Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld analyzes Apple’s upcoming event schedule, predicting a September 2026 iPhone launch event likely occurring September 8 or 9, featuring the iPhone 18 lineup and new Apple Watch models.
- The analysis covers Apple’s evolving event strategy, including traditional keynotes, hands-on experiences, and press releases, with WWDC 2027 expected to begin June 7.
- Key anticipated products include iPhone 18 Pro with potential folding iPhone Ultra, Apple Watch Series 12, M6 MacBook Air, and possible late-fall Mac or iPad updates.
Apple’s WWDC keynote may be long behind us now, but Apple’s event calendar for 2026 is far from finished. With iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and the latest Apple Intelligence and Siri updates now unveiled, attention is turning to the company’s next big launch.
Apple rarely confirms event dates far in advance, and there’s no guarantee an event will take place within its usual window. That leaves Apple fans – and anyone considering a new Apple device – wondering when the next Apple event will happen and what might be announced.
Luckily, Apple’s annual schedule is predictable, giving us a good idea of when the next keynote will happen – and which products are likely to launch. Based on Apple’s long-established schedule and reliable rumours, we can make informed estimates about when the next keynote is likely and which products could headline it.
From the iPhone 18 lineup and new Apple Watches to potential Mac and iPad updates, here’s everything we know about Apple’s next event and what you can expect to see. Read on for a closer look at all of the events Apple is expected to hold in 2026 and beyond, and what could launch.
When is Apple’s next event?
- Beginning of September (expected)
Apple has not yet announced the date of its next event, although the company has asked Apple Store staff to apply for the ” Event Support Experience Program.” Employees enter a lottery for the opportunity to assist with an Apple event scheduled for the first half of September.
Based on Apple’s typical event schedule, we expect the company’s next event to be the annual iPhone launch in September 2026.
Looking at Apple’s event history over the past several years, we predict the September event will take place during the week beginning September 7, with September 8 or 9 the most likely dates, although it could be pushed back to September 15.
As in previous years, Apple is expected to livestream the event, allowing viewers around the world to watch the company unveil its latest products. One notable change this year is that the keynote is expected to be hosted by John Ternus, who is set to succeed Tim Cook as Apple’s CEO following Cook’s retirement
Apple event calendar 2026
| Timescale | Event theme | Dates | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Special Experience | 2-4 March | Launched: iPhone 17e, MacBooks Neo, Pro & Air, iPad Air |
| June | WWDC | June 8 | Expected: iOS, macOS, other software, Mac updates, AI news |
| September | [iPhone event] | TBC | Expected: iPhone 18, new Apple Watch |
| October or November | [Late fall event] | TBC | Possible: Macs and iPads? |
Apple has held two events so far in 2026, although the first was not an event in the traditional sense. On March 4, the company invited select media to hands-on “experiences” in multiple locations. In the run-up to that date, Apple also launched several products via press release, including the iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, and MacBook Pro M5 Pro and M5 Max, M5 MacBook Air and the MacBook Neo.
The second event was WWDC, which began with a keynote on June 8. At the WWDC keynote Apple outlined the upcoming changes to its operating systems, including iOS 27 and macOS 27 Golden Gate.
Looking ahead to the fall, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, a foldable iPhone Ultra, and more at an Apple event in September.
A second, late-fall event in October or November is possible, though less certain and typically focused on Macs or iPads.
Here’s when the 2026 Apple events might take place.
Foundry
FAQ
What will Apple announce at the next event?
Apple’s September event is the biggest and most watched Apple event of the year. It’s the venue at which Apple unveils the new iPhones and Apple Watches for the next year.
We expect Apple to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple Watch Series 12 at a September event. Apple may also reveal the new folding iPhone, thought to be called the iPhone Ultra.
Rumors also point to a new and improved HomePod and Apple TV. The iPad and iPad mini are also overdue an update so may arrive at the same event.
We may also see updates to the Mac Studio and Mac mini.
What time does the next Apple event start in U.S., U.K. and other global time zones
Apple keynotes usually start at 10 am PT. That translates to the following times in the countries where most of our readers live:
- U.S.: 10 am PDT, 11 am MDT, 12 pm CDT, 1 pm EDT
- Canada: as above, plus 2 pm ADT
- U.K.: 6 pm
- Europe: 7 pm CEST, 8 pm EEST
- India: 10:30 pm IST
- Australia: next day — 1 am AWST, 2:30 am ACST, 3 am AEST
- New Zealand: next day — 5 am NZST
The timings are generally the same for all Apple Keynotes, but can be slightly different if Apple holds the event during the period of a couple of weeks when the clocks have changed in the U.S. but not elsewhere (in 2026 the clocks will change in the U.S. on November 1, while in the U.K. they change on October 25).
Sometimes Apple holds events at different times, for example, in October 2023 the event was held in late afternoon in San Francisco, which meant it was midnight in the U.K.
If Apple doesn’t hold an event and instead just issues a press release that usually happens around 8 am PT, 11 am ET and 4 pm U.K. time.
How long do Apple events usually last?
Apple keynotes usually last between one and two hours and feature CEO Tim Cook along with various other Apple executives – with Apple’s John Ternus, stepping into the CEO role in September 2026, it is likely we will see more of Ternus in future keynotes.
WWDC and the September event tend to be longer keynotes; the spring and late-fall events can be slightly shorter.
For example, the September 2024 event was 1 hour 38 minutes.
How often does Apple hold events?
There can be as many as four Apple events in a year:
- Spring Event
- WWDC in June
- iPhone Event in September
- Late Fall Event in October
This event calendar is by no means set in stone, though, with the spring and October events being less regular. Some years, Apple doesn’t hold a spring event at all. In 2025 Apple only held two events preferring instead to announce new products via press release.
Does Apple take part in other events?
Apple doesn’t participate in big industry-wide events such as CES, IFA or E3. Instead Apple invites the press and industry professionals to Apple Park to hear all about its latest products and services. Apple calls these ‘events’ and it streams them live online to millions of viewers.
Does Apple ever announce products without an event?
Apple frequently announces products without a keynote event, often opting for press releases or multi-day announcement windows. In recent years, the company has increasingly reserved its large-scale media events for major flagship launches, such as the primary iPhone lineup in September, while using press releases for iterative updates or “chip bumps” that may not warrant a full hour-long presentation.
How to watch an Apple event
Apple events are typically broadcast across several digital platforms, allowing viewers to tune in from almost any device. While the company previously restricted access to its own hardware or the Safari browser, these barriers have been removed in recent years.
You can access live Apple presentations through the following official channels:
- YouTube: This is often considered the easiest way to watch. Apple streams its keynotes live on its official YouTube channel, which can be accessed via any web browser or the YouTube app on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs .
- Apple.com: The company hosts a dedicated “Events” page on its official website. For the best experience on a PC, it is recommended to use Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 or later .
- Apple TV App: The stream is available within the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV hardware. Keynotes are usually listed in the app’s lineup a day or two before the event begins .
- Apple Podcasts: Apple also showcases its events through the Podcasts app on Apple devices, where you can watch the video presentation
You may also like to tune in to our Live Blog which will provide minute-by-minute text updates and analysis as products are announced.
Following the end of the event, detailed breakdowns will also be available on the Macworld Podcast, which can be found on Spotify, Soundcloud, and Apple Podcasts.
When is the iPhone 18 event and what will launch?
Apple
When is the iPhone event?
Apple’s iPhone launch event has become a regular fixture in September (aside from 2020 event when it was delayed until October – and the early January launches).
In recent years the event has been held on September 9, so we could see Apple make the unveiling in the week of September 7 in 2026, with the event perhaps taking place on September 8 or 9.
What will Apple launch at the September 2026 event?
We can be pretty confident that at least one new iPhone will launch in late 2026, although there may be some changes to the line up: we may see the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max launch in September, but the iPhone 18 may be held back until the spring of 2027. There are also rumors of a folding iPhone – aka iPhone Ultra launching in September.
Alongside the new iPhone 18 Pro we may see new Apple Watches. In 2026 the Apple Watch Series 12 should get a chip update, since the Series 11 is using the same chip as the Series 10 did. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 is said to be getting a fingerprint scanner.
Apple is also rumored to have some upgrades coming to the HomePod and Apple TV to better equip them for Siri AI.
Find out more about the September iPhone event in our dedicated article.
Will Apple have a second fall event in 2026?
Apple
Will there be a late fall event in 2026
The last time Apple held a late fall event was October 30, 2023, and before that October 18, 2021. So a late fall event isn’t unprecedented, but it is uncommon. Right now there is no way of knowing if Apple will hold a late fall event in 2026, or indeed, if it ever will again. Usually this event is to launch consumer Macs, but in recent years Apple hasn’t felt the need to hold an event to do that. Nearer the time we will know if there are big things planned that might warrant an event.
What will Apple launch at the late fall 2026 event?
Mac or iPad launches are the most likely reasons for an Apple event during this timeframe, but Apple has not felt the need to hold a dedicated Mac event since the “Scary Fast” presentation in 2023, when it introduced the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips alongside updated MacBook Pro models. There could still be Mac-related announcements this year, particularly if Apple has yet to refresh the Mac mini or Mac Studio. The rumored touchscreen MacBook Pro could also make an appearance.
The timing of any new Mac releases will likely depend on whether the supply chain has fully recovered from the component shortages that have affected the industry throughout the year. These shortages have also lead Apple to raise prices for iPads and Macs.
As for iPads, a new iPad or iPad mini are long overdue, so an October event would be a likely venue for those launches, if they don’t arrive in September.
For more information about Apple’s late fall events read: Apple’s October Event: Date, time and what will launch.
Will Apple hold a spring event in 2027?
Michael Simon / Foundry
Apple’s spring events have become increasingly unpredictable. The company has not held a traditional spring event since May 2024, although it did invite members of the media, including Macworld, to a “Special Apple Experience” in 2026.
Rather than a keynote presentation, the March 4, 2026 gathering was a hands-on showcase that followed three days of product announcements, including the MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, and M5 MacBook Air.
Will Apple take a similar approach to spring product launches in 2027? It’s certainly possible. The format appeared to work well, allowing each product announcement to receive its own media coverage rather than competing for attention during a single event.
Apple is expected to Apple will release three iPhone models in spring 2027:
- iPhone 18 (base model)
- iPhone 18e
- iPhone Air 2
Apple may also update the MacBook Air with an M6 processor in spring 2027. A report from early August 2026 notes that Apple is currently struggling with memory shortages that are impacting MacBook Air stock, and the M6 update is seen as a potential, though not guaranteed, fix for the supply issues.
When is WWDC 2027
Foundry
When is the WWDC keynote?
In 2026 the WWDC keynote was on Monday June 8. In 2025 it started on Monday June 9. We expect WWDC will start on Monday 7 June in 2027.
WWDC generally runs from the Monday to Friday in the second week of June.
What Apple could launch at WWDC
WWDC is Apple’s big developer event at which it reveals plans for the operating systems that run on Apple hardware.
In June 2027 we expect Apple to unveil details of the iOS 28, iPadOS 28, the new macOS 28, updates to watchOS, tvOS, HomePod software, and an update to Apple’s realityOS.
Apple sometimes announces new hardware at WWDC, usually the high end models targeted at power users, so we could see new Macs.
Following the keynote on the Monday, developer events and sessions will run throughout the week. You can read more about WWDC date, times and everything you need to know in a separate article.
What did Apple launch at past events
So far in 2026 Apple has held an ‘experience’, which rather than being an event in the traditional sense, was a chance for journalists to get a look at products Apple had launched in the days prior, including MacBook Neo and iPhone 17e. The company also hosted the WWDC keynote on June 8, at which it revealed it’s plans for Apple Intelligence and Siri in iOS 27, macOS 27 and the other operating systems.
In 2025 Apple only held two events. The first was its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, at which it introduced the new features coming in the next version of its operating systems, and the second was the huge September 9 Apple Event where it launched new Apple Watches, new AirPods Pro and the new iPhones for 2025.
Apple doesn’t have to hold an event to launch new products though. Prior to WWDC, Apple launched a new iPhone 16e via press release on February 19, a new iPad and iPad Air via press release on March 4, and a new MacBook Air and Mac Studio on March 5.
Apple then went on to launch a new M5 MacBook Pro and M5 iPad Pro in October. No event was held to mark these launches.
In 2024, Apple held three events: one on Tuesday, May 7, at which it launched new iPads; a keynote to kick off WWDC on June 10; and an event on September 9 at which Apple unveiled the new iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10 and the AirPods 4. In October 2024 there was no event, but Apple did announce new products (iMac, Mac mini and MacBook Pro) via press release.
In 2023 there were three events: WWDC in June, an iPhone event in September, and Apple’s second fall event on October 30 (or after midnight on October 31 if you weren’t in the U.S.).
In 2022 Apple held three events: a spring event on March 8, WWDC on June 6, and the iPhone 14 launch on September 7. In other years Apple has held four events though.
Foundry
When were Apple’s past events?
Spring Apple events have been held on the following dates:
- 2026: ‘Experience’ Wednesday March 4
- 2025: No event
- 2024: Tuesday May 7
- 2023: No event
- 2022: Tuesday March 8
- 2021: Tuesday April 20
- 2020: No event
- 2019: Monday March 25
- 2018: Tuesday March 27
- 2017: No event
- 2016: Monday March 21
- 2015: Monday March 9
- 2014: No event
- 2013: No event
- 2012: Wednesday March 7
WWDC events have fallen on the following dates:
- WWDC 2026: June 8 (8-12)
- WWDC 2025: June 9 (9-13)
- WWDC 2024: June 10 (10-14)
- WWDC 2023: June 5 (5-9)
- WWDC 2022: June 6 (6-10)
- WWDC 2021: June 7 (7-11)
- WWDC 2020: June 22 (22-26)
- WWDC 2019: June 3 (3-7)
- WWDC 2018: June 4 (4-8)
- WWDC 2017: June 5 (5-9)
Here are the past few Apple September event dates:
- 2025: Tuesday, September 9
- 2024: Monday, September 9
- 2023: Tuesday, September 12
- 2022: Wednesday, September 7
- 2021: Tuesday, September 14
- 2020: Tuesday, September 15
- 2019: Tuesday, September 10
- 2018: Wednesday, September 12
- 2017: Tuesday, September 12
In the past, Apple has held a second fall event on the following dates:
- 2025: No event
- 2024: No event
- 2023: Monday, October 30
- 2022: No event
- 2021: Monday, October 18
- 2020: Tuesday, October 13 and Tuesday, November 10
- 2019: No event
- 2018: Tuesday, October 30
- 2017: No event
- 2016: Thursday, October 27
- 2015: No event
- 2014: Thursday, October 16
- 2013: Tuesday, October 22
- 2012: Tuesday, October 23
- 2011: Tuesday, October 4
