The most important 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’ll watch it stay by way of the corporate’s web site or on YouTube. The most important information from the Apple occasion will virtually positively contain the forthcoming lineup of iPhone 16 handsets. As with all current Septembers, we additionally anticipate to get a brand new Apple Watch or two — possibly even three, if Apple squeezes in a brand new SE.
Past that, rumors have been swirling a couple of refresh of the usual AirPod earbuds, together with updates to Apple’s different product traces. Till Tim Cook dinner takes the (digital) stage, nonetheless, all the things is pure hypothesis. With that mentioned, let’s get into the probably 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 dangerous (ish) information? The overwhelming majority of leaks and rumors point out that this will likely be one other 12 months 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 12 months. The brand new telephones will allegedly be referred to as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in response to business analyst Mark Gurman. That is the very same naming conference as final 12 months’s iPhone 15 reveal, so the rumors of Apple adopting an “iPhone Ultra” moniker appear to have been enormously exaggerated.
Even when Apple does not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions may be getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (should you like huge 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. Individually, 9to5Mac has reported on a brand new “gold-colored titanium” hue for the iPhone 16 Professional mannequin. Based mostly on a supply who apparently nailed final 12 months’s grey titanium coloration, they’re displaying off what seems to be extra of a dusky sand hue than gold.
On the {hardware} facet of issues, search for a brand new chipset that takes benefit of the corporate’s current push towards AI, also referred to as Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip will likely 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 to be like like the bottom quantity of RAM right here will likely 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 12 months for the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct substitute for the mute swap, by default, however will 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 digicam and extra.
There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the appropriate facet of the cellphone. This may management digicam options, working like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} delicate press will set off autofocus and a tougher press will take a photograph. Shoppers might also be capable of swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas capturing images or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digicam button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is smart because the high-end fashions sometimes provide a extra strong digicam expertise.
To that finish, new iPhones all the time get a digicam spec bump, however we don’t know precisely what that may 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 may be ditching the sq. and going with a vertical orientation. This would possibly solely apply to the bottom iPhone 16 and possibly the Plus, because the Professional and Professional Max telephones have a tendency to position a a lot increased emphasis on images and movies.
We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, due to the current WWDC occasion. Based mostly on earlier years, iOS 18 must be obtainable inside the week following the occasion. The software program replace includes a extra customizable Management Heart and Dwelling Display screen. 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, however 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 gained’t be capable of idiot round with AI straight away.
Apple Watch Sequence 10 and Apple Watch Extremely 3
Ever since 2016, iPhone occasions have additionally included a deep dive on the newest Apple Watch. This 12 months appears to be like to be no totally different. As a matter of truth, it is a huge 12 months 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 will likely be referred to as the Apple Watch Sequence 10 or the Sequence X.
It doesn’t matter what it finally ends up being referred to as, Apple’s subsequent commonplace smartwatch is reported to have an even bigger display that’s extra according to the Extremely. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm type issue and introduce a 49mm design.
Rumors have additionally urged that Apple has utterly redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This may seemingly make these straps simpler to regulate, however there’s a draw back. This transfer may 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 urged that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s current foray into AI, however that integration is more likely to occur in a while. For now, Apple Intelligence will likely 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 gained’t get a significant redesign this day trip. It’ll seemingly be an iterative refresh.
On the software program entrance, it appears to be like 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. Nevertheless, the tech will seemingly not be prepared for this 12 months’s smartwatch. Apple’s additionally been creating a glucose sensor for nearly a decade so, who is aware of, possibly it’ll lastly present up with the Sequence X.
Lastly, it’s extremely doable that Apple proclaims 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 will likely 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 may characteristic each an entry-level mannequin and a mid-tier model, which might successfully exchange 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 preserve tempo with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Professional. It’s been urged 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 similar technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is smart.
Each variations ought to characteristic comparable 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 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 final thing?
The iPhone occasion doesn’t sometimes 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 urged 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 transport from suppliers this month, so it’s doable Apple will spend a couple of minutes on the pc on the iPhone occasion. Nevertheless, don’t depend 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 12 months.
There’s additionally a number of noise on-line about an upcoming iPad mini refresh. Apple’s smallest iPad hasn’t had an replace since 2021, and is at present “thought of ‘constrained’ internally,” in response to Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is more likely to come quickly, it isn’t frequent for Apple to announce iPads throughout its iPhone occasion.
Past that, a complete 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 programs at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion can be a great time to announce official launch dates.
The Engadget Podcast with particular visitor Mark Gurman
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In preparation for Apple’s September 9 occasion, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman joined Engadget Podcast hosts Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar to speak all issues Apple. The trio talked at size in regards to the newest Apple rumors, together with the brand new digicam button for iPhone, tweaks to display sizes, the brand new AirPods lineup and what to anticipate from the newest Apple Watch fashions. There’s additionally slightly extra element on the way forward for Apple, from subsequent 12 months’s “super slim” iPhone redesign by means of to the corporate’s burgeoning ambitions in residence robotics. You possibly can take heed to the episode above, and a full transcript is accessible right here.
Replace, August 30 2024, 1:20PM ET: This story has been up to date a number of instances since its unique publishing. The updates had been as follows, in chronological order:
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Added the time and date of the Apple occasion.
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Added some particulars on the iPad mini being stock-restrained.
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Added a recap of the Engadget Podcast with Mark Gurman.
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Added a hyperlink to 9to5Mac‘s reporting on a brand new coloration for the iPhone 16 Professional.
