Apple to Launch iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable Ultra

Apple Inc. is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Ultra, during a keynote event on September 9, 2026, at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. The event will mark a leadership transition as John Ternus succeeds Tim Cook as CEO on September 1. In a departure from tradition, the company is delaying the release of the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 until spring 2027 to prioritize high-margin premium devices and mitigate global memory supply shortages.

The iPhone 18 Pro series will feature the A20 Pro chip, the first built on TSMC's 2nm process, and a proprietary C2 cellular modem. Hardware upgrades include a smaller Dynamic Island and a variable-aperture main camera, though reports conflict on whether this camera feature is exclusive to the Pro Max. The Pro Max is rumored to include a larger battery, potentially reaching 5,567mAh. A new signature color, described as Dark Cherry or Burgundy, is expected to lead the palette.

The iPhone Ultra foldable is projected to feature a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch cover screen with a price point between $2,000 and $2,500. While the device will be announced in September, supply chain analysts warn of limited initial availability, suggesting a staggered rollout starting in the United States with potential shipping delays of four to six weeks. Tim Cook has stated that price increases for the new lineup are unavoidable due to rising component costs.