What to anticipate on the iPhone 16 keynote in September

The most important day of the tech world’s autumn calendar is sort of right here: Apple’s iPhone 16 event will take place on September 9 at 1PM ET. We’ll be live-blogging the information, and you’ll watch it stay by way of the corporate’s web site or on YouTube. The most important information from the Apple occasion will nearly positively 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 traces. Till Tim Prepare dinner takes the (digital) stage, nonetheless, the whole lot is pure hypothesis. With that stated, 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 through the Apple 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 shall be one other year of iterative improvements, so don’t count on a game-changing new {hardware} function.

There’s more likely to be 4 new fashions introduced on the occasion, which has similarities 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 accordance with business analyst (and up to date Engadget podcast guest) 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 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 large 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 possible 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} 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 shall be an iterative enchancment, specs-wise. As is typical, the Professional and Professional Max will possible get a extra highly effective chip than the usual fashions. It seems to be 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 alternative for the mute change, by default, however will be adjusted to manage 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 proper facet of the telephone. It will management digital camera options, operating like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} delicate press will set off autofocus and a more durable press will take a photograph. Shoppers might also be capable to swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas taking pictures pictures 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 sometimes provide a extra sturdy 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 can seem like this time. It’s been reported, nonetheless, that the iPhone 16’s digital camera module might 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 possibly the Plus, because the Professional and Professional Max telephones have a tendency to put a a lot greater emphasis on pictures and movies.

We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, because of the recent WWDC event. Based mostly on earlier years, iOS 18 must be obtainable throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace includes a extra customizable Management Middle and Residence Display. 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, nevertheless it’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 gained’t be capable to idiot round with AI immediately.

Apple Watch Collection 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 completely different. As a matter of truth, it is 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 shall be referred to as the Apple Watch Collection 10 or the Collection X.

It doesn’t matter what it finally ends up being referred to as, Apple’s subsequent normal smartwatch is reported to have a much bigger display screen 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 possible make these straps simpler to regulate, however there’s a draw back. This transfer may make it so all of these outdated bands now 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 urged that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s current foray into AI, however that integration is more likely to occur afterward. 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 potential certainly one of 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 trip. It’ll possible 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 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. Nevertheless, the tech will possible 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 Collection X.

Lastly, it’s extremely potential 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 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 least expensive 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 standard earbuds. The AirPods 4 may function 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 more likely 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 assist this know-how. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is sensible.

Each variations ought to function comparable designs, although the mid-tier variant is more likely to assist lively noise cancellation like the Pro model. Talking of, there’ll possible 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.

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 preparing a massive redesign of the Mac mini. Analysts have urged that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop laptop and might be across the identical 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 start out transport from suppliers this month, so it’s potential 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 yr.

There’s additionally a variety of 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,” in accordance 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, 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 can be a very good time to announce official launch dates.

Replace, August 29 2024, 1:00PM ET: This story has been up to date since its unique publishing to notice that Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman has guested on the Engadget podcast to debate the newest expectations forward of the Apple occasion.

Replace, August 28 2024, 11:30AM ET: This story has been up to date since its unique publishing to incorporate the time and date of the Apple occasion, together with particulars from Gurman on the iPad mini being thought-about “constrained” by Apple.