Apple's M6 iMac and iPhone 18 Pro Max: What to Expect from the 'Surprise and Shine' Event
Apple's September event is usually predictable.
New iPhones. New Apple Watches. A few surprises.
2026 looks very different.
Apple's “Surprise and shine” event is confirmed for September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with Apple also listing the event for 10:30 PM IST in India. More importantly, this will be the first major iPhone launch under new CEO John Ternus following Tim Cook's move to executive chairman.
And while the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are almost certain to dominate the show, there is another interesting piece of Apple's 2026 hardware roadmap: the rumored M6 iMac.
There's just one catch.
Don't expect the M6 iMac at this event.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max Is the Main Event
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to remain Apple's biggest traditional smartphone, with the same 6.9-inch display size as its predecessor. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain a 6.3-inch panel.
But Apple appears to be focusing on improvements underneath that familiar design.
The biggest upgrade could be the A20 Pro chip, reportedly manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process. The move should bring improvements in both performance and power efficiency, although Apple won't confirm the final specifications until the event.
That's particularly interesting because the 2nm transition isn't simply about making the phone faster.
For a device like the Pro Max, better efficiency could translate into longer battery life while maintaining high performance.
And that's arguably more useful than another benchmark record.
A20 Pro Could Be Apple's Biggest Upgrade
The A20 Pro is shaping up to be one of the most important parts of the iPhone 18 Pro story.
Rumors point toward Apple's first 2nm smartphone chip, alongside new packaging technology that could improve performance and efficiency. Some reports also suggest the chip could use a wafer-level multi-chip module approach.
In practical terms, the interesting question isn't whether the A20 Pro will beat the A19 Pro.
It almost certainly will.
The question is how much of that extra performance Apple can turn into better AI processing, camera performance and battery efficiency.
That's where the chip upgrade could become noticeable in everyday use.
The Display Upgrade May Be More Subtle
Don't expect Apple to suddenly give the Pro Max a dramatically larger screen.
The display is expected to remain 6.9 inches.
Instead, Apple could improve the technology behind it.
One of the biggest rumors is a move to LTPO+, an evolution of the low-temperature polycrystalline oxide technology already used for ProMotion and always-on display features. The newer implementation is expected to improve efficiency and potentially reduce flicker during low-brightness use.
Then there's the Dynamic Island.
Multiple reports suggest Apple could make it narrower, potentially by moving some Face ID components underneath the display. However, reports disagree on exactly how much the Dynamic Island will shrink, so this remains firmly in rumor territory.
In other words, this year's display upgrade may be less about more pixels and more about making the existing experience cleaner and more efficient.
The Pro Max Camera Could Get More Flexible
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could also receive one of the more interesting camera changes in years.
Rumors point to a variable-aperture main camera, potentially allowing the lens to control how much light enters the sensor rather than relying on a fixed aperture. Some reports suggest this feature could be exclusive to the Pro Max.
There's also talk of a new stacked camera sensor that could improve responsiveness, noise handling and dynamic range.
If those upgrades arrive, Apple's pitch becomes less about simply increasing megapixels and more about giving the camera greater control over different shooting conditions.
What About the M6 iMac?
This is where the original event expectations need a little correction.
The M6 iMac is rumored - but it is not currently expected to be part of the September 9 presentation.
Apple is reportedly preparing an updated 24-inch iMac with an M6 chip and new colors, but current reporting points toward a separate Mac announcement later in 2026 or a release through a press release.
That actually makes sense.
Apple's September event is traditionally focused on the iPhone and Apple Watch, while Macs tend to receive their own announcements later in the year.
So if you're waiting for an M6 iMac, September 9 probably isn't the day to expect it.
But the refresh itself remains interesting.
The current iMac generation launched with the M4 chip in October 2024, meaning an M6 update would give Apple's all-in-one desktop another major silicon jump after two generations of Apple Silicon development.
And Then There's the Foldable iPhone
There's one enormous wildcard hanging over this event.
Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone, potentially called the iPhone Ultra.
Reports describe a book-style design with a roughly 5.5-inch outer display and approximately 7.8-inch internal display when unfolded. It is also expected to use the A20 Pro.
That could easily become the biggest announcement of the entire event.
Which creates an interesting situation for the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Apple may be introducing its most advanced traditional iPhone at the same time as a completely new iPhone category.
The Pro Max therefore needs to offer enough improvements to remain the safe premium choice, while the foldable targets customers willing to pay for something radically different.
What Happens Next?
The most important thing to remember going into September 9 is that not everything rumored belongs to the same launch window.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to be there.
The A20 Pro is one of the strongest recurring rumors.
Display improvements and camera changes are heavily reported but remain unconfirmed until Apple announces them.
And the M6 iMac?
That's probably a later story.
Apple's own event page confirms the September 9 presentation, but it hasn't revealed the product lineup. Everything beyond that should be treated as expectation rather than fact until the keynote begins.
That uncertainty is exactly what makes this year's event so interesting.
For once, the biggest surprise might actually be the surprise.
🍎 The Bottom Line
Apple's “Surprise and shine” event is shaping up to be much bigger than a routine iPhone refresh.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could bring Apple's A20 Pro 2nm chip, a more efficient LTPO+ display, a smaller Dynamic Island and potentially a variable-aperture camera. Meanwhile, the rumored M6 iMac remains part of Apple's 2026 roadmap - but current reports suggest it will arrive separately rather than on September 9.
And then there's Apple's first foldable iPhone waiting in the wings.
September 9 could be the beginning of Apple's biggest hardware transition in years.
What are you watching most closely - the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the foldable iPhone, or the eventual M6 iMac?
