Apple will hold a launch event on 9 September, its first since John Ternus succeeded Tim Cook as chief executive, with speculation pointing to one of the company's most significant product unveilings in years. The headline attraction is expected to be Apple's first foldable phone, a rumoured "iPhone Ultra", which would arrive shortly after Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 and place Apple firmly in the folding-phone race for the first time.

The event, titled "Surprise and shine", takes place at Apple Park in Cupertino at 1pm ET (6pm BST) and will be livestreamed via Apple's website, Apple TV and YouTube. Reports suggest the standard iPhone 18 may be held back until early next year alongside an iPhone 18E and updated iPhone Air, while the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are tipped to launch with larger batteries, a smaller Dynamic Island and possibly a variable aperture camera, albeit at higher prices following Apple's earlier cost increases. Updated Apple Watch models, potentially reviving a ceramic case option, and new AirPods are also expected, though camera-equipped AirPods are unlikely to feature this time.