For Apple devotees, the largest tech day of the 12 months is arising: The Apple iPhone 16 launch event. It’s going to happen on September 9 at 1PM ET in Cupertino, CA, and you may stream it live on YouTube or the corporate’s web site. We’ll even be live-blogging the information and hopefully will get an opportunity to take a look at the brand new iPhone after the occasion.
The largest information we’re anticipating from Apple’s It is Glowtime occasion is the iPhone 16 lineup. Following previous occasions, we’re additionally anticipating a brand new Apple Watch or two — perhaps even three, if Apple showcases a brand new SE.
Past that, rumors have been swirling a few refresh of the usual AirPod earbuds. And what about new M4 Macs, HomePods, iPad mini and even the baseline iPhone SE? A few of these might hit later this 12 months, whereas others most likely will not see the sunshine of day till 2025 or past. However till Tim Cook dinner takes the (digital) stage, nonetheless, all the pieces is pure hypothesis. With that mentioned, let’s get into the almost certainly 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 throughout 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 might be one other year of iterative improvements, so don’t anticipate a game-changing new {hardware} characteristic.
There’s prone to be 4 new fashions introduced on the occasion, which is analogous 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, based on 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 does not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions may be getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (if you happen to 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 doubtless 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. Individually, 9to5Mac has reported on a brand new “gold-colored titanium” hue for the iPhone 16 Professional mannequin. Primarily based on a supply who apparently nailed final 12 months’s grey titanium shade, 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 known as Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip might be an iterative enchancment, specs-wise. As is typical, the Professional and Professional Max will doubtless 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 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 regulate a bunch of various issues. The Motion Button can be utilized to to vary ringer settings, activate the flashlight, launch the digital camera and extra.
There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the appropriate facet of the cellphone. It will management digital camera options, operating like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} gentle press will set off autofocus and a more durable press will take a photograph. Shoppers 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 because the high-end fashions usually 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, nonetheless, that the iPhone 16’s digital camera 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 perhaps the Plus, because the Professional and Professional Max telephones have a tendency to put a a lot greater emphasis on images and movies.
We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, due to the recent WWDC event. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 needs to be accessible 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 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, but it surely’s been delayed until iOS 18.1. This isn’t an enormous deal, as that OS refresh is predicted in October, however does imply that early adopters of the iPhone 16 received’t have the ability to idiot round with AI instantly.
The brand new iPhone drop may additionally spell the top of Apple’s extensively panned FineWoven case, which was simply launched final 12 months as a substitute for leather-based however has been criticized for sturdiness points. ’s Mark Gurman lately reported that FineWoven stock is getting low, suggesting the corporate is both phasing it out or planning a refresh. One on the Saturday forward of the occasion shared a take a look at an array of iPhone instances in impartial colours, claiming these could also be popping out in a brand new materials to exchange FineWoven.
Apple Watch Sequence 10 and Apple Watch Extremely 3
Ever since 2016, iPhone occasions have additionally included a deep dive on the most recent Apple Watch. This 12 months appears to be no totally different. As a matter of reality, it is a huge 12 months for the Apple Watch. We’re arising on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as to whether the subsequent entry might 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 a much bigger display 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 urged that Apple has fully redesigned the band system and added new connectors. It will doubtless 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.
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 urged that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s current foray into AI, however that integration is prone to occur in a while. For now, Apple Intelligence might 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 attainable one among 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 trip. It’ll doubtless 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 among 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 doubtless 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, perhaps it’ll lastly present up with the Sequence X.
Lastly, it’s extremely attainable 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 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 might wish to compete nearer to that worth vary.
Two new units of AirPods
It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its standard earbuds. In keeping with a Bloomberg roundup that was published on September 6, Apple will introduce an entry-level mannequin and a mid-tier model, which might successfully substitute AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.
The massive information right here is that each new AirPods variations are prone to transition to a USB-C case to keep pace 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 help this expertise. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is sensible. The case for the dearer AirPods may additionally embody a speaker, which might make it simpler to seek out with Apple’s Discover My characteristic.
Each variations ought to characteristic comparable designs, although the mid-tier variant is prone to help energetic noise cancellation like the Pro model. If that is the case, it is probably not clear what’s left to distinguish these earbuds from the AirPods Professional, however we’ll discover out quickly sufficient.
As for the AirPods Max, there’ll doubtless be no refresh of Apple’s high-end Professional earbuds at this occasion. It’s been 4 complete 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. Mark Gurman says they’re going to get USB-C and new colours finally however the timing stays unclear.
Yet one more factor
The iPhone occasion doesn’t usually have a “yet one more factor” second, however there’s one piece of {hardware} that would get a shock shout out. It’s been rumored that Apple is preparing a massive redesign of the Mac mini, which would come with ditching the USB-A port, based on Gurman. Analysts have urged that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop pc 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 attainable 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 may really feel misplaced. And, just like it did last fall, Apple may simply maintain a Mac-specific occasion later this 12 months.
There’s additionally numerous 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 isn’t widespread 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 also be popping out sometime this fall. Apple already detailed all three operating systems at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion could be an excellent time to announce official launch dates.
One… early factor?
Here is one thing we all know for positive: Apple has a up to date Beats Powerbeats Professional replace coming subsequent 12 months. Beats teased an replace to the earbuds on its Instagram account on September 4 with a brief Reel. Within the clip, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani swings a bat whereas carrying the upcoming earbuds, earlier than a “Powerbeats Professional 2” wordmark and “Coming 2025” flash up on display.
That is it — there is no point out of specs, pricing, or a tighter launch window, however we do at the least see a tweaked design. You possibly can learn senior reporter Billy Steele’s analysis of this glimpse here. Likelihood is we cannot hear about this new set of buds on the iPhone occasion, however anticipate to see them adorning many extra athlete and celeb ears earlier than lengthy.
The Engadget Podcast with particular visitor Mark Gurman
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 digital camera button for iPhone, tweaks to display sizes, the brand new AirPods lineup and what to anticipate from the most recent Apple Watch fashions. There’s additionally a bit of extra element on the way forward for Apple, from subsequent 12 months’s “tremendous slim” iPhone redesign by to the corporate’s burgeoning ambitions in residence robotics. You possibly can hearken to the episode above, and a full transcript is available here.
Replace, September 6 2024, 9:30AM ET: This story has been up to date a number of occasions since its unique publishing. The updates have 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 shade for the iPhone 16 Professional.
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Added a hyperlink to Mark Gurman’s reporting on the Mac mini.
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Added a bit on the shock announcement of the Powerbeats Professional 2.
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Added extra particulars in regards to the two new units of AirPods.
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