September 2026 has been a big month for Apple. The company changed its chief executive and then held an unusual iPhone event. Here is a quick, sourced summary.
A new CEO on 1 September
Apple announced on 20 April 2026 that Tim Cook would become executive chairman of its board and that John Ternus would become CEO, both effective on 1 September. Apple's own announcement says the board approved the plan unanimously after a long-term succession process, and its filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission confirms the dates.
Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and had been its senior vice president of hardware engineering since 2021. He took over on 1 September, the first day of the new arrangement, while Cook stayed on as executive chairman. When the change was announced, CNBC reported that Apple was worth about $4 trillion.
The "Surprise and shine" event
Apple held its September event on 9 September, and it was the first one led by the new CEO. According to Fox Business, Apple showed:
- its first foldable iPhone
- the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
- the Apple Watch Series 12
- AirPods 5
Fox Business also reported starting prices of $1,199 for the iPhone 18 Pro and $1,299 for the Pro Max. Outlets used different names for the foldable in their coverage, so check Apple's website for the final product name and price.
Why memory prices matter
Before the event, the research firm TrendForce expected iPhone prices to rise by roughly 10 to 20 percent because memory chips have become much more expensive. That is a reminder that the AI boom does not only affect software. It also pushes up the cost of the hardware in your pocket.
What students and developers can take from it
- New form factors such as foldables mean apps may need layouts that adapt to more screen shapes.
- Leadership changes at a company this size often shape its product priorities, so it is worth following how Apple talks about AI under its new CEO.
Sources
- Apple newsroom: Tim Cook to become executive chairman, John Ternus to become CEO
- CNBC: Apple names John Ternus CEO
- Fox Business: Apple unveils its first foldable iPhone and iPhone 18 Pro lineup
- MacRumors: iPhone 18 Pro price estimates ahead of the event
Product details can change after launch. This post was written on 20 September 2026.