Apple’s ‘Surprise and Shine’ Event: What John Ternus Might Unveil on September 9

On September 9, the lights will go up at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino for what Apple is calling its “Surprise and Shine” event. It isn’t just another product launch – it’s the first time we’ll see the company’s new chief executive, John Ternus, behind the podium.

John isn’t a stranger to the Apple stage. After two decades of tinkering with everything from the Cinema Display to the iPhone Air, he’s now inherited a $4.6 trillion empire. The big question on everyone’s mind: will he play it safe, or will he push Apple into a bold new direction?

The foldable iPhone – a long‑rumoured game‑changer

Whispers in the industry have been circling for months about a foldable iPhone, possibly bearing the name “Ultra.” If it materialises, it would be Apple’s most dramatic form‑factor shift since the iPhone X ditched the home button back in 2017. Ternus’s track record – remember the seamless chassis, chip and modem integration on the iPhone Air – suggests the foldable will be more than just a hinge glued to glass. Expect a custom‑engineered hinge, a reinforced display and software tweaks that feel genuinely Apple‑ish rather than a retro‑fitted Android‑style fold.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max – incremental, not revolutionary

Alongside the speculative foldable, Apple is likely to roll out the next‑generation iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. These models have historically been the flagship “show‑off” devices, so we should see a familiar silhouette, perhaps a slightly slimmer Dynamic Island and some camera upgrades. Nothing wildly different – Apple tends to favour refinement over radical redesign at this stage.

Interestingly, rumours hint that the standard iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air could be postponed to spring 2027. If true, that would mark the first time in years Apple splits its iPhone release cycle, pushing premium hardware to the September slot and saving the more affordable line‑up for later in the year.

Beyond phones – watches, earbuds and the smart‑home push

Apple’s ecosystem never stays still. Expect a refreshed Apple Watch, maybe a new health sensor or a brighter always‑on display, plus an iteration of the AirPods line‑up – perhaps a smaller, more affordable version aimed at the mass market. There’s also chatter about a new HomePod mini with enhanced spatial audio, signalling that the company is still betting on the smart‑home arena.

All told, the event could be a mixed bag: a headline‑grabbing foldable that tests the market’s appetite, steady upgrades to the Pro line, and a few modest tweaks to the rest of the Apple family. Whether Ternus will lean more on operational discipline or chase bold new categories will become clearer once the curtains close.

One thing’s for sure – Apple fans, tech junkies and analysts alike will be watching the live stream with bated breath. The world will soon know whether John Ternus’s first act as CEO is a safe continuation or a daring leap forward.