpiece will be the first foldable iPhone, which has been a decade-long passion project for outgoing CEO Tim Cook, who reportedly pushed for years to perfect the device before stepping down. A comprehensive cheat sheet rounds up everything expected at the event, from the iPhone 18 Pro to the foldable model.

Foldable iPhone

The foldable iPhone, likely to be called the iPhone Duo, will start at $2,000 and won't launch until at least October, according to the latest reports. The device will reportedly come in multiple colors and will support the Apple Pencil, with final rumors suggesting it may also be branded as the iPhone Ultra. A new report reveals that the foldable was originally intended to cost $1,999, but the RAM crisis derailed those plans, potentially pushing the price to around $3,000 with storage upgrades. The device's development history has been detailed extensively, with Bloomberg reporting on how Cook shaped the project.

The foldable may launch later in China due to eSIM issues, according to a Chinese leaker. The iPhone Ultra's release in mainland China faces delays over eSIM complications, which could mean a longer wait for Chinese consumers. Meanwhile, code references in the iOS 27 beta suggest the iPhone Ultra will feature Touch ID instead of Face ID, though Mac Rumors cautions that these references shouldn't be taken as confirmation. Counterpoint Research predicts Apple will quickly dominate the folding phone market, with global foldable shipments expected to surpass 100 million units by the end of this year.

iPhone 18 Pro

The iPhone 18 Pro is set to become Apple's new default model this year due to a lineup overhaul. The standard iPhone 18 may be scrapped entirely, with the iPhone Air 2 potentially rebranded as the iPhone, according to a sketchy rumor from a leaker with no real track record. The iPhone Air line may eventually replace the entry-level iPhone, but not anytime soon. Final rumors about the iPhone Ultra suggest it will feature a crease-free display and Mag Safe support.

Apple Watch

The new Apple Watch lineup will be announced later today, with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 getting a new Siri AI feature called "Recaps" that summarizes a user's day using available data from the microphone and other sensors. A last-minute leak from watch OS 27 code reveals four changes coming to the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Series. Nearly all configurations of the Apple Watch SE 3 are suddenly "unavailable" on Apple's online store in the U.S. and other countries, signaling an imminent refresh. The new Apple Watch models launch this week, with the Watch SE 3 also expected to debut. Counterpoint Research reports that Apple Watch shipments rose 14% in Q2 2026, bucking a market-wide decline, with Huawei reaching a record share of global shipments.

Apple TV

The next Apple TV 4K will be a more powerful upgrade than previously thought, with evidence in Apple's code revealing it will be equipped with an A19 or A19 Pro chip, according to Mac Rumors contributor Aaron Perris. The new Apple TV 4K is expected to feature a more modern chip to enable Apple Intelligence features. When tv OS 27 is released later this month, users will gain an overhauled Podcasts app, but the update will remove custom URL podcast feeds, a feature some users might miss. For those concerned about privacy, there are seven Apple TV settings that can limit tracking without breaking streaming.

Software Updates

Apple has released iOS 26.6.2 and iPadOS 26.6.2 to the public, with the update including a fix for "an issue that prevents downloading a software update over a cellular connection." The minor update is rolling out now for the iPhone 11 series and later, arriving on the eve of the big launch event. Code in the Camera app in the latest iOS 27 beta points to the introduction of four major pro photography features, including significant videography upgrades.

Apple Acquisitions & Legal

Apple has acquired Sonera, a California-based startup working on breakthrough sensing technology, according to a notice published on the European Commission's website. The company makes non-invasive sensors that can measure neural signals from the brain, with health benefits ranging from muscle monitoring to active thought control. In legal news, Trinami X, a subsidiary of German chemical giant BASF, is suing Apple in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, accusing the company of infringing seven patents related to face recognition technology used in Face ID.

UK Regulation

The UK government is repeating demands for child safety features that Apple has already implemented, with the company's child safety toolset already robust and expanding with iOS. Bloomberg reports that the UK intends to introduce legislation that would require Apple and Google to block nude images on kids' devices, despite Apple already offering such protections.

Production & Market Data

A new Trend Force report shows that Apple produced 52 million iPhones in Q2 2026, a 14% year-over-year increase, reaching a 19% share of global production, second only to Samsung. The global smartphone market declined during the quarter, but Apple bucked the trend with strong production numbers.

Apple TV+ & Entertainment

Apple TV subscribers can now watch the first two episodes of "Last Seen," an Australian kidnapping drama starring Patrick Brammall. The crime thriller has premiered on Apple TV+ to strong reviews. Meanwhile, Slow Horses season 6 returns next week to Apple TV+, with early reviews hailing it as "the best one yet." BBC breakout comedy Small Prophets is returning for a second season and making the jump from BBC Two to BBC One, following an Apple TV pickup. The show has been renewed for season 2 after its strong first season.

Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade is adding five games in October, led by Pusheen's Place, the internet's favorite cat's first officially licensed game, along with "River City Survivors," and "Terraria+." The new titles were announced by Apple as part of its monthly update, with five new games joining the ad-free, in-app purchase-free library. The five new games will be added to the service next month.

Accessories & Hardware

Apple has released a firmware update (version 1.4.90) for its 140W USB-C Power Adapter, though the company does not publish release notes for the update. The company also released a firmware update (4A203) for its upcoming Beats 360 headphones, suggesting a launch is approaching. OWC announced an upcoming Thunderbolt 5 Dock with Dual HDMI support and 140W charging, priced at $350.

Apple Retail

Apple Lakeside will reopen on September 12 following a major redesign that adds dedicated pickup, expanded accessibility features, and a brand new experience room. Located in Essex, England, the store has undergone its first significant renovation in nearly 20 years.

New Apps & Features

Apple plans to announce an all-new Readiness app during its "Surprise and Shine" event this Wednesday, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Meta AI launched a brand-new iPhone app called Muse from Meta, a personal agent similar to Grok Bot. Sonos launched its Sonos 27 app update with new features and navigation improvements. Google Chrome has shifted to a two-week release cycle with version, as previewed earlier this year.

Deals & Discounts

Amazon is offering up to $150 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air, with the 15-inch model dropping to $1,349. The M5 Max Mac Studio has received its first discount, with Amazon offering a preorder deal saving $50 ahead of its Sept. 22 release. The Mac Studio preorder discount is in effect at Amazon, alongside Mac Mini deals. The 15-inch MacBook Air M5 deal delivers the lowest price of the season at $1,349, with upgraded models $150 off. Amazon also introduced the first pre-order discount on the new Mac Studio, alongside Mac Mini deals.

Miscellaneous

Apple has added 37 hardware identifiers for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices ahead of its "Surprise and Shine" event. The new product identifiers in Apple's backend don't necessarily indicate release timing, but some could be announced as soon as tomorrow. Apple is also exploring stretchable displays for future iPhones, iPads, or Apple Watches, according to new research and patent filings. The AirPods turned 10 years old this week, marking a decade since Apple unveiled the iconic wireless headphones on September 7, 2016. WhatsApp has doubled music clip length for status updates to 30 seconds. The Cadillac Lyriq EV represents the first crack in GM's CarPlay ban, as General Motors reverses its earlier decision to ditch Car Play in all future EVs. A new Mac mini buyer's guide compares the 2024 and 2026 models, with the new version built around the all-new M6 chip. The 9to5Mac Daily podcast covers HomePod rumors and App Store changes in its latest episode. Finally, a poll asks readers which of the upcoming new Apple products excites them most, with six to nine products expected at the event.