Apple announces iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone Ultra event: ‘Surprise and shine’

9to5mac.com Aug 26, 2026

Apple announces iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone Ultra event: ‘Surprise and shine’

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 26, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Apple announced its September 9 event, titled “Surprise and Shine,” where it will unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, a new foldable iPhone Ultra, updated Apple Watches, and AirPods 5. The Pro models will keep current form factors but introduce a variable‑aperture main camera, a smaller Dynamic Island, and Apple’s C2 modem. The Ultra is rumored to feature a book‑style fold, titanium frame, and a starting price near $1,999. Apple’s leadership transition will also be highlighted.

💡 Why It Matters

· The foldable Ultra signals Apple’s entry into a new form‑factor market, potentially reshaping premium smartphone design and setting a new price benchmark.

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What to expect from Apple’s ‘Surprise and shine’ iPhone 18 Pro event…

Apple confirmed its September 9 event, titled “Surprise and Shine,” will launch the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the first iPhone 18 generation under new CEO John Ternus. The keynote will feature a 2‑nanometer A20 Pro chip, a larger camera bump, and potential under‑display Face ID. Apple also plans to unveil its first foldable iPhone, dubbed the iPhone Fold or Ultra, with dual screens, 12 GB RAM, and a rumored price between $2,000 and $2,500. The event will stream on YouTube, Apple’s website, and the Apple TV app, with an on‑site press preview at Apple Park.

💡 The launch marks Apple’s entry into the foldable market, potentially reshaping premium smartphone design. The new A20 Pro chip and camera upgrades signal a continued push for performance and imaging excellence amid rising competition.

appleinsider.com · Aug 26

Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan lead new Apple TV heist drama

Apple TV+ has announced "12 12 12," a new heist drama starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, scheduled for a Fall 2026 debut. The series unfolds across three distinct timelines: the twelve months of planning, the twelve hours of the heist, and the twelve days following the event. Mackie portrays a disgraced FBI agent, while Dornan plays an American career criminal. Their cat-and-mouse chase spans Europe, centering on a bank vault raid beneath Zurich. The global premiere occurs on November 13, 2026, with the first two episodes. Subsequent episodes will air weekly every Friday through December 25, 2026. Supporting cast members include Jack Kesy, Agathe Rousselle, Sallie Harmsen, Jose Garcia, and Kali Reis. Dudi Appleton and Jim Keeble created and executive produced the show. It joins Apple’s expanding slate of dramas, including "Your Friends and Neighbors" and the Jon Hamm-led crime series.

💡 The unique tripartite narrative structure distinguishes this project from standard procedural crime dramas. Securing Emmy and Critics' Choice nominees for lead roles signals Apple's aggressive strategy to capture prestige television audiences with high-profile talent.

ibtimes.co.uk · Aug 26

Mac Mini M6 Release Date, Price and Specs: Why M5 Owners May…

Apple has unveiled the new Mac mini powered by the M6 chip, marking the debut of its first 2-nanometre processor. The device launches on 22 September 2026, with a starting price of $899 in the US. The M6 features a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU, and an upgraded Neural Engine, delivering up to 1.2 times faster multithreaded performance than the M5. Graphics capabilities see a nearly 30 per cent increase in peak AI compute, alongside support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing and Dynamic Caching. The system supports up to 32GB of unified memory with 170GB/s bandwidth. These specifications target students, developers, and businesses seeking improved power efficiency and faster on-device AI workloads. However, the incremental gains over the previous generation may complicate upgrade decisions for existing M5 owners, who must weigh the performance benefits against the cost of replacing relatively recent hardware.

💡 The introduction of a 2nm chip in a budget-friendly desktop forces consumers to confront diminishing returns in annual silicon upgrades. This strategic move tests whether marginal performance gains can justify replacement costs for users who recently purchased M5 devices.

appleinsider.com · Aug 26

Adding AppleCare to Mac Studio & Mac mini is later in the…

Apple has shifted the AppleCare+ option for the new Mac mini and Mac Studio from the initial order page to a later step in the purchasing process. The change forces buyers to navigate through additional screens, often prompted by a Studio Display promotion, before accessing AppleCare plans. Users must click “Add to bag” and then select coverage, or skip the AppleCare page entirely. AppleCare+ costs $6.49/month for the Studio and $3.99/month for the mini, while the AppleCare One bundle covers up to three devices for $19.99/month.

💡 The altered workflow may deter customers from purchasing AppleCare, potentially increasing warranty claims and affecting Apple’s service revenue.

9to5mac.com · Aug 26

25% of US adults are interested in the iPhone Ultra – but…

A CNET survey of 2,605 U.S. adults found that 75% are not interested in buying a foldable iPhone, while 25% express some appeal for the upcoming iPhone Ultra. Interest varies by generation, with Gen Z willing to pay the most—$919 on average—compared to $781 across all respondents. Respondents’ willingness to pay falls far below Apple’s expected launch price of at least $2,000, suggesting the device will remain a niche offering. The study highlights a disconnect between curiosity and purchase intent.

💡 The gap between consumer interest and price willingness signals that Apple’s foldable strategy may struggle to achieve mainstream adoption, limiting its impact on the broader smartphone market.

appleinsider.com · Aug 26

OpenAI’s lawsuit delays cause more harm every day, says Apple

Apple intensified its legal push against OpenAI, seeking expedited discovery and early depositions in the trade‑secret theft lawsuit filed in July 2026. Apple argues that OpenAI’s attempts to delay the case allow the AI firm to continue profiting from allegedly misappropriated Apple hardware designs and other confidential information. The tech giant wants the court to order “urgent discovery” by October 1, 2026, covering documents and communications from August 1, 2023 onward, and to prevent OpenAI from postponing witness testimony until the end of fact‑discovery. OpenAI counters that the requested acceleration is unnecessary and overlaps with the normal schedule, while also disputing Apple’s claims about the scope of the alleged trade secrets. The dispute also includes a contested email misdirection claim and concerns over potential evidence destruction.

💡 Accelerated discovery could force OpenAI to reveal whether its emerging hardware leverages Apple’s proprietary designs, setting a precedent for how AI firms handle competitor IP.