Mark your calendars, everybody. Apple just sent out invitations for its big fall event on September 9, and this one is a big deal: it'll be the first major iPhone launch with John Ternus running the show as CEO. CNN reports the tagline is "Surprise and shine," and everything points to the biggest design change to the iPhone in years.

I've watched a lot of these September events. My first one was 1984, in a sense, when I sat in my living room watching Steve Jobs pull that first Macintosh out of a bag on television. Every Apple transition since then has felt like a small handoff of the torch, and this one is no different. New CEO, new iPhone, same September tradition.

So what are we actually expecting? The rumors around the iPhone 18 lineup point to a real redesign rather than the gentle yearly nudges we've grown used to. A fresh form factor, display changes, and the camera improvements Samsung has been pressuring Apple on all year. And knowing Apple, there will be at least one "one more thing" moment nobody predicted.

A word of advice from your friendly neighborhood tech aunt: if your current iPhone is on its last legs, hold on a few more weeks. Prices on the previous generation tend to drop the moment this event wraps up, and I'd hate for you to buy something today that's cheaper on September 10. If your phone still works fine, well, technology should work for you until it doesn't. There's no shame in keeping a phone that does everything you need.

I'll be following the event closely, of course, and I promise a proper rundown of what's worth your money and what's just shine, surprise or otherwise. My granddaughter Jess already texted asking if I'll camp out for one, which, honey, I have never once camped out for a phone. I preordered from my couch like a civilized woman.

September 9. Set a reminder, pour yourself a coffee, and we'll sort through it together.