The largest day of the tech world’s autumn calendar is sort of 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 reside through the corporate’s web site or on YouTube. The largest information from the Apple occasion will nearly undoubtedly contain the forthcoming lineup of iPhone 16 handsets. As with all current Septembers, we additionally count on 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 strains. Till Tim Prepare dinner takes the (digital) stage, nevertheless, all the pieces is pure hypothesis. With that stated, 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 in the course of the Apple occasion. That’s excellent news for folks prepared for an improve. The unhealthy (ish) information? The overwhelming majority of leaks and rumors point out that this will probably be one other yr of iterative enhancements, so don’t count on a game-changing new {hardware} characteristic.
There’s more likely to be 4 new fashions introduced on the occasion, which is analogous to what Apple did final yr. The brand new telephones will allegedly be known as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in keeping with business 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 Extremely” moniker appear to have been drastically exaggerated.
Even when Apple would not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions could be getting barely bigger screens, which is at all times good (should you like massive 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 doubtless be a brand new coloration 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. 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 yr’s grey titanium coloration, they’re exhibiting off what seems to be extra of a dusky sand hue than gold.
On the {hardware} aspect of issues, search for a brand new chipset that takes benefit of the corporate’s current push towards AI, often known as Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip will probably 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 seems to be like the bottom quantity of RAM right here will probably 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 substitute for the mute swap, by default, however might 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 best aspect of the cellphone. It will management digicam options, working like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} smooth press will set off autofocus and a tougher press will take a photograph. Shoppers can also have the ability to swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas taking pictures photographs or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digicam button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is sensible for the reason that high-end fashions sometimes provide a extra strong digicam expertise.
To that finish, new iPhones at all times get a digicam spec bump, however we don’t know precisely what that may appear like this time. It’s been reported, nevertheless, that the iPhone 16’s digicam module could possibly 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 possibly the Plus, because the Professional and Professional Max telephones have a tendency to put a a lot larger emphasis on photographs and movies.
We already know what’s approaching the software program aspect of issues, because of the current WWDC occasion. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 needs to be accessible throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace encompasses a extra customizable Management Heart and Dwelling Display. It will additionally lastly deliver RCS help 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 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 yr seems to be to be no totally different. As a matter of reality, it is a massive yr for the Apple Watch. We’re developing on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as as to if the subsequent entry will probably 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 customary smartwatch is reported to have a much bigger display screen that’s extra in step with the Extremely. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm kind issue and introduce a 49mm design.
Rumors have additionally steered 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 might 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 steered 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 probably 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 attainable one in all 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 outing. It’ll doubtless be an iterative refresh.
On the software program entrance, it seems to be like Apple has run into some snags whereas creating long-anticipated well being monitoring instruments. Well being monitoring is likely 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 doubtless 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, possibly 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 will probably 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 customary earbuds. The AirPods 4 might 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 steered that the cheaper of the 2 forthcoming fashions would lack wi-fi charging, however that the mid-tier model would help this know-how. 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 help lively noise cancellation just like the Professional mannequin. Talking of, there’ll doubtless 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.
One very last thing?
The iPhone occasion doesn’t sometimes have a “one very last thing” second, however there’s one piece of {hardware} that would get a shock shout out. It’s been rumored that Apple is making ready a large redesign of the Mac mini. Analysts have steered that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop pc and could possibly be across the similar 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 transport from suppliers this month, so it’s attainable Apple will spend a couple of minutes on the pc on the iPhone occasion. Nonetheless, don’t depend 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 quite a lot 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-about ‘constrained’ internally,” in keeping with Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is more likely 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 be popping out someday this fall. Apple already detailed all three working techniques at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion could be an excellent time to announce official launch dates.
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 concerning the newest Apple rumors, together with the brand new digicam button for iPhone, tweaks to display screen sizes, the brand new AirPods lineup and what to anticipate from the newest Apple Watch fashions. There’s additionally just a little extra element on the way forward for Apple, from subsequent yr’s “tremendous slim” iPhone redesign by 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 occasions 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.