Apple presents the 2 nanometer A20 Pro and previews iPhone 18 Pro, foldable and other news at the 'Surprise and Shine' event

Apple's new two-nanometer CPU makes its debut, the A20 Pro, completely redesigned and specialized in "heavy" tasks (such as photo/video processing and gaming) and artificial intelligence, thanks to a dedicated AI accelerator.

Everything is ready in Cupertino for the start of the new Apple event. Journalists, bloggers and influencers arriving from all over the world took their seats inside the Steve Jobs Theater, the large underground auditorium dedicated to the company's founder and designed by the Foster + Partners studio. After the presentation - which usually lasts just under two hours and, since Covid, is broadcast in the form of a film - all those present at Apple's headquarters will be admitted to a special (and very crowded) area where they will be able to preview all the new features first-hand.

In addition to our real-time live blog with commentary, images and technical details updated second by second, the official event is broadcast live from Apple Park. It is possible to follow the video streaming via Apple's official YouTube channel, the Apple Events web page on the official website and through the Apple TV application available on devices in the ecosystem.

There will not only be smartphones filling the lineup of the event which - we remind you - will begin at 7pm. Among the secondary announcements, the presentation of the Apple Watch Series 12 stands out, alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4 variant, oriented towards the integration of biometric sensors for continuous health monitoring. On the audio front, the new AirPods 5 are expected, while persistent rumors indicate possible innovations relating to the smart home, such as a new version of Apple TV or a home hub equipped with a touch display.

For the new generation of iPhone, analysts and previews of the last few days agree on a change of strategy: unlike previous years, today mainly the "Pro" variants of the new iPhone could debut on stage, therefore iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max, while the standard model could slip to the following spring. Key new features in the Pro series are expected to include the introduction of the new A20 Pro processor with 2-nanometer architecture, the proprietary C2 modem for greater power efficiency, and a revised photography module with variable aperture on the main sensor for professional-level control over depth of field.

The most awaited rumor of the day concerns the debut of the first foldable smartphone from Apple (potentially called iPhone Ultra or iPhone Duo). According to supply chain reports, the device adopts a "book-style" form factor with an approximately 7.8-inch flexible foldable internal screen and a compact external display. Apple would have concentrated its efforts on eliminating the central crease via a very high-strength hinge, while accepting an ultra-thin profile that could sacrifice Face ID in favor of the return of side Touch ID and a decidedly premium price range.

Today's Apple "Surprise and Shine" event brings with it sky-high expectations. The rumors on the eve indicate a historic appointment that will break the company's traditional strategies: for the first time there could be a calendar change in the smartphone range, separating the debut of the high-end models from the standard ones. And then all eyes are on the new foldable iPhone. At the center of the spotlight are not only significant hardware updates, but also the first field test of the new management and the native integration of new generation artificial intelligence systems within Cupertino's software.