Apple’s September iPhone event: Date, time, and what will launch

Summary created by Smart Answers AI

In summary:

• Macworld reports that Apple’s September 9, 2026 event, starting at 10am PDT, is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro with an A20 Pro chip and a foldable iPhone potentially called the iPhone Duo, priced around $2,000.
• New Apple Watch models, AirPods 5, updated Apple TV 4K, and a HomePod mini with improved Siri AI are also anticipated launches.
• The prerecorded presentation, hosted by new CEO John Ternus, will stream via Apple’s website and YouTube.

Apple has confirmed that it will hold an event on Wednesday September 9, starting at 1pm ET, 10am PT and 6pm BST. We expect that Apple will take the wraps off the new iPhone 18 Pro, new iPhone Duo and new Apple Watches during the keynote.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Apple’s iPhone launch event for 2026, including when the Apple Event will start where you are, and the new products Apple will launch. You will be able to watch the event below once it starts. We will also run a live blog.

When is Apple’s iPhone event? What time will the iPhone event start?

• The 2026 iPhone event will take place on Wednesday 9 September. It starts at the following times depending on where you are:
  • U.S.: 10 a.m. (PDT), 11 a.m. (MDT), 12 p.m. (CDT), 1 p.m. (EDT)
  • U.K.: 6 p.m. (BST)
  • Europe: 7 p.m. (CEST) 8 p.m. (EEST)
  • Canada: 10 a.m. (PDT), 11 a.m. (MDT), 12 p.m. (CDT), 1 p.m. (EDT), 2 p.m. (ADT)
  • India: 10.30 p.m. (IST)
  • Hong Kong, Singapore and China: The following day at 1 a.m.
  • Australia: The following day at 1 a.m. (AWST), 2.30 a.m. (ACST), 3 a.m. (AEST)
  • New Zealand: The following day at 5 a.m. (NZST)

You can watch the event live on Apple’s website or YouTube stream below. We also have a live blog of the iPhone Event so you can see our analysis of the annoucements as they happen:

Apple’s September events are usually one to two hours long.

This will be the first Apple event hosted by the company’s new CEO, John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1 following Cook’s retirement.

What will Apple launch at the September 2026 event?

Apple’s September events typically feature the launch of new iPhones, Apple Watches, and, sometimes, AirPods. Apple’s September 2026 event is shaping up to be one of its most significant in years, with a mix of expected updates and a major new product category:

The Headliner: iPhone Duo or iPhone Ultra (Foldable)

The biggest news is the long-rumored folding iPhone, initially expected to be called the iPhone Ultra until Mark Gurman revealed the possibility that it could be called iPhone Duo on the morning of the event. This marks Apple’s first major form-factor change in over a decade. According to reports, it will fold like a book, have a passport-like shape when closed, and feature a starting price of $2,000 or more . It’s expected to include two rear cameras (wide and ultrawide), a front-facing camera, and the return of Touch ID built into the side button. Read more here: Folding iPhone rumors.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

Alongside the Ultra/Duo, Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max . These models are rumored to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, an upgraded A20 Pro processor with revamped vapor-chamber cooling, a new C2 modem (or Qualcomm in the U.S.), and a new “Dark Cherry” signature color. Camera improvements are also expected, including a variable aperture and new sensor technology, along with a potential boost to 24 megapixels for the front-facing camera. Read more here:  iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max rumors.

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

As is tradition, Apple will update its smartwatch lineup alongside the new iPhones. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected to be announced . However, reports suggest these will be relatively minor updates, primarily featuring a faster S12 processor and a few internal upgrades, with no major new health sensors or design changes expected. Read about the Apple Watch Series 12 rumors.

Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini

Both the Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini are long overdue for an update and are expected to launch this fall. The delay has reportedly been due to Apple waiting for the new Siri AI architecture to be ready. The new models are expected to feature more powerful chips (like the A17 Pro in the Apple TV) to support the full Siri AI experience, enabling more contextual and conversational interactions. Read about Apple’s HomePod plans.

AirPods 5

It is possible that new AirPods could be announced at Apple’s event. They are expected to offer the H3 chip, improvements to audio/ANC and possibly new health sensing such as temperature monitoring. There are also rumors that camera-equipped AirPods are in the pipeline, but we don’t expect these at the September event.

Software

Apple is also likely to announce the date when it will release the new iOS 27 and watchOS 27 operating systems, most likely a few days after the event. iPadOS 27 and the new macOS Golden Gate may launch alongside iOS 27, but there have been years when these updates were available later. Apple is also likely to reveal when the next updates to tvOS and HomePod software will be available.

Release dates: New OS download dates

The following launch dates are likely to be announced at the iPhone 17 event:

• Monday, September 14: Downloads begin for iOS 26. If you do want to update your iPhone and you are looking for advice on how to install it read: How to update iOS on your iPhone.
• Friday, September 11 or Saturday, September 12: iPhone 18 Pro and new Apple Watch preorders begin.
• Friday, September 18: iPhone 18 Pro and new Apple Watch models are available for purchase.

Where to watch the iPhone event

Apple will broadcast the event live on its website, the TV app, and on Apple’s YouTube channel. If you want to refresh your memory, the 2025 keynote event is embedded above.

Will the iPhone event be live?

Apple hasn’t held a truly live event since September 2019. Instead, it shows a prerecorded video at the time a live event would be and often holds a small hands-on area to showcase the new products. It is likely that this will once again be the case in 2026, with members of the press gathering at Apple Park to watch the same video Apple will show to the rest of the world.

Interested to find out what won’t launch at the September event? Read: The iPhone event is September 9. The iPhone you want might not be there.

What won’t Apple launch at the September 2026 event?

Apple isn’t expected to unveil the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, second-generation iPhone Air, or Apple Watch SE 4 at its September 2026 event. Those products are reportedly being held back for later launches, with the new iPhones expected in spring 2027.