Apple Just Confirmed the iPhone 18 Pro — and Its First-Ever Foldable. Here’s What to Know

Apple has officially confirmed its next event, “Surprise and shine,” for Wednesday, September 9, at 10am Pacific time. This year’s headline isn’t just an updated Pro model — it’s the arrival of Apple’s first foldable iPhone, widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra. That makes this a more significant product moment than most annual Apple events.

There’s also a notable structural change to how Apple is releasing devices this cycle: the standard iPhone 18 and a lower-cost iPhone 18e are not expected at this event at all. Reports suggest Apple is splitting the product launch into two phases, with those models pushed to a separate release around spring 2027. If you’ve been waiting on a more affordable iPhone, that’s worth knowing upfront.

What’s expected on September 9

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

The Pro and Pro Max models are expected in four colours — including a new dark cherry option alongside the usual black, silver, and light blue. Camera and chip improvements are expected as standard, though full specs won’t be confirmed until Apple takes the stage.

iPhone Ultra — Apple’s first foldable

This is the genuinely new ground. After years of Samsung, Huawei, and others establishing the foldable category, Apple is entering it for the first time. A first-generation foldable from any manufacturer typically carries trade-offs in durability, hinge longevity, and software optimisation that later generations iron out — something worth factoring into any decision to be an early adopter on this one.

New Apple Watch models

Apple typically announces updated Apple Watch models alongside the iPhone at this event, and this year is expected to follow the same pattern.

Should you buy now or wait?

If your current phone is working fine, waiting two weeks for actual in-hand reviews is almost always worth it — especially for a first-generation foldable form factor, where real-world durability testing reveals things lab specs can’t. First-gen hardware carries risks; second-gen hardware usually addresses the obvious ones.

If you’re due for an upgrade regardless, now is also a reasonable moment to check what your current phone is worth on trade-in. Demand for older flagship models tends to soften right after a new launch is confirmed, so locking in a valuation sooner rather than later can make a difference.

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