Apple September 9 Event Preview: Foldable iPhone Ultra, New AirPods and HomePods

TL;DR

• Apple's September 9 event is expected to center on the first foldable iPhone Ultra, a book-style foldable with a 7.8-inch crease-free inner display and Touch ID built into the power button.
• AirPods Pro 3 are rumored for a major refresh with heart-rate sensing, live translation, and a new infrared camera for gesture controls, alongside an updated AirPods lineup.
• A new HomePod mini 2 and updated Apple TV 4K are also tipped to debut, bringing faster chips, better Siri with Apple Intelligence, and deeper smart home integration.

Apple Heads Into Its Biggest September in Years

Apple is just two days out from its September 9 keynote at Apple Park, and expectations could not be higher. Scheduled for 10 a.m. PT on Tuesday, the event is widely tipped to be headlined not by a standard iPhone refresh, but by something Apple has never done before: a foldable iPhone.

Invites teasing an "Unfold the Future" tagline, combined with months of supply-chain leaks, point to the debut of the iPhone Ultra — Apple's first foldable, positioned as an ultra-premium device above the expected iPhone 18 lineup. If the rumors hold, this will be Apple's most significant iPhone redesign since the iPhone X in 2017.

The Foldable iPhone Ultra Takes Center Stage

The star of the show is expected to be a book-style foldable, similar in concept to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series but with Apple's signature design polish. Reports from analysts including Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman describe a device that opens like a book to reveal a large tablet-like display inside, while offering a full-size cover display on the outside for everyday use.

Apple is said to be positioning the Ultra as a luxury productivity and creativity device, merging iPhone and iPad mini functionality. Expect heavy emphasis on multitasking, Stage Manager-style windowing, Apple Pencil support, and Apple Intelligence features optimized for the larger canvas.

Foldable Design: Thinner, Lighter, and Crease-Free

Design details have leaked steadily over the summer. The iPhone Ultra is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch inner OLED display with an almost invisible crease, thanks to a new liquid-metal hinge and display plate technology developed with Samsung Display. When closed, it is said to measure just 9 to 9.5mm thick, unfolding to around 4.5mm — making it one of the thinnest Apple devices ever.

The outer display is expected to be around 5.5 inches, taller and narrower than a standard iPhone for one-handed use. Other rumored specs include a titanium chassis, Touch ID integrated into the side button instead of Face ID to save internal space, dual-lens rear cameras with a larger sensor, and a high-density battery designed for all-day life across both screens.

Durability will be a key talking point. Apple is expected to tout extensive hinge testing rated for hundreds of thousands of folds, improved dust and water resistance, and Ultra Thin Glass with a new protective coating.

Price and Positioning: Ultra Means Ultra-Premium

This will not be a mainstream iPhone. Multiple reports peg the starting price between $1,999 and $2,499 in the U.S., placing it well above the iPhone Pro Max models. Apple is reportedly planning limited initial supply, with mass production ramping in late 2026 and availability in select markets first.

Alongside the foldable, Apple is still expected to preview or announce the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, featuring the new A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, an under-display Face ID system, and a variable-aperture camera. The foldable, however, is expected to get most of the stage time.

AirPods Get Their Biggest Update in Years

Foldable aside, audio is shaping up to be the second headline. The AirPods Pro 3 are rumored for their first major redesign since 2022, with a slimmer case, smaller earbuds, and new health sensors.

Bloomberg reporting suggests heart-rate monitoring during workouts, temperature sensing, and Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence will headline the update. Even more futuristic, Apple is said to be adding an infrared camera to each earbud to enable in-air hand gestures and improved spatial audio that adapts to your surroundings.

Standard AirPods and AirPods Max may also see minor refreshes with improved pairing, lossless audio over USB-C, and new colors, all timed for the holiday season.

HomePods and the Smart Home Push

Apple's smart home strategy is also due for a refresh. The long-rumored HomePod mini 2 is expected to debut with Apple's own N1 wireless chip for faster Wi-Fi 7 and Thread connectivity, improved bass and 360-degree audio, and much more responsive Siri.

The bigger story is software. With a delayed next-gen Siri now expected to launch this fall as part of iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence, the new HomePods are tipped to act as home hubs for contextual, conversational commands. A new Apple TV 4K with an A17 Pro or newer chip and FaceTime Continuity Camera improvements is also rumored to appear, possibly alongside a preview of Apple's tabletop home robot.

How to Watch and What Else to Expect

The September 9 keynote will stream live from Apple Park on Apple.com, YouTube, and the Apple TV app at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Expect pre-orders for new AirPods and HomePods to open Friday, September 11, with the iPhone Ultra rumored for pre-order later in September with in-store availability in October.

Also likely: Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 3 with hypertension detection, final release dates for iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and visionOS updates, and more on Apple Intelligence expansion.

If even half the rumors prove true, Tuesday will mark the start of a new product category for Apple — and set the tone for iPhones for the next decade.

AndroGuider Team

Articles written by the AndroGuider team. We try to make them thorough and informational while being easy to read.