The MacRumors Show
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PodcastThe MacRumors Show
Publisher/creatorThe MacRumors Show
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About this episode
Ahead of Apple's "Surprise and shine" event on September 9, we talk through everything to expect on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show.
The event begins at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, and will be streamed on Apple's website, on YouTube, and through the Apple TV app. It is the first keynote since John Ternus succeeded Tim Cook as chief executive on September 1. Rumors suggest at least six new products will arrive at the event.
The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to add a new chip, improved fitness tracking, better battery life, continuous heart-rate collection, and redesigned Health and Fitness experiences. A ceramic case option may return in white or dark gray, but no major redesign or Touch ID is now expected.
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 should receive the same new chip and health upgrades, again without a redesign. Apple may also expand its existing satellite connectivity features on the device with satellite Apple Maps and photo sharing in Messages.
AirPods 5 is expected to arrive in two versions, with and without active noise cancellation. Both may use an H3 chip for improved sound and lower latency, but are not expected to add the AirPods Pro 3's heart-rate sensor.
The iPhone 18 Pro should retain the iPhone 17 Pro's design while gaining an A20 Pro chip on TSMC's 2nm process, with RAM integrated on the same wafer. Other expected upgrades include a LTPO+ display, Samsung image sensor, simplified Camera Control without a capacitive layer, a narrower Dynamic Island, 12GB of RAM, 256GB base storage, and 5G satellite internet. It may use Apple's C2 modem outside the U.S., while U.S. models will likely retain Qualcomm hardware for mmWave connectivity.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max should share the smaller models's upgrades while adding a 5,391mAh battery in China and 5,567mAh battery in the U.S.. It may be thicker, heavier, and around 243 grams, with a variable-aperture main camerathat could be exclusive to the larger device.
The foldable iPhone, likely called the “iPhone Ultra," is expected to be the biggest announcement, using a wide passport-style design with 5.5-inch outer and 7.8-inch inner displays, an iPad-like 4:3 aspect ratio, and a nearly invisible screen crease. It may feature a titanium-and-aluminum chassis, liquid-metal hinge, vapor-chamber cooling, A20 Pro chip, dual 5,400mAh to 5,800mAh batteries, Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, rear wide and ultra wide cameras, dual selfie cameras in hole-punch cutouts, and the Camera Control button, with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. It is also expected to be more repairable than rival foldables.
Episode summary
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Welcome back to The MacRumors Show. I’m ready to quit rumor land and get into what Apple announces next week. Thunder kept me up from one until six, woke the kids, and now school’s closed for heat. Great. My Ultra fear? I chase the shiny thing, then return to the classic iPhone wondering what I was doing.
I think John Ternus takes the lead straight away. Tim’s farewell has happened; he’ll stay around Apple, likely more on policy, but shouldn’t take focus now. It should be a standard iPhone-season event, with watches and probably AirPods 5, with and without active noise cancellation.
AirPods belong beside iPhone, even if they sound like a quiet press-release update. I’m surprised heart-rate tracking may not move down from Pro, but I’ve never needed it outside review testing.
The Watch is not having a thrilling year, but an S11 performance jump after years matters. If Siri can handle basic requests directly on-watch, even offline, that is a better pitch than apps opening faster. Satellite capability may expand too, but a fourth Ultra design in a row is interesting because it is boring.
“Surprise and Shine,” so, sure, loads of surprises. Leaks mean I’m rarely shocked; what gets me is in-hand stuff, like last year’s tougher Ceramic Shield. These watches aren’t bad—if you’ve run a Series 6, 7, or 8 into the ground, this is probably a great upgrade. We’re just weird year-over-year people.
For the 18 Pro, a higher price makes worthwhile refinements harder to sell. A variable-aperture camera could be great for portraits and low light; a smaller Dynamic Island, cleaner rear, and dark cherry or sky blue keep it fresh. Pro Max may gain roughly 500 milliamp hours, trading for a thicker, heavier body. Expect A20 and a revised Camera Control. Still not a dramatic iPhone year.
But the Ultra is the star. If you’re genuinely split between it and a Pro, order both, live with them during the return window, and send one back—only if you’re serious, because supply could be tight. A foldable is something people dismiss until it’s in their hands. I show somebody my Z Fold and they go, “Oh. Oh, okay.”
It is a third category for Apple, not simply the best iPhone. You trade the telephoto camera for extra display space, and there may be a crease, Touch ID instead of Face ID, no physical SIM, and no Action button. Apple’s hinge and dual-battery approach could make it unusually different, while a modular layout may improve repairability—important with moving parts.
Something dumb will happen in week one and become a whole gate, because that is just how this goes. Price will be a big conversation too, though monthly payments make two thousand dollars-plus less horrifying. I don’t expect home products either. We’re under a week out, and I’ll be at the event with live coverage and videos as fast as humanly possible.
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