Apple's "Surprise and Shine" Event: Foldable iPhone, New Watches, and CEO Transition

Apple is poised to launch its highly anticipated first foldable iPhone and an updated lineup of Apple Watches at its upcoming "Surprise and Shine" event scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026. This event marks a significant moment for the tech giant, not only for potential new hardware but also as the first major product showcase under new CEO John Ternus, who recently succeeded Tim Cook.

The "Surprise and Shine" event, kicking off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, is widely expected to reveal the 2026 iPhone lineup. While familiar slab-style iPhones will undoubtedly be part of the announcement, the star of the show is anticipated to be Apple's debut foldable device. Alongside these flagship phones, consumers can also look forward to new iterations of the Apple Watch and AirPods, with rumors suggesting a few unannounced surprises may also emerge.

This transition in leadership is a notable development for Apple. John Ternus, formerly the head of hardware engineering, officially took the helm as CEO, with Tim Cook moving to the role of Executive Chair. In his inaugural memo to employees, Ternus expressed gratitude for the welcome and lauded Cook's contributions, while also conveying enthusiasm for an upcoming "huge launch," referring to the September event.

Shift in iPhone Pre-Order Timing

Following the product unveiling on September 9, pre-orders for the new iPhone models are expected to begin under an adjusted schedule. Typically, pre-orders commence at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on the Friday after the event. However, this year, that date falls on September 12, the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In a similar adjustment made in 2015, Apple is reportedly shifting the pre-order start time to midnight Pacific Time on Saturday, September 12, to avoid the sensitive anniversary.

Further details are emerging about software enhancements, particularly within iOS 27. A feature previously mentioned at WWDC, tentatively named 'iPhone Handoff,' will allow users to share a single phone number across multiple Apple devices. This functionality, demonstrated in a video shared by a MacRumors forum member, requires carrier support. It will enable a primary phone number to be active on both a user's main iPhone and a secondary iPhone via companion eSIMs, automatically switching to the unlocked device at any given moment.

The foldable iPhone, expected to be named the iPhone Ultra, is rumored to include MagSafe charging, a feature that had previously been speculated to be omitted to achieve its ultra-thin design. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg indicated that current information suggests MagSafe compatibility will indeed be present, adding another layer of anticipation for the device.

The surge in demand for Apple's desktop Mac models, particularly the Mac mini and Mac Studio, has prompted an earlier than usual release of updated versions. The Information reported that unexpectedly strong enterprise interest in hardware suitable for artificial intelligence tasks drove this accelerated product cycle. Apple traditionally updates these Mac models in the fall, but the company prioritized the release to address the high demand and a global memory shortage that has led to extended out-of-stock periods for many configurations. These new models are expected to offer enhanced performance and increased production capacity to better meet market needs.