Apple has a busy fall schedule ahead of it for 2026, beyond the usual iPhone launches. Here's what to expect in September and October.
Historically, the fall is Apple's biggest quarter when it comes to launches. Regular as clockwork, September is known as the time Apple brings out a new generation of iPhones and a bunch of other major products.
From Apple's perspective, it's perfect timing. It all happens a short time ahead of the lucrative holiday shopping season, with the sales reflected in its quarterly results.
The period is a therefore a very busy one, anchored around iPhones. However, it's never just Apple's latest smartphone models, as it usually involves the launch of other products and accessories to go with them.
With launch season already well underway, here's all of the products you can expect to see come out of Apple in September and October.
We are all well aware of the September events, but Apple has held more than just one event in the fall. In 2020, it held three events, with one each in September, October, and November.
The October event is very much a possibility for Apple. In the last decade, five years saw an October event, which acted as a Mac-centric overflow to the September one.
That said, Apple's last October event was in 2023, with 2024 and 2025 just having the September one.
There is no guarantee of an October event, but it's very much a possibility.
The September event has been the iPhone event for many years, and there's no reason not to expect that to happen this time either.
There will be a difference though, in that it will just be the Pro models. Due to Apple's decision to split the launches so the standard models arrive in early 2028, that leaves just the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
An iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro Max should look quite similar.
Describable as a spec-bump update, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will move to the 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip. Thanks to some packaging changes, it should run cooler for longer, and therefore provide more performance.
You can also expect Apple to bring out the C2 modem, and there are hints of an under-display Face ID this time around.
The rear cameras on the Pro Max model is expected to benefit from a change for one sensor. The inclusion of a variable-aperture camera can help users create a real "bokeh" effect for their shots by controlling the focal range.
There are two other changes you can count on, thanks to the rumor mill. There has been talk of a dark cherry colorway, as well as price rises.
That could result in an increase of $300 over the iPhone 17 Pro models.
While the Pro models won't have their lower-tier counterparts accompanying them in September, they won't be alone. Apple's folding iPhone, referred to frequently as the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra, will also take to the digital stage.
It's a device with two screens, including a folding 7.8-inch internal version with a possible under-display camera.
A render of what the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra could look like – Image Credit: AppleInsider
A second 5.3-inch display will be on the outside, complete with a punch-hole camera. Two other 48MP rear cameras are expected.
Inside, it should include things like the A20 Pro and 12GB of memory running the show, to match its premium external appearance.
As with everything in tech, you can also expect a high price for the model. Previously, it was rumored to cost between $2,000 and $2,500, but the ongoing memory crisis can push that even higher.
A typical accompaniment to the iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 12 won't necessarily make waves. It isn't expected to have a major overhaul this year.
That said, it should still come with some changes. There's talk of a new health sensor inside a band, which could change how it monitors your heart through the day.
That band may also be accompanied by a new attachment method.
There has also been a lot of talk about the return of premium ceramic models. If we're lucky, we may even see two colors of ceramics being put on sale.
Other than that, there's not much to really expect in terms of change for the standard Apple Watch.
