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The iPhone event will be missing some iPhones this year

Macworld Apples fall iPhone event has become one of the easiest product launches to predict. Every year since 2011, weve gotten the full lineup of new iPhones, joined in 2014 by the Apple Watch, and occasionally a related launch like AirPods or Apple Pay. According to strong rumors, this years keynote will be quite different from previous ones. While it will still be an iPhone event, only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumored foldable iPhone Ultra are expected to be announced, along with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. That means there will be a lot of disappointed Apple fans this year. Heres whats not comingand when to expect it to arrive. Dont expect the full iPhone 18 family For years, Apple has announced every flagship iPhone model at the same event in September. But that seems set to change this year as Apple both expands and shifts its iPhone lineup to welcome new models. Multiple reports suggest Apple is splitting its iPhone roadmap into two launch windows. Premium models, including the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max , and the foldable iPhone Ultra , are expected to debut this September. The standard iPhone 18, however, is rumored to arrive several months later, likely alongside the spot usually reserved for the iPhone 18e. Screenshot Apple This would mark a major shift in Apples strategy and will make the September keynote much more of a Pro event than a simple iPhone event as we know it today. From Apples perspective, the move makes sense. Launching six phones at once inevitably means some products receive far less attention than others. Separating the lineup gives Apple two opportunities each year to dominate the smartphone conversation while also simplifying manufacturing and supply chain logistics. For buyers, though, it creates a different problem. If youre interested in Apples more affordable phones, the September keynote may not have much to offer. That means youll probably have to wait much longer to buy the phone you want. No iPhone Air 2 just yet Another notable omission from this years September keynote is likely to be the iPhone Air. Apple spent a lot of time talking about its new ultra-thin iPhone last year. This time, however, rumors suggest that we wont see a new Air alongside the new iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra. Instead, Apple reportedly plans to keep the current iPhone Air on the market for a few more months before introducing a new model in the spring with the 18 and 18e. Since this is the first update, this would put the Air on a slower update cycle, more similar to products like the iPad Pro, rather than the standard iPhone lineup, though its unclear whether the 3rd-gen model would arrive next spring or the following fall. A longer update cadence makes sense if you consider what the Air represents. Its less about chasing annual performance gains and more about offering a unique design for people who prioritize thinness above everything else. Also, according to multiple sources, Apple is still exploring ways to improve the iPhone Airs hardware in light of the models low sales figures. The Apple Watch SE 3 will likely stick around for another year. Chris Martin / Foundry The next Apple Watch SE skips another year Another Apple product that doesnt follow a regular update cycle is the Apple Watch SE . Last year, Apple updated its most affordable smartwatch with the latest chip and an always-on display, while keeping the same Series 4-based design introduced with the original Apple Watch SE in 2020. Those waiting for a new version of the Apple Watch SE will likely have to wait another year, as there are no rumors of a new SE model coming out this fall. Thats not a surprise, as Apple has never updated the Apple Watch SE in back-to-back years. At $249, the Apple Watch SE is still an easy recommendation for first-time Apple Watch buyers, but its becoming increasingly hard to ignore just how outdated it looks compared to the flagship models. Exciting announcements coming this fall Although it may seem that this years September event might feature fewer products than usual, its still shaping up to be the most exciting iPhone event in years. Apple is reportedly preparing its biggest iPhone shake-up in years with the debut of the foldable iPhone Ultra, while the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to introduce new camera hardware and other refinements. There are also expected to be a new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, as well as new Siri AI features reserved for the new devices. Apple is likely launching is first folding phone in September. Foundry There could be some surprises too. A recent leak revealed that Apple is preparing to introduce new AirPods models at the iPhone event, including an entirely new version with built-in cameras to enable AI features. Apple could also use the event to launch its long-rumored smart home push , including the so-called HomePad home hub as well as a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini. Finally, Apple is also working on a new iPad mini with an OLED display and a faster chip, as well as an Apple Intelligence update to the entry-level iPad, either of which could make an appearance at the September event. But if youve been holding out for an iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, iPhone Air 2, or a new Apple Watch SE, you may need to keep waiting just a little longer. Thats becoming the new normal for Apple: Fewer products per keynote, but more launches spread throughout the year.

19 Aug 2026 4:00 pm