Apple September Event 2026: Everything Announced

Published: 09/09/2026
Updated: 10/09/2026

Apple September Event 2026: at a glance

One thing you won't find on that list is the standard iPhone 18. Apple didn't announce a regular iPhone 18 during this event, concentrating instead on the Pro range and the new iPhone Duo.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

The iPhone 18 Pro range looks familiar from the outside, but some of the biggest changes this year are happening inside the phone and around its cameras.

Both models are powered by Apple's new A20 Pro chip, built using a 2-nanometre manufacturing process. Apple has also redesigned the cooling system with a new vapour chamber to help the phones maintain performance for longer.

A camera with a real variable aperture

One of the most interesting upgrades is the new 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture.

Instead of relying entirely on software to change the look of an image, the camera can physically change its aperture depending on the lighting and depth of field required.

Apple is also giving more control to people who want it. The new Pro Controls interface can adjust settings including aperture, shutter speed and white balance, with a histogram available for checking exposure.

Apple Reference Image

There is another interesting photography feature called Apple Reference Image.

When Reference mode is used, the phone can create a protected reference showing what the camera sensor originally captured. It can then be compared with an edited image.

That could be particularly useful for photographers, journalists and anyone who needs to demonstrate that an image hasn't been significantly changed.

The Dynamic Island has changed too

Apple hasn't removed the Dynamic Island, but it has made it smaller and more useful.

The updated version can now display as many as three Live Activities at the same time, giving you more information without opening an app.

iPhone 18 Pro UK price

Both phones are available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB of storage and come in black, silver, glacier and burgundy.

Pre-orders open on Saturday 12 September, with the phones going on sale on Friday 18 September.

iPhone Duo: Apple's first folding iPhone

Then came Apple's “one more thing” moment.

The iPhone Duo is Apple's first folding smartphone and arguably the biggest announcement of the entire event.

Rather than simply creating a larger iPhone, Apple has redesigned parts of iOS around having two displays and a phone that can change shape.

Apple's largest iPhone screen

Open the phone and you get a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display, making this the largest display Apple has ever fitted to an iPhone.

Close it and there's a much smaller 5.4-inch outer display, designed to make everyday tasks comfortable with one hand.

The inner screen also uses a nano-texture finish designed to reduce reflections and make the folding crease less noticeable.

Apple Pencil is coming to iPhone

This was one of the more unexpected announcements.

Apple says Apple Pencil with USB-C will work with iPhone Duo later this year, allowing you to write notes, sketch and mark up documents on the phone's displays.

It effectively pushes the Duo closer towards being a pocket-sized iPad when it is unfolded.

Two apps at the same time

iOS 27 has been adapted specifically for the folding design.

Open the Duo and you can use Split View to run two apps side-by-side. You can even open two windows from the same app, which could be handy for comparing webpages or working between documents.

No Face ID

Another big change is authentication.

Instead of Face ID, the iPhone Duo uses Touch ID built into the side button. This means the same fingerprint sensor works whether the phone is folded or open.

Some clever camera tricks

The folding design also gives the cameras a few abilities a normal iPhone can't easily copy.

You can use the main rear camera for a higher-quality selfie while previewing yourself on the outer screen, while Duo Preview lets the person being photographed see how the shot is framed.

There's even a feature called Kid Cue, which can show Peanuts animations on the outer display to encourage children to look towards the camera.

iPhone Duo price and release date

The Duo won't arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro.

At £1,999 it certainly isn't cheap, but the Duo feels more like the start of a completely new iPhone category than simply another model in the existing range.

AirPods 5

Apple also introduced the AirPods 5, and this year's upgrade is more substantial than it might initially appear.

Most importantly, Active Noise Cancellation is now included on both AirPods 5 models.

Apple says the new design can remove up to 50% more outside noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, while a redesigned acoustic system and Adaptive EQ aim to improve overall sound quality.

Two versions of AirPods 5

There are still two models, but the difference isn't whether you get noise cancellation.

The £139 model also lets you adjust the volume by swiping directly on the stem — something previously associated more closely with Apple's Pro earbuds.

Live Translation

Live Translation is another headline feature.

Paired with a compatible iPhone and Apple Intelligence, AirPods can help you communicate with someone speaking another supported language, with translated speech delivered through the earbuds.

AirPods 5 also offer improved resistance to dust, sweat and water.

Both versions are available to pre-order now and go on sale on 18 September.

Apple Watch Series 12

Health was a major focus for the new Apple Watch Series 12.

The watch uses Apple's new S11 chip alongside a redesigned Health Sensing System.

Apple says the Series 12 can now check heart rate every five seconds throughout the day, while higher-frequency heart rate variability measurements provide additional information about how your body is responding.

What is Readiness?

Readiness pulls together information including activity, training load, sleep and health measurements to give you a score from 0 to 10.

The Watch then turns that into a simple recommendation such as Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready or Go For It.

It's designed to give you a quick indication of whether your body looks ready for a demanding day or whether taking things a little easier may make sense.

Audio Intelligence

Apple is also bringing a collection of new intelligence features to the Watch.

Live Rewind can help you catch something you have just missed in a conversation, while Siri Recap can create summaries that you can return to later.

Sound Recognition can also identify important sounds such as alarms, doorbells and sirens.

Some Audio Intelligence features are arriving later in 2026 rather than immediately at launch.

Apple Watch Series 12 UK price

The Apple Watch Series 12 starts at £369 and is available in aluminium, titanium and ceramic versions.

Pre-orders are open now, with availability beginning 18 September.

Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 shares many of the Series 12's new health and intelligence features but packages them into Apple's larger adventure-focused Watch.

It gets the same S11 chip, Readiness feature and improved health sensing, alongside enhanced GPS and significantly longer battery life.

Up to 50 hours of battery

Apple rates the Ultra 4 for up to 50 hours of normal use or as much as 84 hours in Low Power Mode.

For particularly long outdoor activities, a Max Extended Workout mode can track compatible activities for up to 45 hours.

Fast charging has improved too, with Apple saying a 15-minute charge can provide as much as another 18 hours of battery life.

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 comes in natural or black titanium and starts at £749.

Like the Series 12, it will be available from 18 September.

iOS 27 and watchOS 27 arrive first

You won't have to buy new hardware to see everything Apple is changing this month.

iOS 27 and watchOS 27 will be released on Monday 14 September.

iOS 27 brings the next generation of Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI experience to supported devices, alongside further changes to Apple's Liquid Glass design.

Siri AI will initially launch as a beta, so some of the features demonstrated during the event will continue to evolve after release.

UK prices and release dates

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