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

The most important day of the tech world’s autumn 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’ll watch it reside 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 — 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. 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 in all probability will not see the sunshine of day till 2025 or past. However till Tim Cook dinner takes the (digital) stage, nonetheless, every part is pure hypothesis. With that mentioned, let’s get into the probably 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 unhealthy (ish) information? The overwhelming majority of leaks and rumors point out that this will probably 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 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, 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 Ultra” moniker appear to have been significantly exaggerated.

Even when Apple does not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions is perhaps getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (in the event 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 seemingly 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 probably 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 seems to be 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 characteristic launched final yr for the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct substitute 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 digicam and extra.

There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the fitting aspect of the telephone. This may management digicam options, working 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. Shoppers might also be capable of swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas taking pictures pictures 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 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 to be this time. It’s been reported, nonetheless, that the iPhone 16’s digicam module may very well be getting a design refresh. Apple is perhaps 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 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 latest WWDC occasion. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 ought to be out there inside the week following the occasion. The software program replace includes a extra customizable Management Middle and House Display. It’s going to additionally lastly convey RCS help 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 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 received’t be capable of idiot round with AI instantly.

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 yr seems to be to be no completely different. As a matter of truth, this can be a large yr for the Apple Watch. We’re arising on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as as to if the subsequent entry will probably 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 screen that’s extra consistent with the Extremely. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm type issue and introduce a 49mm design.

Rumors have additionally advised that Apple has fully redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This may seemingly make these straps simpler to regulate, however there’s a draw back. This transfer might make it so all of these previous bands now not work.

After all, there’s going to be a brand new chip to energy these watches, however we don’t have any specifics. It’s been advised 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 probably 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 attainable certainly one 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 outing. It’ll seemingly 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 among the key options of the Apple Watch, so the corporate has been engaged 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 growing 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 attainable 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 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 least expensive wearable is the $200 Galaxy Watch FE. Apple could wish 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 might characteristic 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 preserve tempo with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Professional. It’s been advised 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 characteristic related designs, although the mid-tier variant is more likely to help energetic noise cancellation just like the Professional mannequin. 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 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.

Yet one more factor

The iPhone occasion doesn’t sometimes have a “one more 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, which would come with ditching the USB-A port, in response to Gurman. Analysts have advised that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop laptop and may very well 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 attainable Apple will spend a couple of minutes on the pc on the iPhone occasion. Nonetheless, don’t rely on it. That is an occasion for iPhones and smartwatches and a miniaturized desktop might really feel misplaced. And, identical to it did final 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 the moment “thought of ‘constrained’ internally,” in response to 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, 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 techniques at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion can be a great time to announce official launch dates.

One… early factor?

Here is one thing we all know for certain: 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 sporting the upcoming earbuds, earlier than a “Powerbeats Pro 2” wordmark and “Coming 2025” flash up on display screen.

That is it — there isn’t any point out of specs, pricing, or a tighter launch window, however we do at the least see a tweaked design. You possibly can learn senior reporter Billy Steele’s evaluation of this glimpse right here. Likelihood is we can’t hear about this new set of buds on the iPhone occasion, however count on to see them adorning many extra athlete and celeb 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 in regards to the newest Apple rumors, together with the brand new digicam button for iPhone, tweaks to display screen 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 “super slim” iPhone redesign by to the corporate’s burgeoning ambitions in residence robotics. You possibly can take heed to the episode above, and a full transcript is obtainable right 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 have 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.

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

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