Apple’s ‘Surprise and Shine’ event: What to expect from John Ternus’s first keynote on September 9

On September 9, Apple is set to kick off a new era with a "Surprise and Shine" event at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino. This marks the first product launch under CEO John Ternus, who officially assumed leadership from Tim Cook on September 1. With over two decades of experience building Apple's hardware, including the Cinema Display and iPhone Air, Ternus is poised to introduce the company's inaugural foldable iPhone.

Rumors suggest the foldable device could be dubbed "ultra" and represent Apple's most significant form-factor change since the iPhone X eliminated the home button in 2017. Given Ternus's history of coordinating hardware and silicon teams, the foldable is expected to rely on custom engineering rather than a simple hinge-and-glass approach.

In addition to the foldable iPhone, Apple is rumored to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, which are established variants in the lineup, indicating design continuity with minor updates such as a smaller Dynamic Island. The standard iPhone 18 and Air's next-generation models may be delayed until spring 2027, suggesting Apple might split its iPhone cycle for the first time in years.

This would allow premium hardware to debut in September, followed by more affordable options later. Other potential announcements include updated Apple Watch Series 12 and Watch Ultra 4 models, as well as a refreshed AirPods lineup. The smart-home sector could see a long-awaited home hub device, a new Apple TV 4K, and an updated HomePod mini, areas where Ternus has shown interest in expanding beyond the iPhone, similar to his work with AirPods and the iPad during his previous tenure.

While Apple Intelligence and Siri are not expected to be the focus of the event, there will likely be confirmations of the launch dates for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate. However, Apple's AI strategy will likely be reserved for future discussions. This first opportunity for Ternus as CEO will set the tone for Apple's operational discipline or potential expansion into new categories, reflecting his career trajectory and the restructured chain of command under Johny Srouji's leadership. Tune in to our live coverage of the "Surprise and Shine" event at 10 AM PT (10:30 PM IST) tomorrow.