Apple's September Event Is Next Wednesday. Here's What to Expect

Apple's September event is next Wednesday, 9 September. Apple is calling it "Surprise and shine", which is about as much as Apple ever gives away in an invitation. Here's what's confirmed, what's rumoured, and what I'll be watching for.

What we know

The date is confirmed, and Apple events normally start at 6pm UK time. You can watch on apple.com, in the Apple TV app, or on YouTube.

The other confirmed thing is who's on stage. Tim Cook is handing over to John Ternus this month and becoming Executive Chairman, so this is Ternus's first keynote as Apple's CEO. He's an engineer who has run hardware at Apple for years, and I'm curious to see how that changes the tone. I wrote about the handover back in April.

And that's it for facts. Everything from here on is rumour, so treat it that way.

What's rumoured

The event invitation and the wording point at iPhone, and there are two things the rumour mill has been consistent about for months.

A folding iPhone. This has been the worst-kept secret in tech for over a year. Reports suggest a book-style design that opens into something closer to a small iPad. If Apple shows one, it will be the big story of the day, and almost certainly the most expensive iPhone ever.

iPhone 18 Pro. A new Pro is expected every September, and this year's reports centre on the camera and a new chip. Whether we also get a standard iPhone 18 is less clear. Some reports suggest the non-Pro model has been pushed back, which would be a first.

Apple Watch and AirPods. Both usually get a refresh at this event. A new Apple Watch with updated health sensors is the common thread in the rumours, and AirPods are due an update too.

No Macs. Apple already updated the Mac mini and Mac Studio last week, so I wouldn't expect any Mac news. HomePod and Apple TV are overdue, but rumours point to later in the year.

What it means for you

If you're on an older iPhone and thinking about upgrading, wait a week. Prices and models shift on event day, and the current phones sometimes drop in price or disappear from the lineup. There's no advantage to buying now.

If you're happy with your iPhone, the more important date is the software update that follows the event, usually the Monday after. iOS 27 is the update I've been waiting for, and it runs on iPhone 11 and later. I wrote up the full compatibility list last month.

I'll watch the keynote and write everything up in plain English afterwards, including what I'd actually recommend to you. If you've got a specific question in the meantime, you know where I am.