iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: Launch Date Tipped by Bloomberg

Apple is reportedly targeting September 8 or September 9, 2026, for its next major product event, according to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman. The event is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple's first foldable device, the iPhone Ultra, also referred to as the iPhone Fold.

Notably, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 will reportedly be held back until spring 2027. The keynote will also mark new CEO John Ternus's first major presentation. An Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are also expected, with pre-orders likely opening on September 11.

Gurman Narrows Down the Likely Launch Date

In his weekly Power On newsletter, Gurman said only two dates remain realistic for Apple's fall event: Tuesday, September 8, or Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

He pointed to Apple's recent scheduling pattern as the basis for this prediction. The company held its September event on the same date, September 9, in both of the past two years — landing on a Monday in 2024 and a Tuesday the following year.

How the 2026 Date Compares to Recent Years

The table below shows the pattern behind Gurman's prediction.

Gurman noted that Apple typically schedules its September keynote for the first Tuesday or Wednesday following the Labor Day holiday in the United States. He added that official confirmation usually does not arrive until about a week before the event, leaving some possibility of a later shift.

iPhone 18 Pro Versus iPhone Ultra: What Sets Them Apart

The two headline devices expected at the event represent very different parts of Apple's lineup. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to continue Apple's existing Pro-tier line, while the iPhone Ultra marks the company's entry into an entirely new device category.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra at a Glance

Devices Left Out of the September Lineup

Unlike previous years, this keynote will reportedly skip a direct successor to the iPhone 17. According to leaks cited alongside Gurman's reporting, two other devices will also be missing from the September 2026 event:

• iPhone 18 (standard model)

• iPhone Air 2

Both are expected to launch separately in spring 2027 instead.

A New CEO's First Keynote

The September 2026 event will also be notable for introducing John Ternus in his first keynote as Apple's chief executive. Alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra, the event is expected to feature updates to Apple's wearables lineup, including the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Pricing and Pre-Order Outlook

If the September 8 or September 9 date holds, pre-orders for the new devices would likely open on September 11, 2026, consistent with Apple's typical post-keynote schedule.

Gurman's reporting suggests both the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and, in particular, the iPhone Ultra will carry higher price tags than their predecessors, reflecting the added cost of foldable display technology.

Official Confirmation Still Pending

Apple has not confirmed the date, device names, or pricing for its September 2026 event. The company traditionally reveals these details only in the weeks immediately preceding the keynote, meaning Gurman's projections remain unofficial until then.

[Source:notebookcheck]