The largest day of the tech world’s fall calendar is almost right here: Apple’s iPhone 16 occasion will happen someday in September. The corporate usually does it on a Tuesday throughout the first half of the month, so September 10 is a secure wager. Regardless of when it occurs, we’ll be live-blogging the information, and you’ll watch it dwell through the corporate’s web site or on YouTube. The largest information from the occasion will nearly positively contain the forthcoming lineup of iPhone 16 handsets. Previous as prologue, we’ll additionally get a brand new Apple Watch or two.
Past that, rumors have been swirling a couple of refresh of the usual AirPod earbuds. Till Tim Cook dinner takes the (digital) stage, nonetheless, every thing is pure hypothesis. With that mentioned, let’s get into the more than likely leaks and rumors forward of the occasion.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional
It doesn’t matter what else occurs, these new handsets will take heart stage throughout the Apple iPhone 16 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 might be one other yr of iterative enhancements, so don’t anticipate a game-changing new {hardware} characteristic.
There’s more likely 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, in line with trade analyst 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 tremendously exaggerated.
Even when Apple would not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions could be getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (in the event you like large telephones, that’s). The common Professional is more likely 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 seemingly be a brand new coloration or two, as all the time. Bloomberg’s Gurman means that Apple is able to ditch the blue mannequin in favor of the return of rose gold.
On the {hardware} aspect of issues, search for a brand new chipset that takes benefit of the corporate’s current push towards AI, also called Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip might be an iterative enchancment, specs-wise. As is typical, the Professional and Professional Max will seemingly get a extra highly effective chip than the usual fashions. It appears like the bottom quantity of RAM right here might 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 characteristic launched final yr for the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct alternative for the mute change, by default, however will be adjusted to regulate a bunch of various issues. The Motion Button can be utilized to to vary ringer settings, activate the flashlight, launch the digicam and extra.
There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the precise aspect of the telephone. It will management digicam options, working like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} tender press will set off autofocus and a more durable press will take a photograph. Customers may additionally have the ability to swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas capturing pictures or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digicam button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is smart for the reason that high-end fashions usually provide a extra sturdy digicam expertise.
To that finish, new iPhones all the time get a digicam spec bump, however we don’t know precisely what that can seem like this time. It’s been reported, nonetheless, that the iPhone 16’s digicam module may very well be getting a design refresh. Apple could 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 increased emphasis on pictures and movies.
We already know what’s approaching the software program aspect of issues, due to the current WWDC occasion. Based mostly on earlier years, iOS 18 ought to be obtainable throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace incorporates a extra customizable Management Middle and Dwelling Display. It’s going to additionally lastly carry RCS assist to iPhones.
As for Apple Intelligence, you’ll have to attend a bit. It was introduced as a part of iOS 18, but it surely’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 instantly.
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 completely different. As a matter of reality, it is a large yr for the Apple Watch. We’re developing on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as as to if the following entry might 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 customary smartwatch is reported to have an even bigger display that’s extra consistent with the Extremely. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm type issue and introduce a 49mm design.
Rumors have additionally prompt that Apple has utterly redesigned the band system and added new connectors. It will seemingly make these straps simpler to regulate, however there’s a draw back. This transfer may make it so all of these previous 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 prompt that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s current foray into AI, however that integration is more likely to occur afterward. For now, Apple Intelligence might be tethered to iPhone, iPad and Mac.
There are more likely to be two watches revealed on the occasion, that are codenamed N217 and N218. It’s doable certainly one of these would be the Apple Watch Extremely 3, although Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch received’t get a serious redesign this outing. It’ll seemingly 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 seemingly 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 broadcasts 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 might 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 least expensive wearable is the $200 Galaxy Watch FE. Apple could wish to compete nearer to that value vary.
AirPods 4
It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its customary earbuds. The AirPods 4 may characteristic 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 more likely to transition to a USB-C case to maintain tempo with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Professional. It’s been prompt that the cheaper of the 2 forthcoming fashions would lack wi-fi charging, however that the mid-tier model would assist this know-how. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is smart.
Each variations ought to characteristic related designs, although the mid-tier variant is more likely to assist energetic noise cancellation just like the Professional mannequin. Talking of, there’ll seemingly 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 entire years since these premium cans hit retailer cabinets (and so they’re nonetheless caught utilizing a Lightning port for charging), so a refresh is lengthy overdue.
Surprises and software program
The iPhone occasion doesn’t usually have a “one last thing” second, however there’s one piece of {hardware} that would get a shock shout out. It’s been rumored that Apple is getting ready an enormous redesign of the Mac mini. Analysts have prompt that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop laptop and may very well be across the similar measurement 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 begin 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 may really feel misplaced. And, similar to it did final fall, Apple may simply maintain a Mac-specific occasion later this yr.
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 techniques at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion could be a very good time to announce official launch dates.