For Apple devotees, the most important tech day of the yr is arising: The Apple iPhone 16 launch occasion. It will happen on September 9 at 1PM ET in Cupertino, CA, and you’ll stream it dwell 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 could hit later this yr, whereas others in all probability will not see the sunshine of day till 2025 or past. However till Tim Cook dinner takes the (digital) stage, nevertheless, every part is pure hypothesis. With that stated, let’s get into the most certainly leaks and rumors forward of the Apple occasion.
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It doesn’t matter what else occurs, these new handsets will take heart stage throughout the Apple 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 shall be one other year of iterative improvements, so don’t anticipate a game-changing new {hardware} function.
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 referred to as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in line with trade 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 is likely to be getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (should you 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 seemingly be a brand new colour 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. Based mostly on a supply who apparently nailed final yr’s grey titanium colour, they’re exhibiting 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 called Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip shall be an iterative enchancment, specs-wise. As is typical, the Professional and Professional Max will seemingly get a extra highly effective chip than the usual fashions. It appears to be like like the bottom quantity of RAM right here shall 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 function 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 could 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 correct facet of the cellphone. This may management digicam 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 might also be capable of swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas taking pictures pictures 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 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 can appear to be this time. It’s been reported, nevertheless, that the iPhone 16’s digicam module could possibly be getting a design refresh. Apple is likely to be 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 put a a lot larger emphasis on pictures and movies.
We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, due to the current WWDC occasion. Based mostly on earlier years, iOS 18 ought to be accessible throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace includes a extra customizable Management Middle and House Display screen. It will additionally lastly convey RCS assist 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 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 received’t be capable of idiot round with AI straight away.
Ever since 2016, iPhone occasions have additionally included a deep dive on the most recent Apple Watch. This yr appears to be like to be no completely different. As a matter of reality, it is a huge yr for the Apple Watch. We’re arising on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as to whether the subsequent entry shall 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 customary smartwatch is reported to have a much bigger display that’s extra consistent with the Extremely. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm type issue and introduce a 49mm design.
Rumors have additionally recommended that Apple has fully redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This may seemingly 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.
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 recommended 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 shall 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 doable 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 day out. It’ll seemingly be an iterative refresh.
On the software program entrance, it appears to be like 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. Nonetheless, the tech will seemingly not be prepared for this yr’s smartwatch. Apple’s additionally been growing 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 doable that Apple declares 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 shall 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 value vary.
It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its standard earbuds. In response to a Bloomberg roundup that was published on September 6, Apple will introduce 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 new AirPods 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 recommended that the cheaper of the 2 forthcoming fashions would lack wi-fi charging, however that the mid-tier model would assist this know-how. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is sensible. The case for the dearer AirPods might also embrace a speaker, which might make it simpler to search out with Apple’s Discover My function.
Each variations ought to function related designs, although the mid-tier variant is more likely to assist lively noise cancellation just like the Professional mannequin. 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 seemingly 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 will get USB-C and new colours finally however the timing stays unclear.
The iPhone occasion doesn’t usually have a “another 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, in line with Gurman. Analysts have recommended that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop laptop 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 begin 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 rely on it. That is an occasion for iPhones and smartwatches and a miniaturized desktop may really feel misplaced. And, identical to it did final fall, Apple may simply maintain a Mac-specific occasion later this yr.
There’s additionally lots of noise on-line about an upcoming iPad mini refresh. Apple’s smallest iPad hasn’t had an replace since 2021, and is at the moment “considered ‘constrained’ internally,” in line with Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is more likely to come quickly, it is not frequent for Apple to announce iPads throughout its iPhone occasion.
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 also 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.
This is one thing we all know for positive: Apple has a up to date Beats Powerbeats Professional replace coming subsequent yr. 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 sporting the upcoming earbuds, earlier than a “Powerbeats Professional 2” wordmark and “Coming 2025” flash up on display.
That is it — there isn’t any point out of specs, pricing, or a tighter launch window, however we do a minimum of see a tweaked design. You’ll be able to learn senior reporter Billy Steele’s evaluation of this glimpse right 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 superstar ears earlier than lengthy.
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 sizes, the brand new AirPods lineup and what to anticipate from the most recent Apple Watch fashions. There’s additionally slightly 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’ll be able to take heed to the episode above, and a full transcript is offered right 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 had been as follows, in chronological order:
Added the time and date of the Apple occasion.
Added some particulars on the iPad mini being stock-restrained.
Added a recap of the Engadget Podcast with Mark Gurman.
Added a hyperlink to 9to5Mac‘s reporting on a brand new colour for the iPhone 16 Professional.
Added a hyperlink to Mark Gurman’s reporting on the Mac mini.
Added a piece on the shock announcement of the Powerbeats Professional 2.
Added extra particulars concerning the two new units of AirPods.
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