The largest day of the tech world’s fall calendar is sort of right here: Apple’s iPhone 16 occasion will happen someday in September. The corporate sometimes does it on a Tuesday in the course of the first half of the month, so September 10 is a secure wager. Irrespective of when it occurs, 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 virtually undoubtedly 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, every little thing is pure hypothesis. With that stated, let’s get into the probably 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 middle 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 prone 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 accordance 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 seem to have been greatly exaggerated.
Even when Apple does not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions is perhaps getting barely bigger screens, which is at all times good (in case you like large 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 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.
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 doubtless 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 substitute 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 alter ringer settings, activate the flashlight, launch the digital camera and extra.
There’s additionally speak of one other new button, this one on the precise facet of the telephone. It will management digital camera options, operating 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 be capable of swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas capturing photographs or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digital camera button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is smart because the high-end fashions sometimes supply a extra strong digital camera expertise.
To that finish, new iPhones at all times get a digital camera spec bump, however we don’t know precisely what that may seem like 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 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 larger emphasis on photographs 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 obtainable inside the week following the occasion. The software program replace includes a extra customizable Management Heart and Dwelling Display. 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, nevertheless 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 be capable of idiot round with AI immediately.
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 no completely different. As a matter of truth, this can be a large yr for the Apple Watch. We’re arising 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 customary 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 type issue and introduce a 49mm design.
Rumors have additionally advised that Apple has utterly 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 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 prone to occur afterward. For now, Apple Intelligence will likely 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 in every 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 day trip. It’ll doubtless be an iterative refresh.
On the software program entrance, it seems 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. 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, perhaps it’ll lastly present up with the Sequence X.
Lastly, it’s extremely attainable that Apple pronounces 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 worth vary.
AirPods 4
It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its standard 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 prone 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 help 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 prone to help lively noise cancellation like the Pro model. 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.
Surprises and software program
The iPhone occasion doesn’t sometimes have a “one final 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 pc and could possibly be across the identical 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 may really feel misplaced. And, just like it did last 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 sometime this fall. Apple already detailed all three operating systems at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion can be a superb time to announce official launch dates.
