Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterApple is officially hosting its September event on the 9th, bringing a wave of new devices. The spotlight is on the highly anticipated iPhone Ultra foldable, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series, an updated Apple Watch, and a new Apple TV 4K.
iPhone Ultra: Apple’s First Foldable Takes the Stage
The iPhone Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most exciting launches, featuring a virtually crease-less foldable design reminiscent of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8. It adopts a passport-like form factor that opens into a spacious 7.8-inch screen with a 4×3 aspect ratio—ideal for web browsing, reading, and media consumption alike.
The exterior flaunts a roughly 5.5-inch display with rounded corners and a flat frame, recalling the Pixel Fold’s design cues but with a unique Apple twist. The foldable is expected to be impressively slim, measuring about 4.5 mm when unfolded and just over 9 mm when closed.
Under the hood, the iPhone Ultra will run on Apple’s new 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip, reported to be 18% faster and 30% more power efficient than its predecessor, coupled with 12 GB of RAM. It also boasts a 4,883 mAh split-cell battery, designed to strike a balance between performance and portability. Connectivity will be enhanced with Apple’s new C2 modem, expected to outperform the current generation.
On the optics front, the foldable sticks to a dual 48-megapixel camera setup but notably omits a telephoto lens, which might disappoint photography enthusiasts and impact sales given the premium price tag rumored to exceed $2,400. Early testers praise the hinge mechanism and pocket-friendliness but caution on camera limitations.
Also worth noting, the “Ultra” name might be temporary, possibly reserved for a future 20th-anniversary iPhone. Launch availability is predicted to be limited, potentially restricted to the US initially—a scenario Apple enthusiasts hope doesn’t mirror the Vision Pro’s long wait times.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max: Big Improvements on Familiar Grounds
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will share the powerhouse A20 Pro chip and 12 GB RAM with the foldable but keep the classic form factor. They’re set to feature Qualcomm modems for US models and Apple’s C2 modem elsewhere, along with improved battery life—up to 12% on the Pro Max.
Camera upgrades are expected to be significant, particularly on the Pro Max, which might benefit from an exclusive variable aperture sensor, a departure from the previous year where the Pro Max held the edge with a 5x telephoto versus 3x on the Pro. Color options are evolving with a dark cherry shade taking centre stage, complemented by light blue, silver, and a sleek dark gray.
Price hikes loom large, with IDC projecting a $200 increase, positioning the iPhone 18 Pro starting at $1,299 and the Pro Max at $1,399—a steep climb for non-folding models but one that speaks to Apple’s premium market positioning.
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini Get Significant Upgrades
Apple’s streaming box is ready for a refresh, building on the 2022 model which saw a hefty price jump. The new Apple TV 4K will likely maintain this price with performance boosts from an A17 Pro chip, 8 GB RAM, and support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The inclusion of Apple Intelligence further ramps up its smart capabilities.
The HomePod Mini is also due for an update, reportedly featuring the next-gen ultra-wideband U2 chip and the new N1 chip, along with the S9 or S10 Apple Watch chip—a meaningful upgrade after six years without major changes in sound quality or design. These smart devices are said to be ready and waiting in storage, primed for announcement.
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: Iterative but Important
The Apple Watch Series 12 will bring the long-awaited S11 chip for noticeable performance improvements after a few stagnant generations. Design-wise, it’s expected to hold onto last year’s look but might introduce a beloved ceramic casing previously seen on the Series 5.
Rumors suggest a price increase on the base model, potentially ending the eight-year streak of the $399 starting price. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 appears more conservative with no new Touch ID or radical redesign, but will feature a new sensor array aimed at enhanced blood pressure monitoring and the faster S11 chip for better power efficiency.
What Else to Expect at the September Event
Aside from the headline devices, the event will likely reveal the base model AirPods 5, powered by an H3 chip, delivering incremental updates. The highly anticipated AirPods Pro with advanced camera features, however, won’t appear until next year.
There’s also talk of a Home Hub device—a compact 7-inch square touchscreen tethered to a HomePod Mini, likely priced around $350—poised to become the centerpiece of Apple’s smart home ecosystem, but it may debut as late as October.
Overall, Apple’s September 9th event looks packed, straddling the line between groundbreaking foldable innovation and solid iterative upgrades across its ecosystem. Whether the iPhone Ultra foldable lives up to the hype or falters on price and camera compromises, it certainly will be the showstopper.
For fans of sleek tech visuals, some of these designs are already leaking with stunning new colors and form factors. Watching the foldable iPhone in action will offer the best perspective on its promise and whether it can redefine Apple’s smartphone lineup.
