The largest day of the tech world’s autumn calendar is almost right here: Apple’s iPhone 16 occasion will happen on September 9 at 1PM ET. We’ll be live-blogging the information, and you may watch it stay by way of the corporate’s web site or on YouTube. The largest information from the Apple occasion will virtually positively contain the forthcoming lineup of iPhone 16 handsets. As with all latest Septembers, we additionally anticipate to get a brand new Apple Watch or two — perhaps even three, if Apple squeezes in a brand new SE.
Past that, rumors have been swirling a few refresh of the usual AirPod earbuds, together with updates to Apple’s different product strains. Till Tim Cook dinner takes the (digital) stage, nevertheless, the whole lot is pure hypothesis. With that mentioned, let’s get into the more than likely leaks and rumors forward of the Apple occasion.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional
It doesn’t matter what else occurs, these new handsets will take heart stage through the Apple occasion. That’s excellent news for individuals prepared for an improve. The unhealthy (ish) information? The overwhelming majority of leaks and rumors point out that this can be one other yr of iterative enhancements, so don’t anticipate a game-changing new {hardware} function.
There’s prone to be 4 new fashions introduced on the occasion, which has similarities to what Apple did final yr. The brand new telephones will allegedly be referred to as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, based on trade analyst (and up to date Engadget podcast visitor) Mark Gurman. That is the very same naming conference as final yr’s iPhone 15 reveal, so the rumors of Apple adopting an “iPhone Ultra” moniker appear to have been vastly exaggerated.
Even when Apple would not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions is likely to be getting barely bigger screens, which is at all times good (in the event you like huge telephones, that’s). The common Professional is prone to transfer to six.3 inches from 6.1 inches, whereas the Professional Max ought to hit 6.9 inches, a rise from 6.7 inches. Lastly, there’ll probably be a brand new shade or two, as at all times. Bloomberg’s Gurman means that Apple is able to ditch the blue mannequin in favor of the return of rose gold.
On the {hardware} facet of issues, search for a brand new chipset that takes benefit of the corporate’s latest push towards AI, often known as Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip can be an iterative enchancment, specs-wise. As is typical, the Professional and Professional Max will probably get a extra highly effective chip than the usual fashions. It appears like the bottom quantity of RAM right here can be 8GB, in order to deal with these aforementioned AI duties.
It’s additionally been rumored that the usual iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will get the Motion Button, a function launched final yr for the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct substitute for the mute swap, by default, however may be adjusted to manage a bunch of various issues. The Motion Button can be utilized to to alter ringer settings, activate the flashlight, launch the digital camera and extra.
There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the fitting facet of the cellphone. This may management digital camera options, working like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} tender press will set off autofocus and a tougher press will take a photograph. Customers can also have the ability to swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas capturing photographs or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digital camera button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is smart because the high-end fashions usually provide a extra sturdy digital camera expertise.
To that finish, new iPhones at all times get a digital camera spec bump, however we don’t know precisely what that can appear to be this time. It’s been reported, nevertheless, that the iPhone 16’s digital camera module might be getting a design refresh. Apple is likely to be ditching the sq. and going with a vertical orientation. This may solely apply to the bottom iPhone 16 and perhaps the Plus, because the Professional and Professional Max telephones have a tendency to position a a lot greater emphasis on photographs and movies.
We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, due to the latest WWDC occasion. Based mostly on earlier years, iOS 18 needs to be obtainable inside the week following the occasion. The software program replace includes a extra customizable Management Heart and House Display. It’s going to additionally lastly convey RCS assist to iPhones.
As for Apple Intelligence, you’ll have to attend a bit. It was introduced as a part of iOS 18, nevertheless it’s been delayed till iOS 18.1. This isn’t an enormous deal, as that OS refresh is anticipated in October, however does imply that early adopters of the iPhone 16 received’t have the ability to idiot round with AI straight away.
Apple Watch Collection 10 and Apple Watch Extremely 3
Ever since 2016, iPhone occasions have additionally included a deep dive on the newest Apple Watch. This yr appears to be no totally different. As a matter of truth, it is a huge yr for the Apple Watch. We’re developing on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as as to whether the following entry can be referred to as the Apple Watch Collection 10 or the Collection X.
It doesn’t matter what it finally ends up being referred to as, Apple’s subsequent commonplace smartwatch is reported to have a much bigger display that’s extra according to the Extremely. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm kind issue and introduce a 49mm design.
Rumors have additionally recommended that Apple has utterly redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This may probably make these straps simpler to regulate, however there’s a draw back. This transfer might make it so all of these outdated bands not work.
In fact, there’s going to be a brand new chip to energy these watches, however we don’t have any specifics. It’s been recommended that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s latest foray into AI, however that integration is prone to occur afterward. For now, Apple Intelligence can be tethered to iPhone, iPad and Mac.
There are prone to be two watches revealed on the occasion, that are codenamed N217 and N218. It’s doable considered one of these would be the Apple Watch Extremely 3, although Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch received’t get a significant redesign this day out. It’ll probably be an iterative refresh.
On the software program entrance, it appears like Apple has run into some snags whereas creating long-anticipated well being monitoring instruments. Well being monitoring is without doubt one of the key options of the Apple Watch, so the corporate has been engaged on new sensors to detect hypertension and sleep apnea. Nonetheless, the tech will probably not be prepared for this yr’s smartwatch. Apple’s additionally been creating a glucose sensor for nearly a decade so, who is aware of, perhaps it’ll lastly present up with the Collection X.
Lastly, it’s extremely doable that Apple publicizes a brand new model of the budget-friendly Watch SE. This was final up to date in 2022, so a refresh is overdue. There was some reporting that Apple can be swapping out the aluminum exterior with a inflexible plastic shell. This could assist get prices down even additional. Because it stands, the Apple Watch SE is $250, however Samsung’s most cost-effective wearable is the $200 Galaxy Watch FE. Apple might need to compete nearer to that value vary.
AirPods 4
It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its commonplace earbuds. The AirPods 4 might function each an entry-level mannequin and a mid-tier model, which might successfully substitute AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.
The large information right here is that each AirPods 4 variations are prone to transition to a USB-C case to maintain tempo with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Professional. It’s been recommended that the cheaper of the 2 forthcoming fashions would lack wi-fi charging, however that the mid-tier model would assist this expertise. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is smart.
Each variations ought to function comparable designs, although the mid-tier variant is prone to assist energetic noise cancellation just like the Professional mannequin. Talking of, there’ll probably be no refresh of Apple’s high-end Professional earbuds at this occasion. There’s additionally some thriller surrounding the corporate’s over-ear headphones, AirPods Max. It’s been 4 complete years since these premium cans hit retailer cabinets (they usually’re nonetheless caught utilizing a Lightning port for charging), so a refresh is lengthy overdue.
One last item?
The iPhone occasion doesn’t usually have a “one last thing” second, however there’s one piece of {hardware} that might get a shock shout out. It’s been rumored that Apple is making ready a large redesign of the Mac mini. Analysts have recommended that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop pc and might be across the identical dimension of an Apple TV streaming field.
There’ll reportedly be two variations of the upcoming Mac Mini, one with the usual M4 chip and one other with the extra highly effective M4 Professional chip. The bottom mannequin is rumored to start out delivery from suppliers this month, so it’s doable Apple will spend a couple of minutes on the pc on the iPhone occasion. Nonetheless, don’t rely on it. That is an occasion for iPhones and smartwatches and a miniaturized desktop might really feel misplaced. And, identical to it did final fall, Apple might simply maintain a Mac-specific occasion later this yr.
There’s additionally a variety of noise on-line about an upcoming iPad mini refresh. Apple’s smallest iPad hasn’t had an replace since 2021, and is presently “considered ‘constrained’ internally,” based on Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is prone to come quickly, it is not frequent for Apple to announce iPads throughout its iPhone occasion.
Past that, an entire bunch of software program updates are about to drop. There’s iOS 18, which we’ve written about extensively, and iPadOS 18. As for smartwatches, watchOS 11 can be popping out someday this fall. Apple already detailed all three working methods at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion could be a great time to announce official launch dates.
Replace, August 29 2024, 1:00PM ET: This story has been up to date since its authentic publishing to notice that Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman has guested on the Engadget podcast to debate the newest expectations forward of the Apple occasion.
Replace, August 28 2024, 11:30AM ET: This story has been up to date since its authentic publishing to incorporate the time and date of the Apple occasion, together with particulars from Gurman on the iPad mini being thought of “constrained” by Apple.