What to expect at 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 occasion will happen on September 9 at 1PM ET. We’ll be live-blogging the information, and you may watch it reside by way of the corporate’s web site or on YouTube. The most important information from the Apple 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 few 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 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 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 will likely be one other yr of iterative enhancements, so don’t count on 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 yr. The brand new telephones will allegedly be known as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in accordance 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 tremendously 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 (in the event 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 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. 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 shade, 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 latest push towards AI, often known as Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip will likely 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 will likely 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 change, by default, however might 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 speak of one other new button, this one on the correct aspect of the cellphone. This can management digicam options, working 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 may be capable to swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas taking pictures photographs or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digicam button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is smart because the high-end fashions sometimes provide a extra sturdy 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 to be this time. It’s been reported, nonetheless, that the iPhone 16’s digicam module might 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 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 latest WWDC occasion. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 ought to be accessible throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace encompasses a extra customizable Management Heart and Residence Display. It will additionally lastly carry RCS assist to iPhones.

As for Apple Intelligence, you’ll have to attend a bit. It was introduced as a part of iOS 18, however 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 gained’t be capable to 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 newest Apple Watch. This yr seems to be 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 as to if the following entry will likely 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 extra consistent with the Extremely. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm kind issue and introduce a 49mm design.

Rumors have additionally recommended that Apple has fully redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This can possible 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 recommended that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s latest foray into AI, however that integration is more likely to occur afterward. For now, Apple Intelligence will likely 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 outing. It’ll possible be an iterative refresh.

On the software program entrance, it seems to be 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 engaged 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 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 potential that Apple broadcasts 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 likely 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 normal earbuds. The AirPods 4 may characteristic each an entry-level mannequin and a mid-tier model, which might successfully change 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 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 expertise. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is smart.

Each variations ought to characteristic related designs, although the mid-tier variant is more likely to assist energetic noise cancellation just like the Professional mannequin. 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 (they usually’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 getting ready an enormous redesign of the Mac mini. Analysts have recommended that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop pc and might 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 potential 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, identical to it did final fall, Apple may simply maintain a Mac-specific occasion later this yr.

There’s additionally numerous 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 “thought of ‘constrained’ internally,” in accordance with Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is more likely to come quickly, it isn’t widespread 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 programs at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion could be 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 digicam button for iPhone, tweaks to display sizes, the brand new AirPods lineup and what to anticipate from the newest 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 means of to the corporate’s burgeoning ambitions in residence robotics. You’ll be able to hearken to the episode above, and a full transcript is on the market right here.

Replace, August 30 2024, 1:20PM ET: This story has been up to date a number of instances since its authentic 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 shade for the iPhone 16 Professional.