What we anticipate 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 may watch it reside by way of 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 current Septembers, we additionally anticipate 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 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, every little thing 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 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 likely be one other 12 months of iterative enhancements, so don’t anticipate 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 12 months. The brand new telephones will allegedly be referred to as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in accordance 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 vastly exaggerated.

Even when Apple does not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions may be getting barely bigger screens, which is all the time good (for those who 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 colour 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. Based mostly on a supply who apparently nailed final 12 months’s grey titanium colour, 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 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 possible 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 characteristic launched final 12 months for the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct alternative for the mute swap, by default, however will 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 digital camera and extra.

There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the suitable facet of the cellphone. This can management digital camera options, working like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} delicate press will set off autofocus and a more durable press will take a photograph. Shoppers may additionally be capable of swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas capturing pictures or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digital camera button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is sensible for the reason that high-end fashions usually supply a extra strong digital camera expertise.

To that finish, new iPhones all the time get a digital camera 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 digital camera module may very well 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 possibly the Plus, because the Professional and Professional Max telephones have a tendency to put a a lot larger emphasis on pictures and movies.

We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, due to the current WWDC occasion. Based mostly on earlier years, iOS 18 must be accessible throughout the week following the occasion. The software program replace contains a extra customizable Management Heart and Dwelling Display. It’s going to additionally lastly deliver 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 anticipated in October, however does imply that early adopters of the iPhone 16 gained’t be capable of idiot round with AI straight away.

Apple Watch Sequence 10 and Apple Watch Extremely 3

Ever since 2016, iPhone occasions have additionally included a deep dive on the newest Apple Watch. This 12 months appears to be like to be no totally different. As a matter of reality, this can be 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 if the following entry will likely be referred to as the Apple Watch Sequence 10 or the Sequence X.

It doesn’t matter what it finally ends up being referred to as, Apple’s subsequent customary smartwatch is reported to have an even bigger display screen that’s extra in keeping 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 might 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 recommended that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s current foray into AI, however that integration is more likely to occur in a while. 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 doable one in all these would be the Apple Watch Extremely 3, although Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch gained’t get a serious redesign this trip. It’ll possible 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 among 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 12 months’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 Sequence X.

Lastly, it’s extremely doable 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 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 customary 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 hold 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 help this expertise. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is sensible.

Each variations ought to characteristic comparable designs, although the mid-tier variant is more likely to help lively 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.

Yet another factor

The iPhone occasion doesn’t usually 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 a large redesign of the Mac mini, which would come with ditching the USB-A port, in accordance with Gurman. Analysts have recommended that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop pc and may very well 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 start out delivery 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 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 a number 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 accordance with Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is more likely to come quickly, it is not 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 be popping out someday this fall. Apple already detailed all three working techniques at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion could be an excellent time to announce official launch dates.

One… early factor?

This 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 screen.

That is it — there is not any point out of specs, pricing, or a tighter launch window, however we do a minimum of see a tweaked design. You’ll be able to learn senior reporter Billy Steele’s evaluation of this glimpse right here. Chances are high we can’t hear about this new set of buds on the iPhone occasion, however anticipate to see them adorning many extra athlete and superstar 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 digital camera button for iPhone, tweaks to display screen sizes, the brand new AirPods lineup and what to anticipate from the newest Apple Watch fashions. There’s additionally a bit 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 house robotics. You’ll be able to take heed to the episode above, and a full transcript is offered right here.

Replace, September 4 2024, 7:00PM 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 colour 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.