The largest day of the tech world’s fall calendar is almost right here: Apple’s iPhone 16 occasion will happen someday in September. The corporate usually does it on a Tuesday throughout the first half of the month, so September 10 is a protected guess. Regardless of when it occurs, we’ll be live-blogging the information, and you’ll watch it dwell through the corporate’s web site or on YouTube. The largest information from the occasion will nearly 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 few refresh of the usual AirPod earbuds. Till Tim Cook dinner takes the (digital) stage, nevertheless, the whole lot is pure hypothesis. With that mentioned, let’s get into the most 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 heart stage throughout the Apple iPhone 16 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 might be one other 12 months of iterative enhancements, so don’t count on a game-changing new {hardware} characteristic.
There’s prone 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 trade 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 vastly 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 (in the event you 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 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} aspect 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 might 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 to be 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 launched final 12 months for the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct substitute for the mute change, by default, however may be adjusted to manage 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 speak of one other new button, this one on the proper aspect of the cellphone. This can management digicam options, working 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 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 usually supply 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, nevertheless, that the iPhone 16’s digicam module might 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 aspect of issues, due to the current WWDC occasion. Based mostly on earlier years, iOS 18 needs to be obtainable throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace encompasses a extra customizable Management Heart and Dwelling Display screen. It’s going to 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 predicted in October, however does imply that early adopters of the iPhone 16 gained’t be capable of 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 most recent Apple Watch. This 12 months seems to be to be no totally different. As a matter of truth, this can be a huge 12 months for the Apple Watch. We’re arising on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as as to whether the following entry might 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 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 utterly redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This can probably 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 prone to occur afterward. 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 doable one in all 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 out. It’ll probably 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 probably 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 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 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 value vary.
AirPods 4
It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its normal earbuds. The AirPods 4 might characteristic each an entry-level mannequin and a mid-tier model, which might successfully change AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.
The massive information right here is that each AirPods 4 variations are prone 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 expertise. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is smart.
Each variations ought to characteristic related designs, although the mid-tier variant is prone to help lively noise cancellation just like the Professional mannequin. 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 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.
Surprises and software program
The iPhone occasion doesn’t usually 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 an enormous redesign of the Mac mini. Analysts have steered that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop pc and might 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 delivery from suppliers this month, so it’s doable 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 12 months.
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 methods at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion can be a very good time to announce official launch dates.