The largest day of the tech world’s fall 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 dwell by way of 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, nevertheless, all the pieces is pure hypothesis. With that stated, let’s get into the most definitely 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 in the course of the Apple iPhone 16 occasion. That’s excellent news for folks prepared for an improve. The dangerous (ish) information? The overwhelming majority of leaks and rumors point out that this will likely be one other year of iterative improvements, 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 known as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in accordance with 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 Extremely” moniker seem to have been greatly exaggerated.
Even when Apple would not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions is perhaps getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (if you happen to 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 probably be a brand new shade 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} facet of issues, search for a brand new chipset that takes benefit of the corporate’s latest push towards AI, also known 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 probably get a extra highly effective chip than the usual fashions. It seems 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 introduced last year for the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct alternative 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 digital camera and extra.
There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the fitting facet of the cellphone. It will management digital camera options, operating like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} mushy press will set off autofocus and a tougher press will take a photograph. Customers may additionally have the ability to swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas capturing images or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digital camera button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is sensible for the reason that high-end fashions sometimes provide a extra strong digital camera expertise.
To that finish, new iPhones all the time get a digital camera spec bump, however we don’t know precisely what that may appear to be this time. It’s been reported, nevertheless, that the iPhone 16’s digital camera module could possibly be getting a design refresh. Apple is perhaps 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 put a a lot increased emphasis on images and movies.
We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, because of the recent WWDC event. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 must be obtainable throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace includes a extra customizable Management Heart and House Display screen. It will additionally finally bring RCS support 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 until 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 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 seems to be no totally different. As a matter of reality, this can be a huge 12 months for the Apple Watch. We’re developing on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as to whether the following entry will likely be known as the Apple Watch Sequence 10 or the Sequence X.
It doesn’t matter what it finally ends up being known as, Apple’s subsequent normal smartwatch is reported to have a much bigger display screen that’s more in line with the Ultra. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm kind issue and introduce a 49mm design.
Rumors have additionally advised that Apple has fully redesigned the band system and added new connectors. It will 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.
After all, there’s going to be a brand new chip to energy these watches, however we don’t have any specifics. It’s been advised that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s latest 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 potential 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 trip. It’ll probably be an iterative refresh.
On the software program entrance, it seems like Apple has run into some snags whereas growing 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 working on new sensors to detect hypertension and sleep apnea. Nevertheless, the tech will probably not be prepared for this 12 months’s smartwatch. Apple’s additionally been growing 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 potential 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 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 could wish to compete nearer to that worth vary.
AirPods 4
It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its standard earbuds. The AirPods 4 might characteristic each an entry-level mannequin and a mid-tier model, which might successfully exchange AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.
The massive information right here is that each AirPods 4 variations are more likely to transition to a USB-C case to keep pace with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Professional. It’s been advised 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 similar technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is sensible.
Each variations ought to characteristic comparable designs, although the mid-tier variant is more likely to assist lively noise cancellation like the Pro model. 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 entire 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.
Surprises and software program
The iPhone occasion doesn’t sometimes have a “one very last thing” second, however there’s one piece of {hardware} that might get a shock shout out. It’s been rumored that Apple is preparing a massive redesign of the Mac mini. Analysts have advised that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop laptop and could possibly 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 start out delivery from suppliers this month, so it’s potential Apple will spend a couple of minutes on the pc on the iPhone occasion. Nevertheless, don’t rely on it. That is an occasion for iPhones and smartwatches and a miniaturized desktop might really feel misplaced. And, just like it did last fall, Apple might simply maintain a Mac-specific occasion later this 12 months.
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 also be popping out sometime this fall. Apple already detailed all three operating systems at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion could be a superb time to announce official launch dates.
Replace, August 26 2024, 12:14PM ET: This story has been up to date to incorporate the occasion time and date.
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