What to expect at the iPhone 16 keynote in September

The most important day of the tech world’s autumn calendar is almost 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 dwell 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 anticipate to get a brand new Apple Watch or two — perhaps 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 throughout the Apple occasion. That’s excellent news for individuals prepared for an improve. The unhealthy (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} characteristic.

There’s more likely to be 4 new fashions introduced on the occasion, which is analogous 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 business 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 Extremely” moniker seem to have been greatly exaggerated.

Even when Apple does not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions is likely to be getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (for those who 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 doubtless 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 12 months’s grey titanium colour, they’re displaying 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, 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 doubtless get a extra highly effective chip than the usual fashions. It seems 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 characteristic introduced last year for the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct alternative 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 digital camera and extra.

There’s additionally speak of one other new button, this one on the precise aspect of the cellphone. This can management digital camera options, operating like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} delicate press will set off autofocus and a tougher press will take a photograph. Shoppers might also 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 sensible for the reason that high-end fashions usually supply 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 may seem like this time. It’s been reported, nonetheless, that the iPhone 16’s digital camera module may very well be getting a design refresh. Apple is likely to be ditching the sq. and going with a vertical orientation. This would possibly 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 increased emphasis on photographs and movies.

We already know what’s approaching the software program aspect of issues, because of the recent WWDC event. Based mostly on earlier years, iOS 18 must be obtainable inside the week following the occasion. The software program replace contains a extra customizable Management Middle and Residence Display screen. 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, but it surely’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 straight away.

Apple Watch Collection 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 no completely different. As a matter of reality, this can be a large 12 months for the Apple Watch. We’re developing on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as to whether the following entry shall be known as the Apple Watch Collection 10 or the Collection 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 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. This can doubtless 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 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 doable 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 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 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. Nevertheless, the tech will doubtless not be prepared for this 12 months’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 Collection 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 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 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 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 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 help this know-how. This is identical 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 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 (and so they’re nonetheless caught utilizing a Lightning port for charging), so a refresh is lengthy overdue.

One final thing?

The iPhone occasion doesn’t usually 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 urged that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop laptop and may very well 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. Nevertheless, 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 12 months.

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 “considered ‘constrained’ internally,” in accordance with Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is more likely to come quickly, it isn’t 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 superb 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 in regards to the newest Apple rumors, together with the brand new digital camera 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 a bit extra element on the way forward for Apple, from subsequent 12 months’s “tremendous slim” iPhone redesign by to the corporate’s burgeoning ambitions in house robotics. You possibly can hearken to the episode above, and a full transcript is available 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:

• 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.