What to anticipate on the iPhone 16 launch occasion on Monday

For Apple devotees, the largest tech day of the 12 months is arising: The Apple iPhone 16 launch occasion. It’s going to happen on September 9 at 1PM ET in Cupertino, CA, and you may stream it stay 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 — perhaps even three, if Apple showcases a brand new SE.

Past that, rumors have been swirling a few 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 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, nonetheless, the whole lot is pure hypothesis. With that mentioned, let’s get into the almost certainly 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 in the course of the Apple occasion. That’s excellent news for individuals prepared for an improve. The dangerous (ish) information? The overwhelming majority of leaks and rumors point out that this will likely be one other 12 months of iterative enhancements, so don’t anticipate a game-changing new {hardware} function.

There’s prone to be 4 new fashions introduced on the occasion, which has similarities to what Apple did final 12 months. The brand new telephones will allegedly be known as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in response to trade 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 significantly exaggerated.

Even when Apple does not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions is likely to 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 doubtless 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 12 months’s grey titanium coloration, they’re displaying 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 current 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 doubtless get a extra highly effective chip than the usual fashions. It appears to be like 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 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 may 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 best facet of the cellphone. This may management digicam options, working like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} gentle 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 images 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 may very well 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 put a a lot larger emphasis on images and movies.

We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, due to the current WWDC occasion. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 must be obtainable inside the week following the occasion. The software program replace encompasses a extra customizable Management Middle and Residence Display. It’s going to additionally lastly convey 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 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 12 months appears to be like to be no totally different. As a matter of truth, it is a huge 12 months for the Apple Watch. We’re arising on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as as to whether the subsequent entry will likely 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 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 prompt that Apple has utterly redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This may doubtless 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.

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 prompt that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s current foray into AI, however that integration is prone to occur afterward. For now, Apple Intelligence will likely 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 considered 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 trip. It’ll doubtless be an iterative refresh.

On the software program entrance, it appears to be like 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. Nonetheless, the tech will doubtless not be prepared for this 12 months’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 Sequence X.

Lastly, it’s extremely potential that Apple proclaims 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 least expensive wearable is the $200 Galaxy Watch FE. Apple might need to compete nearer to that worth vary.

Two new units of AirPods

It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its normal earbuds. In response to 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 large information right here is that each new AirPods variations are prone to transition to a USB-C case to hold 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 know-how. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is smart. The case for the dearer AirPods may additionally embody a speaker, which might make it simpler to search 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, there’ll doubtless be no refresh of Apple’s high-end Professional earbuds at this occasion. 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. Mark Gurman says they will get USB-C and new colours finally however the timing stays unclear.

Yet 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 response to Gurman. Analysts have prompt that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop laptop and may very well 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 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, identical to it did final fall, Apple might simply maintain a Mac-specific occasion later this 12 months.

There’s additionally lots of noise on-line about an upcoming iPad mini refresh. Apple’s smallest iPad hasn’t had an replace since 2021, and is presently “thought of ‘constrained’ internally,” in response to 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, 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 an excellent 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 carrying the upcoming earbuds, earlier than a “Powerbeats Pro 2” wordmark and “Coming 2025” flash up on display screen.

That is it — there is no point out of specs, pricing, or a tighter launch window, however we do no less than 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 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 concerning 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 just a little extra element on the way forward for Apple, from subsequent 12 months’s “super slim” iPhone redesign by means of to the corporate’s burgeoning ambitions in dwelling robotics. You possibly can hearken to the episode above, and a full transcript is on the market right here.

Replace, September 6 2024, 9:30AM ET: This story has been up to date a number of occasions 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.

• Added extra particulars concerning the two new units of AirPods.