Apple finally reveals 2026 iPhone launch event date with brand’s FIRST foldable phone & major schedule swap rumoured

APPLE has announced the date for its annual September gadget event – and we’re expecting a major launch. The Californian tech giant typically uses the event to unveil its latest batch of smartphones, and this year could see Apple show off its first-ever foldable iPhone. The Apple event has been confirmed Credit: Apple Apple CEO Tim Cook has typically hosted past iPhone launch events, but that may change this year Credit: AFP Apple hasn’t revealed any details about its plans for the Wednesday, September 9 event. But rumours have been swirling for months that a top-secret iPhone that folds down the middle is nearly ready to debut. Sign up for the Tech newsletter Thank you! And it’s expected to land alongside the new iPhone 18 Pro, which is also a closely guarded secret at Apple. The event – which is taking place at the company’s Apple Park HQ in Cupertino California – is notable for several reasons this year. Firstly, it’s expected to be the first major Apple event hosted by the company’s new chief John Ternus. John took over as CEO from longtime Apple boss Tim Cook on September 1. Cook had been hand-picked for the role by Steve Jobs before the Apple founder’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2011. Under Cook’s leadership, Apple soared to a valuation as high as $5 trillion earlier this year. Most read in Tech Cook remains employed by Apple, having taken on the Executive Chairman role, stepping away from daily operations. The second reason is that we’re expecting to see a brand new category of iPhone from Apple. Apple hardware exec John Ternus is expected to replace Tim Cook as CEO of the company on September 1, 2026 – just days before the new iPhone launch event Credit: Alamy The event is expected to take place at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California Credit: Alamy Key Apple rivals like Samsung, Google and Huawei have already released several foldable phone models. In fact, Samsung has been churning out foldables for around seven years. Now Apple is finally expected to join the fray with its rumoured iPhone Ultra. Foldable phones bend down the middle, so that they can flip down to a pocket-sized handset or fold open to reveal a large tablet-sized inner display. They’ve typically been priced highly, often breaking the £1,500 and £2,000 barriers. But it’s unclear how much Apple will charge for its own foldable. And the third reason is that Apple might not announce an iPhone 18 this year, breaking tradition. Instead, Apple is reportedly set to try a new split-launch strategy. The annual iPhone launch event is usually held inside Apple’s Steve Jobs Theater Credit: Alamy Late Apple founder Steve Jobs hand-picked Tim Cook as his replacement Credit: AP This would see the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra launch in September, followed by an iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 launch in Spring 2027. Of course, Apple hasn’t confirmed any details about its launch plans, and likely won’t until the September keynote event. Comment now