— Apple’s September keynote on will center on the iPhone 17 and new wearables, but several rumored devices — from a follow-up affordable iPhone to refreshed Macs and HomePod hardware — are unlikely to debut at next week’s event.
Key Takeaways
- Apple’s Sept. 9 event is expected to introduce the iPhone 17, Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, iPhone 17 Air and likely AirPods Pro 3.
- The next budget “e” iPhone is likely reserved for a spring release, following Apple’s historical timing.
- Major Mac updates (M4 Mac Pro, M5 MacBooks) are typically announced separately and some M5 laptops may be delayed to 2026.
- New iPad models are expected in early 2026 rather than at the September iPhone event.
- An AirPods Max generational update is rumored much later (reports point to 2027).
- HomePod hub work and a smart-home push appear pushed into 2026; a new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K may arrive by end of 2025.
- A refreshed Vision Pro (M5) is more likely to appear alongside other M5 Macs later in 2025, not at the iPhone keynote.
Verified Facts
Apple has scheduled its fall hardware keynote for , where the company traditionally launches new iPhones and related mobile accessories. Reports and leaks consolidate on the iPhone 17 lineup, updated Apple Watch models and the next AirPods Pro as the main slate for that event.
The next “e” model phone — the lower-cost line that succeeded the old SE model — has followed a spring release cadence historically: March 2016 (iPhone SE), April 2020 (SE 2), March 2022 (SE 3), and the iPhone 16e in February 2025. Industry reporting from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicates Apple will likely keep that timing for the next affordable iPhone.
Mac hardware announcements tend to be staged separately from Apple’s September program. Rumors point to an M4 Mac Pro and M5-powered Macs coming later; several sources suggest some M5 MacBook Pro models could slip into 2026. MacRumors and other outlets have flagged possible delays for certain M5 laptops.
iPad updates are similarly grouped with Mac rollouts or spring events. Multiple reports expect a wave of iPads — including lower-end models and M4-equipped tablets — to land in early 2026 rather than at the Sept. 9 keynote.
On accessories and other categories, an AirPods Max full generational refresh is widely reported to be farther out (some outlets point to 2027). Work on a HomePod smart-home hub has been described as delayed into 2026 so Apple can better integrate new Apple Intelligence features, while a refreshed HomePod mini and a new Apple TV 4K remain possible before year-end.
Context & Impact
Apple groups product launches by category to give each family its own spotlight and logistics. September historically highlights iPhone and wearables; Macs and pro-focused products usually receive separate events in October or spring. That cadence shapes consumer expectations and inventory cycles.
For buyers: if you’re shopping for Macs, iPads, or a lower-cost iPhone, it may pay to wait for separate Mac/iPad announcements or a spring window for the “e” model. For accessory updates, expect incremental refreshes sooner and larger overhauls later (e.g., AirPods Max and HomePod hub).
For developers and enterprise customers, the timing matters because platform-level upgrades (like a Vision Pro refresh or M5 Macs) can shift software optimization priorities and testing schedules. Vendors that supply Apple accessories should also watch the staged rollout to align inventory and marketing.
Near-term expectations
- Sept. 9: iPhone 17 and wearables focus.
- Late 2025: possible HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K refreshes.
- Early 2026: iPads and some Mac announcements; potential iPhone “e” release.
“Apple’s September events typically emphasize iPhone and wearables, while Macs and pro devices are showcased separately.”
Apple product-launch pattern (industry reporting)
Unconfirmed
- Exact timing for the M5 MacBook Pro — some reports point to a 2026 launch, but dates are not finalized.
- Whether Apple will briefly tease M5-era products or Vision Pro updates during the Sept. 9 keynote remains unconfirmed.
- Precise feature set and timing for the HomePod smart-home hub are still speculative; multiple outlets report shifts to 2026.
Bottom Line
Expect Apple’s Sept. 9 keynote to concentrate on the iPhone 17 family, updated Watches and likely new AirPods. Several high-profile items — a new budget iPhone, major Mac and iPad refreshes, AirPods Max generational updates and the HomePod hub — are more likely to appear at separate events or later in 2025–2026. If you plan to buy a Mac, iPad or the next inexpensive iPhone, waiting for the dedicated announcements could offer clearer choices.