All the iPhone 16, AirPods and Apple Watch news expected on Monday

For Apple devotees, the greatest tech day of the yr is lastly nearly right here: The Apple iPhone 16 launch occasion. It will happen tomorrow, September 9, at 1PM ET in Cupertino, CA, and you’ll be able to stream it reside on YouTube or the firm’s web site. We’ll even be live-blogging the news and hopefully will get an opportunity to take a look at the new iPhone after the occasion.

The most important news 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 — possibly even three, if Apple showcases a brand new SE.

Past that, rumors have been swirling a couple of refresh of the normal 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 yr, whereas others in all probability will not see the gentle of day till 2025 or past. However till Tim Prepare dinner takes the (digital) stage, nonetheless, all the things 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 good news for individuals prepared for an improve. The dangerous (ish) news? The overwhelming majority of leaks and rumors point out that this shall be one other yr of iterative enhancements, so don’t anticipate a game-changing new {hardware} characteristic.

There’s more likely to be 4 new fashions introduced at 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 keeping with 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 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 case 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 probably 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. Primarily based on a supply who apparently nailed final yr’s grey titanium colour, 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 firm’s current push towards AI, also called Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip shall be an iterative enchancment, specs-wise. As is typical, the Professional and Professional Max will probably get a extra highly effective chip than the normal fashions. It appears like the base quantity of RAM right here shall be 8GB, in order to deal with these aforementioned AI duties.

It’s additionally been rumored that the normal 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 alternative for the mute swap, by default, however may be adjusted to regulate a bunch of various issues. The Motion Button can be utilized to to alter ringer settings, flip on the flashlight, launch the digicam and extra.

There’s additionally discuss of one other new button, this one on the proper facet of the telephone. This may 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 in and out 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 since 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, nonetheless, that the iPhone 16’s digicam module could possibly be getting a design refresh. Apple is likely to be ditching the sq. and going with a vertical orientation. This may solely apply to the base iPhone 16 and possibly the Plus, as the Professional and Professional Max telephones have a tendency to position a a lot greater emphasis on photographs and movies.

We already know what’s coming on the software program facet of issues, because of the current WWDC occasion. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 needs to be obtainable inside the week following the occasion. The software program replace incorporates a extra customizable Management Heart and House Display screen. 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 expected 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 finish of Apple’s broadly panned FineWoven case, which was simply launched final yr as an alternative choice to 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 firm 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 interchange FineWoven.

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 appears to be no completely different. As a matter of truth, this can be 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 subsequent entry shall 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 an even bigger display that’s extra in keeping with the Extremely. It’s expected that the firm will ditch the 41mm kind issue and introduce a 49mm design.

Rumors have additionally advised that Apple has utterly redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This may probably make these straps simpler to regulate, however there’s a draw back. This transfer might make it so all of these previous 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 advised that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s current foray into AI, however that integration is more likely to occur later on. For now, Apple Intelligence shall be tethered to iPhone, iPad and Mac.

There are more likely to be two watches revealed at the occasion, that are codenamed N217 and N218. It’s attainable one in all these shall be the Apple Watch Extremely 3, although Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch received’t get a serious redesign this day trip. It’ll probably be an iterative refresh.

On the software program entrance, it appears like Apple has run into some snags whereas creating long-anticipated well being monitoring instruments. Well being monitoring is one in all the key options of the Apple Watch, so the firm has been working on new sensors to detect hypertension and sleep apnea. Nevertheless, the tech will probably not be prepared for this yr’s smartwatch. Apple’s additionally been creating 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 publicizes 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 shall 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 line with a Bloomberg roundup that was printed 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 news right here is that each new AirPods 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 advised that the cheaper of the two forthcoming fashions would lack wi-fi charging, however that the mid-tier model would assist this expertise. That is the similar technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is smart. The case for the dearer AirPods may additionally embrace a speaker, which might make it simpler to search out with Apple’s Discover My characteristic.

Each variations ought to characteristic comparable designs, although the mid-tier variant is more likely to assist energetic noise cancellation 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 probably 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 (and they’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 ultimately 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 keeping with Gurman. Analysts have advised that this shall be the firm’s smallest ever desktop laptop and could possibly be round the similar dimension of an Apple TV streaming field.

There’ll reportedly be two variations of the upcoming Mac Mini, one with the normal 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 attainable Apple will spend a couple of minutes on the laptop at the iPhone occasion. Nevertheless, 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 yr.

There’s additionally plenty 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 “considered ‘constrained’ internally,” in keeping with Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is more likely 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 also be popping out someday this fall. Apple already detailed all three working programs 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 positive: 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. In 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 not any point out of specs, pricing, or a tighter launch window, however we do no less than see a tweaked design. You’ll be able to learn senior reporter Billy Steele’s evaluation of this glimpse right here. Likelihood is we cannot hear about this new set of buds at 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 about the newest Apple rumors, together with the new digicam button for iPhone, tweaks to display sizes, the 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 “super slim” iPhone redesign by way of to the firm’s burgeoning ambitions in residence robotics. You’ll be able to hearken to the episode above, and a full transcript is obtainable 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 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 colour 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 about the two new units of AirPods.