What we count on on the iPhone 16 launch occasion subsequent week

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 may watch it stay through the corporate’s web site or on YouTube. The most important information from Apple’s It is Glowtime occasion will virtually undoubtedly contain the forthcoming lineup of iPhone 16 handsets. As with all latest Septembers, we additionally count on 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. 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 most likely will not see the sunshine of day till 2025 or past. However till Tim Cook dinner takes the (digital) stage, nevertheless, all the things is pure hypothesis. With that stated, let’s get into the more than likely 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 middle stage through 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 can be one other year of iterative improvements, 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 yr. The brand new telephones will allegedly be known as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, based on 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 seem to have been greatly exaggerated.

Even when Apple would not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions may be getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (should 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 seemingly 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. Individually, 9to5Mac has reported on a brand new “gold-colored titanium” hue for the iPhone 16 Professional mannequin. Primarily based on a supply who apparently nailed final yr’s grey titanium coloration, they’re exhibiting 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 latest push towards AI, also known as Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip can 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 like the bottom quantity of RAM right here can 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 substitute for the mute change, by default, however will be adjusted to regulate a bunch of various issues. The Motion Button can be utilized to to alter ringer settings, activate the flashlight, launch the digicam and extra.

There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the proper aspect of the telephone. This can management digicam options, operating like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} smooth press will set off autofocus and a more durable press will take a photograph. Shoppers may additionally have the ability to swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas capturing 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 provide 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 appear like this time. It’s been reported, nevertheless, that the iPhone 16’s digicam module could possibly be getting a design refresh. Apple may 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 increased emphasis on pictures and movies.

We already know what’s approaching the software program aspect of issues, because of the recent WWDC event. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 ought to be accessible throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace incorporates a extra customizable Management Heart 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, 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 received’t have the ability to 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 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 following entry can 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 an even 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 instructed that Apple has utterly redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This can seemingly make these straps simpler to regulate, however there’s a draw back. This transfer might 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 latest foray into AI, however that integration is prone to occur in a while. For now, Apple Intelligence can 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 potential 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 seemingly 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 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 creating 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 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 can 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 could 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 might characteristic each an entry-level mannequin and a mid-tier model, which might successfully exchange 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 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 assist this know-how. This is similar technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is sensible.

Each variations ought to characteristic comparable designs, although the mid-tier variant is prone to assist lively noise cancellation like the Pro model. Talking of, there’ll seemingly 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 (they usually’re nonetheless caught utilizing a Lightning port for charging), so a refresh is lengthy overdue.

Another factor

The iPhone occasion doesn’t usually have a “another factor” 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, which would come with ditching the USB-A port, based on Gurman. Analysts have instructed that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop pc and could possibly be across the similar 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 begin delivery from suppliers this month, so it’s potential 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, just like it did last fall, Apple might simply maintain a Mac-specific occasion later this yr.

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,” based on Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is prone 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 could be a superb time to announce official launch dates.

One… early factor?

Here 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 carrying the upcoming earbuds, earlier than a “Powerbeats Professional 2” wordmark and “Coming 2025” flash up on display.

That is it — there is no point out of specs, pricing, or a tighter launch window, however we do a minimum of see a tweaked design. You may learn senior reporter Billy Steele’s analysis of this glimpse here. Chances are high we cannot hear about this new set of buds on the iPhone occasion, however count on to see them adorning many extra athlete and movie star ears earlier than lengthy.

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 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 a little bit extra element on the way forward for Apple, from subsequent yr’s “tremendous slim” iPhone redesign by way of to the corporate’s burgeoning ambitions in residence robotics. You may hearken to the episode above, and a full transcript is available here.

Replace, September 4 2024, 7:00PM ET: This story has been up to date a number of instances 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 coloration for the iPhone 16 Professional.

• Added a hyperlink to Mark Gurman’s reporting on the Mac mini.

• Added a bit on the shock announcement of the Powerbeats Professional 2.