Mark your calendars — Apple has officially confirmed its biggest event of the year, and if you’re in India, you’ll want to plan for a late night. The “Surprise and Shine” event lands on September 9, 2026, kicking off at 10:30 PM IST.
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The Full Global Schedule
| Region | Local Time |
|---|---|
| Cupertino, California (PT) | 10:00 AM |
| New York (ET) | 1:00 PM |
| London (BST) | 6:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CEST) | 7:00 PM |
| India (IST) | 10:30 PM |
Apple will stream the event live on YouTube, the Apple Events website, and the Apple TV app, so you won’t need an invite to tune in — just set a reminder. For more on what to expect, check our Apple news coverage.
What’s Expected at the Event
This year’s event is widely tipped to headline Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone, reportedly to be called the iPhone Ultra, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Notably, there won’t be a standard iPhone 18 this time around — Apple is reportedly holding the more affordable models back for a spring 2027 launch instead.
| Expected Product | Detail |
|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max | A20 Pro chip (2nm), possible variable aperture camera |
| iPhone Ultra (foldable) | Apple’s first foldable iPhone |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | Rumoured ceramic case option |
| Apple Watch Ultra 4 | Next-gen rugged smartwatch |
| AirPods 5 | With and without active noise cancellation |
The new A20 Pro chip, built on a 2nm process, is reportedly up to 18% faster and 30% more power-efficient than the current A19 Pro — though as with all pre-launch specs, treat these figures as informed leaks rather than confirmed numbers until Apple’s keynote. For the official rundown once announced, check Apple’s official events page.
Why the Date Feels Familiar
This marks the third consecutive year Apple has scheduled its fall event for September 9 — a level of date consistency the company hasn’t shown before. Apple’s choice of “Surprise and Shine” as this year’s tagline continues its pattern of cryptic, pun-adjacent event names.
When Can You Actually Buy What’s Announced?
Apple typically opens pre-orders the Friday following the event, which would normally point to September 11. However, since this year also marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Apple may adjust that timeline slightly — something worth watching for once the keynote wraps up.
What This Means for Indian Buyers
With prices already expected to rise due to the ongoing global memory chip shortage, this event will be closely watched not just for new hardware, but for what it signals about iPhone pricing in India going forward. Keep following our smartphone launches section for full coverage as the event unfolds on September 9.
