Apple Unveils Foldable iPhone Ultra at Steve Jobs Theater Event

Apple is preparing for a "surprise and shine" event later this week that might finally drop its most anticipated gadgets in years. The big show happens Wednesday at the Steve Jobs Theater inside Apple Park in Cupertino. Tech insiders expect the iPhone Ultra to take center stage. This would be the company's first foldable phone. Samsung and Google have already sold several versions of bendable screens, so pressure is mounting on Apple. They must make sure their late arrival feels worth it.

Fans should also watch for the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Experts say updated Apple Watches will appear alongside a better HomePod Mini and fresh AirPods. One thing to forget about: cheap phones. The entry-level non-Pro iPhone 18 likely won't launch until next year. This event marks a special moment for new CEO John Ternus. He stepped in from Tim Cook only last week.

The doors open September 9 at 10:00 local time, which is 18:00 BST. Only press and invited guests get to walk into the venue. Everyone else can join online via the Apple Events page or YouTube channel. The Daily Mail will stream live coverage too. This gathering is one tech enthusiasts cannot afford to skip. Paolo Pescatore from PP Foresight noted that Apple events rarely fail. Expectations are running sky-high this time around.

The foldable iPhone Ultra remains the headline attraction. It promises to change how people use their phones. The device has been in development for years. Rumors have swirled about its design and features. Nothing is confirmed yet, but the reveal could reshape the market. Apple needs a strong performance here to regain momentum after long delays.

A leaker has dropped what they claim is the design for the new smartphone shown here. This marks Apple's first major break from the classic iPhone look established nearly 20 years ago. The foldable phone arrives late compared to rivals, so it needs a big win and serious features to stand out. Experts say the device will match the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 with a 5.3-inch outer screen and a massive 7.7-inch inner display. That wider-than-tall shape gives the iPhone Ultra an aspect ratio similar to Apple's biggest iPads. Mark Gurman from Bloomberg reports that the new phone will miss out on a telephoto lens found on most premium phones. Rumors suggest Apple has built a rival-beating, nearly creaseless folding screen with better durability. Leaks from reliable sources say the iPhone Ultra will launch in just two colors: black and white. This is an ultra-premium product with a price tag to match. Launch prices should top $2,000 or £1,470. With only one week left before Apple's 2026 event, details are emerging fast. Rebecca Crook, CEO of MSQDX, told the Daily Mail that the September 9 show will be the most significant in years. It brings the expected debut of the first foldable iPhone and a huge change to the lineup. This also marks the first time in over a decade that Tim Cook won't introduce Apple's new products himself.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max offer fewer surprises than the Ultra but bring key upgrades. Leaks suggest these models feature a new under-display Face ID sensor. That could finally remove the unsightly black oval at the top of screens that has been there since 2022. Tech fans have hated that hole for years. Mark Gurman says these phones will show 'the biggest leap in camera hardware' in recent memory. The flagship feature is a variable aperture telephoto camera. Users can mechanically control how much light enters the lens. This normally appears on large specialist cameras and helps take better photos in very dark or bright conditions. Apple will also launch the sequel to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Inside, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max likely include upgraded chips that handle powerful AI processes. Ben Wood, chief marketing officer at CCS Insight, told the Daily Mail: 'Expect to see Apple heavily promoting its Apple Intelligence, Siri AI capabilities, and other software enhancements.' He added that hardware will grab headlines instead.

Apple is widely expected to use this surprise event to launch new AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with ANC. The bad news is the upgrade might not be as spectacular as earlier rumors suggested. Last month, a developer version of Mac computer software accidentally leaked a video of an unreleased AirPods product that included cameras. These headphones used Visual Intelligence to analyze the real world for Siri and other AI tools. Apple is expected to launch the AirPods 5 as an upgrade to the AirPods 4, but these won't include cameras as some leaks claimed. The news immediately split fans. Some praised the innovative tech while others expressed privacy concerns. A group even dubbed the headphones 'PervertPods'. Mark Gurman poured cold water on that speculation by revealing camera-enabled headphones won't launch until at least 2027. This week's headphone launch will likely be a smaller upgrade to the 2024 AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Expect better sound quality, battery life, and potentially new health features, but no groundbreaking changes.

The event is also expected to see the release of the next-generation Apple Watches. Don't expect any groundbreaking upgrades here. The Apple Watch Series 12 will include usual upgrades like a better chip and longer battery life. It uses energy more efficiently to go even longer between charges. The biggest change is the return of the premium ceramic case option plus new band and color configurations. The launch event should see the release of the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and Apple Watch Series 12.

An upgrade to Siri and Apple Intelligence is coming soon, which might just push for a new HomePod Mini 2 release. This fresh speaker would make the most of these new capabilities right away. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is meanwhile rumoured to pack a serious upgrade to its sensors. Such changes will make health data more accurate while reducing battery drain at the same time.

Rumours also suggest a blood pressure alert feature is on the way. Yet, there isn't the long–expected blood sugar monitor feature Apple is reportedly developing right now. With Apple expected to focus extensively on new AI features and a new AI–enhanced Siri on the horizon, experts expect an overhaul to the company's home tech. It has been six years since Apple launched the last version of its compact smart speaker. The timing couldn't be better for this update.

A new HomePod with a chipset capable of handling AI tasks could be a far more useful and versatile home assistant than the existing model. According to MacRumors, the newly released macOS 26.7 beta software includes codenames referencing a number of unreleased products. The list even includes the codename 'B525'. Since the current HomePod Mini has the code 'B520', this could imply a second–generation sequel is on the way.