All of the iPhone 16, Apple Watch and AirPods information anticipated right now

For Apple followers, the largest tech day of the 12 months is lastly right here: The Apple iPhone 16 launch occasion. It’s going to happen later right now, September 9, at 1PM ET in Cupertino, CA, and you’ll stream it dwell on YouTube or the corporate’s web site. We’ll even be live-blogging the information and hopefully will get an opportunity to take a look at the brand new iPhone after the occasion.

The largest information we’re anticipating from Apple’s It is Glowtime occasion is the iPhone 16 lineup. Following previous occasions, we’re additionally anticipating a brand new Apple Watch or two. However a late-breaking replace from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman means that we can’t be seeing a full refresh on the Apple Watch Extremely line — only a new Extremely 2 shade. (See under for particulars).

Past that, rumors have been swirling about numerous adjustments to the AirPods line, together with new noise-canceling fashions and perhaps even a small refresh to the AirPods Max. And what about new M4 Macs, HomePods, iPad mini and even the baseline iPhone SE? A few of these might hit later this 12 months, whereas others in all probability will not see the sunshine of day till 2025 or past. However till Tim Prepare dinner takes the (digital) stage, nevertheless, all the pieces is pure hypothesis. With that mentioned, let’s get into the almost definitely 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 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 12 months of iterative enhancements, so don’t anticipate a game-changing new {hardware} function.

There are prone 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 referred to as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in keeping 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 Ultra” moniker appear to have been tremendously exaggerated.

Even when Apple would 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 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 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 12 months’s grey titanium shade, they’re exhibiting off what seems to be extra of a dusky sand hue than gold.

On the {hardware} facet 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 appears to be like 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 launched final 12 months 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 vary ringer settings, activate the flashlight, launch the digicam and extra.

There’s additionally speak of one other new button, this one on the fitting facet of the telephone. This can management digicam options, working like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} gentle press will set off autofocus and a tougher press will take a photograph. Customers may additionally 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 seem like this time. It’s been reported, nevertheless, 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 perhaps the Plus, because the Professional and Professional Max telephones have a tendency to put a a lot greater emphasis on pictures and movies.

We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, because of the latest WWDC occasion. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 must be accessible inside the week following the occasion. The software program replace incorporates a extra customizable Management Heart and Residence Display screen. It’s going to 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, but it surely’s been delayed till 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.

The brand new iPhone drop may additionally spell the top of Apple’s extensively panned FineWoven case, which was simply launched final 12 months as a substitute for leather-based however has been criticized for sturdiness points. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman not too long ago reported that FineWoven stock is getting low, suggesting the corporate is both phasing it out or planning a refresh. One leaker on the Saturday forward of the occasion shared a take a look at an array of iPhone circumstances in impartial colours, claiming these could also be popping out in a brand new materials to switch FineWoven.

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 appears to be like to be no totally different. As a matter of truth, this can be a huge 12 months for the Apple Watch. We’re developing on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as as to whether the subsequent entry will probably be referred to as the Apple Watch Collection 10 or the Collection X.

It doesn’t matter what it finally ends up being referred to as, Apple’s subsequent customary smartwatch is reported to have a much bigger display that’s extra in step with the Extremely. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm kind issue and introduce a 49mm design.

Rumors have additionally prompt that Apple has fully 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 may make it so all of these outdated 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 prompt 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 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 among these would be the Apple Watch Extremely 3, although Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch received’t get a significant redesign this day out. It’ll seemingly be an iterative refresh.

On the software program entrance, it appears to be like 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 engaged on new sensors to detect hypertension and sleep apnea. Nevertheless, the tech will seemingly not be prepared for this 12 months’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 Collection X.

Lastly, it’s extremely doable that Apple declares 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 might need to compete nearer to that value vary.

Two new units of AirPods

It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its customary earbuds. In line with a Bloomberg roundup that was revealed on September 6, Apple will introduce 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 new AirPods variations are prone to transition to a USB-C case to maintain tempo with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Professional. It’s been prompt 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. The case for the costlier AirPods may additionally embody a speaker, which might make it simpler to seek out with Apple’s Discover My function.

Each variations ought to function comparable designs, although the mid-tier variant is prone to assist lively noise cancellation just like the Professional mannequin. If that is the case, it is not likely clear what’s left to distinguish these earbuds from the AirPods Professional, however we’ll discover out quickly sufficient.

As for the AirPods Max, 4 years on, we’d lastly an up to date mannequin, too. In a tweet only a day earlier than the large occasion, Mark Gurman says we may see a brand new pair of premium headphones. They’re going to get USB-C and “better noise cancellation.”

Another 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 making ready an enormous redesign of the Mac mini, which would come with ditching the USB-A port, in keeping with Gurman. Analysts have prompt that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop laptop and may very well 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 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 rely 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 12 months.

There’s additionally a variety 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-about ‘constrained’ internally,” in keeping with Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is prone 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 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 12 months. 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.

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 evaluation of this glimpse right here. Likelihood is we can’t hear about this new set of buds on the iPhone occasion, however anticipate 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 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 most recent Apple Watch fashions. There’s additionally just a little extra element on the way forward for Apple, from subsequent 12 months’s “super slim” iPhone redesign by to the corporate’s burgeoning ambitions in dwelling robotics. You may hearken to the episode above, and a full transcript is on the market right here.

Replace, September 9 2024, 8:00AM 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 a hyperlink to our liveblog and last-minute rumors from Bloomberg about new AirPods Max.

• 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 piece on the shock announcement of the Powerbeats Professional 2.

• Added extra particulars in regards to the two new units of AirPods.