September has formally arrived, and with the brand new month comes the tip of summer time and the start of a busy fall for Apple. Within the weeks forward, there are a number of key dates to anticipate for Apple followers, even past the key iPhone 17 occasion set for September 9.
Tuesday, September 9: Awe Dropping occasion
Apple’s annual fall keynote kicks off at 10 am PT/1 pm ET on Tuesday, September 9. The corporate is anticipated to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, together with the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, alongside Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Extremely 3.
Different bulletins will seemingly embody new AirPods Professional 3, TechWoven iPhone circumstances, Crossbody Strap equipment for iPhone 17 circumstances, and a redesigned Apple Clear Case. We also needs to count on new Apple Watch band types and colours.
Probability Miller and I will likely be on location at Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park for this 12 months’s iPhone/Apple Watch occasion. Look out for our hands-on protection of all the brand new {hardware} from Cupertino shortly after the keynote livestream concludes!
Tuesday, September 9: iOS 26 launch candidates
Following the occasion, builders and public beta testers ought to count on the discharge candidate builds of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26. This can most likely occur round 12:30 pm PT/3:30 pm ET. Xcode RC sometimes arrives on the similar time, and App Retailer Join often opens for iOS 26 submissions that afternoon.
Through the keynote, we also needs to study when Apple plans to formally launch iOS 26 and the opposite software program updates, together with new variations of HomePod and AirPods software program.
Friday, September 12: iPhone 17 and Apple Watch Sequence 11 preorders
Friday morning at 5 am PT/8 am ET, Apple is anticipated to open preorders for iPhone 17 fashions and new Apple Watch {hardware}. Count on carriers to roll out up to date trade-in promotions forward of time. Clients utilizing the iPhone Improve Program can often full pre-approvals within the days main as much as preorder morning.
Monday, September 15: Anticipated software program launch date
The official delivery variations of iOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26 and different fall software program updates are more likely to arrive early the next week. In recent times, Apple has pushed the updates on the primary Monday after the iPhone occasion, and the identical cadence is anticipated this time.
Monday, September 15–17: Doubtless overview embargoes
Within the days main as much as launch, the embargo for iPhone 17, Apple Watch Sequence 11, and AirPods Professional 3 critiques is anticipated to carry. Apple has traditionally timed embargo drops for Monday by Wednesday of launch week, giving the press an opportunity to publish deep dives into new merchandise earlier than gadgets truly ship.
In 2024, the overview embargo for AirPods 4 lifted on Monday, Apple Watch Sequence 10 lifted on Tuesday, and iPhone 16 and 16 Plus/16 Professional and 16 Professional Max lifted on Wednesday. Will these dates repeat for AirPods Professional 3, Apple Watch Sequence 11 and Extremely 3, and iPhone 17 and 17 Air/ and 17 Professional/17 Professional Max?
Friday, September 19: Launch day
Friday, September 19, is broadly anticipated to be the primary day of in-store availability for iPhone 17 and Apple Watch Sequence 11. Preorders will arrive on prospects’ doorsteps, and Apple Shops will host the same old early-morning crowds.
We will additionally count on iOS 26.0.1 to reach earlier than the tip of September, and developer beta testers may see iOS 26.1 beta 1 earlier than the month concludes.
Past September
Wanting ahead to October, there’s at all times an opportunity for a second fall Apple occasion, though press releases for remaining {hardware} updates appear simply as seemingly.
Apple may nonetheless replace the iPad Professional to the unannounced M5 chip, Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional may see an M4 or M5 chip improve from M2, and M5 MacBook Professional configurations haven’t been dominated out for a 2025 launch, though they is probably not prepared till spring 2026. We might study extra about when every of those product will arrive by rumors and reporting in September.
As ever, the launch of 1 new spherical of iPhones at all times opens the door to a brand new spherical of iPhone rumors for the next 12 months. The large iPhone information of 2026 is that Apple may launch its first foldable iPhone, and the design will seemingly take nice inspiration from the iPhone 17 Air. Keep tuned for that and extra as 9to5Mac brings you the most recent breaking Apple information all through September.
What are you most excited to see from Apple this month? Drop your ideas within the feedback.
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