What to expect at the iPhone 16 keynote

The largest day of the tech world’s fall calendar is almost right here: Apple’s iPhone 16 occasion will happen on September 9 at 1PM ET. We’ll be live-blogging the information, and you may watch it stay by way of 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 Prepare dinner takes the (digital) stage, nevertheless, every little thing is pure hypothesis. With that mentioned, let’s get into the more than likely 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 in the course of the Apple iPhone 16 occasion. That’s excellent news for folks prepared for an improve. The unhealthy (ish) information? The overwhelming majority of leaks and rumors point out that this will probably be one other year of iterative improvements, so don’t count on a game-changing new {hardware} function.

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 referred to as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in response to 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 could be getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (if you happen to 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 coloration 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 known as Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip will probably 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 appears like the bottom quantity of RAM right here will probably 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 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 digital camera and extra.

There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the fitting aspect of the cellphone. This may 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 might also be capable of swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas taking pictures photographs or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digital camera button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is smart for the reason that high-end fashions sometimes supply a extra strong 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 appear like this time. It’s been reported, nevertheless, that the iPhone 16’s digital camera module could possibly be getting a design refresh. Apple could be 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 position a a lot increased emphasis on photographs and movies.

We already know what’s approaching the software program aspect of issues, due to the recent WWDC event. Based mostly on earlier years, iOS 18 ought to be obtainable throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace incorporates a extra customizable Management Middle and House Display screen. 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 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 most recent Apple Watch. This yr appears to be no completely different. As a matter of reality, it is a huge yr for the Apple Watch. We’re developing on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as to whether the subsequent entry will probably 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 normal smartwatch is reported to have an even bigger display screen 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 instructed that Apple has utterly redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This may probably 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.

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 instructed that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s current foray into AI, however that integration is prone to occur in a while. For now, Apple Intelligence will probably 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 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 trip. It’ll probably be an iterative refresh.

On the software program entrance, it appears 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 working on new sensors to detect hypertension and sleep apnea. Nevertheless, the tech will probably 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 Sequence X.

Lastly, it’s extremely doable that Apple publicizes 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 probably 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 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 function 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 prone to transition to a USB-C case to keep pace with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Professional. It’s been instructed 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 smart.

Each variations ought to function comparable designs, although the mid-tier variant is prone to help energetic noise cancellation like the Pro model. 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 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.

Surprises and software program

The iPhone occasion doesn’t sometimes have a “one very last 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 instructed that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop pc and could possibly 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 transport 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 yr.

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 sometime this fall. Apple already detailed all three operating systems at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion can be an excellent time to announce official launch dates.

Replace, August 26 2024, 12:14PM ET: This story has been up to date to incorporate the occasion time and date.