Apple is set to hold its highly anticipated annual fall event on Monday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m., with the primary focus likely to be on the latest iPhone releases. Pacific Time. Several innovative gadgets are poised to emerge, accompanied by fresh fashion trends, revamped Apple Watch models, and potential additional surprises.
Based on current rumors, Apple’s “It is Glowtime” event will likely feature all of these elements.
Apple has announced the latest iteration of its iconic smartphone series: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. These two new devices promise to deliver even greater power, stunning visuals, and innovative features that will revolutionize your mobile experience.
The iPhone 16 series is expected to retain the same sleek design as its predecessor, the iPhone 15, with subtle tweaks, while introducing exciting new features to anticipate.
Apple is set to make the Motion Button available on the iPhone 16 series, abandoning its exclusive availability on Professional models and rolling it out across all iPhone 16 variants. The Motion button is designed to seamlessly switch between multiple functions, including activating Focus mode, assigning a convenient Shortcut, opening the Digicam app, illuminating the surroundings with the Flashlight, and offering additional features at your fingertips. By integrating the Motion Controller with Microsoft’s Management Hub, developers can unlock new possibilities by assigning Management Hub commands to the controller, enabling seamless control over various applications and features. Third-party creators can also leverage this integration to craft innovative Management Hub experiences.
All iPhone 16 models will feature a Capture button, situated on the upper right side, directly below the Power button, in conjunction with the Motion button. On U.S. The iPhone’s mmWave antenna will likely remain in its current position on iPhone 15 models before moving to the left on subsequent iPhone 16 models. While many speculate it will be available across all markets, there’s a possibility it might be limited to professional versions only.
The Seize Button is designed to capture moments by taking photographs and videos, while also responding to stress and serving as a prompt for additional guidance and support. When using a lightweight press, autofocus functionality is enabled, whereas a more substantial press triggers the camera to take the shot. Swiping left or right on the screen enables zooming in or out, while a possible toggle allows for seamless switching between photo and video modes.
Instead of slightly deviating from the diagonal digital camera arrangement Apple has employed in recent iPhone models, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus may feature a vertical camera setup for their dual-lens camera systems. The vertical association may enable iPhones to capture high-quality spatial video for the Visual Professional.
While the dominant digital camera may not see significant upgrades, Apple could potentially enhance the Extremely Large camera’s aperture to boost low-light performance and introduce support for macro mode for the first time.
The iPhone 16 is expected to introduce new colours, with speculation centring on five options: sleek black, calming green, soft pink, vibrant blue, and crisp white. When faced with these scenarios, the white color takes precedence over the original yellow hue used in iPhone 15 models. Rumors suggest Apple will employ its signature colour-infused AG Glass technology, previously seen on the iPhone 15, but this time with a frosted finish that subtly contrasts with the device’s overall hue.
Apple could opt for an eco-friendly OLED display that boosts battery life by leveraging its low power consumption and increases overall brightness.
The iPhone 16 series is expected to feature A18 chips across all models, including the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, enabling seamless integration with the upcoming Apple Intelligence features arriving with iOS 18. There exists unannounced Apple Intelligence performance tailored specifically for iPhones.
The forthcoming A18 processors are set to be fabricated using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) advanced 3-nanometer process technology, with Apple expected to integrate enhanced Neural Engine capabilities to further bolster its AI-driven Apple Intelligence ecosystem. The iPhone 16 models will come equipped with 8GB of RAM, a significant upgrade from the 6GB found in their predecessors, which is expected to enhance performance and facilitate seamless integration with AI features. Rumors suggest Apple might be developing a cutting-edge thermal design to combat overheating issues and optimize device performance.
It’s possible that the standard iPhone 16 model may experience a slight boost in battery life due to a minor performance upgrade reportedly incoming. While leveraging the chip’s effectiveness, minor upgrades could be implemented across models, pending the energy consumption of these new features.
We have expanded on the options.
iPhones 16 Pro Series: Experience Unparalleled Performance and Camera Capabilities
The iPhone 16 series and Pro Max are rumored to debut an innovative Seize Button, alongside camera upgrades on these devices?
Apple is reportedly developing an Extremely Large lens with a 48-megapixel resolution, which employs pixel binning to produce images at resolutions as low as 12 megapixels. The primary benefit of this technology is expected to be significantly improved image quality in low-light conditions, particularly for wide-angle and macro photography applications. The 5x telephoto lens, previously exclusive to the 15 Pro Max, is now being made available to the 16 Pro, allowing all Professionals to access this feature for the first time.
The iPhone 16 Pro models may capture 4K video at up to 120 frames per second, an enhancement from the current 60 frames per second limit for 4K recording. While Apple has explored the potential of 8K recording, its inclusion in the initial release remains unclear. Apple intends to introduce a feature that enables users to pause and resume video recordings at their discretion.
As the iPhone 12 drives innovation forward, its show dimension has finally started to see an upward trajectory, marking a significant milestone in the history of mobile devices. The iPhone 16 series is expected to feature larger displays, with the standard model sporting a 6.3-inch screen, an increase of 0.2 inches over the predecessor’s 6.1-inch size. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max could boast a substantial 6.9-inch display, a 0.2-inch upgrade from its 6.7-inch predecessor. The change will likely be subtle but perceptible if you have an iPhone 16 Pro alongside it.
The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max may bring significant upgrades, including a potential switch to a new Sony sensor capable of delivering superior image quality, marked by enhanced dynamic range and reduced noise levels.
Apple is poised to slim down the bezels around the display’s perimeter, while also incorporating more environmentally friendly OLED screen technology, potentially leading to improved brightness and contrast ratios. In response to certain requests, the bezels may actually be.
The iPhone 16 designs are expected to feature an A18 chip universally, although potential variations may arise. The iPhone 16 Professional may employ a cutting-edge A18 processor featuring an enhanced graphics processing unit (GPU) core, enabling seamless operation of Apple Intelligence across all models. A novel thermal architecture featuring a graphene heatsink and metallic battery casing is anticipated, with the potential for the heatsink to debut in the iPhone 16, while other thermal enhancements may be reserved for Pro models only.
Apple is poised to integrate Qualcomm’s X75 5G modem into its professional devices, enabling faster 5G speeds through carrier aggregation. The X75 employs a single, hybrid transceiver combining mmWave and sub-6GHz capabilities, thereby reducing its size and power consumption.
The upcoming iPhone may experience significant improvements in battery life, thanks to the integration of the X75 chip and A18 processor, as well as Apple’s decision to incorporate slightly larger batteries, resulting in a 5-9% boost in capacity. Rumors suggest that iPhone 16 Pro models may support Wi-Fi 7, but it’s also possible that Apple might hold this feature until next year. Storage needs vary depending on the specific requirements of your business.
Rumors of 20W charging speeds and 40W wired charging capabilities have circulated early on, but these claims now seem increasingly unlikely. The microphone’s design could incorporate advanced water-resistance features and utilize AI-enhanced algorithms to produce high-quality audio with reduced noise interference. While there might be some iPhone 16 Professional-specific Apple Intelligence features we’re unaware of for now.
As with each new iPhone launch, fresh color options become available. This year, we’re expecting the standard palette of black, white, and pure titanium options, with the added twist of a limited-edition gold hue. While some speculate the new iPhone’s colour is a warm bronze hue, others suggest a deeper, richer brown tone similar to Apple’s previous gold offerings. However, the colour’s subtlety means its true shade can only be accurately described under specific lighting conditions. According to Mark Gurman, the new shade appears to be spectacular in every sense, with no room for disappointment, much like the initial renderings that left a lasting impression.
Rumors surrounding the iPhone 16 Professional’s potential features have sparked intense speculation among tech enthusiasts.
Apple Watch Sequence 10
Apple is revamping its Apple Watch lineup over the next 12 months, but uncertainties surround the specifics of the upcoming updates. As the Apple Watch celebrates its tenth birthday in 2024, marking a decade since its launch in September 2014, it’s likely that this milestone edition will be dubbed “Series 10”, building upon the Apple Watch 2015 model. While whispers of a significant anniversary overhaul have circulated, uncertainty surrounds whether the update will materialize this year or next.
Apple’s upcoming Apple Watch is expected to debut with a sleeker design, boasting an even slimmer profile compared to its predecessors, while simultaneously amplifying its overall scale. Somewhat smaller than the typical 41mm and 45mm styles, it seems that we’re on track to also offer 45mm and 49mm options. By reducing bezels and increasing the size of the casing, measurement accuracy could potentially benefit. A 4mm bounce will result in a perceivable, yet modest enhancement rather than a dramatic shift.
There are rumors of a next-generation Apple Watch featuring a 2-inch screen, slightly larger than the 49mm display on the Apple Watch Extreme model. The display screen may be destined for the 49mm Series 10. Apple may fortify its devices’ water resistance by redesigning the system to withstand the rigors of high-speed water sports, potentially achieving a certification depth of up to 20 meters? The newly introduced Sequence 10 models now feature the Depth app, previously available exclusively on the Apple Watch Ultra.
While the latest designs exhibit increased dimensions and a slimmer profile, the modern fashions appear remarkably similar to the current Apple Watch styles, lacking any groundbreaking innovations. Although Mark Gurman initially suggested that Apple was developing a new magnetic band attachment system, the latest reports indicate that this feature may not be ready for release in the near future.
Apple plans to substitute the OLED display with a more eco-friendly option, accompanied by a larger chassis, which would enable a substantial battery upgrade, ultimately resulting in extended battery life.
According to reports, Apple is poised to introduce a cutting-edge cardiovascular monitoring system in the upcoming Apple Watch Series 10, featuring advanced heartbeat tracking and electrocardiogram (ECG) capabilities, which could enable novel functions such as sleep apnea detection. Despite long-standing rumors, the fate of sleep apnea detection on the Series 10 remained uncertain, pending resolution of a lingering patent dispute that had previously forced Apple to disable blood oxygen monitoring on its latest watches in the US market.
Sleep apnea causes a person’s breathing to stop temporarily while they are asleep, often leading to excessive daytime fatigue. Obstructive sleep apnea is typically diagnosed through a sleep study, and addressing the condition often necessitates the use of respiratory equipment such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. According to reports, the forthcoming Apple Watch Series 10 and Extreme 2 models will allegedly feature the capacity to detect sleep apnea through their advanced sleep monitoring capabilities, providing valuable insights only after compiling sleep data over several days.
Apple had also intended to introduce blood pressure monitoring capabilities in Series 10, but that feature was ultimately not ready for release and will not be incorporated into the device at this time.
For several years, the Apple Watch has relied on an S-series chip with minimal modifications. But this year’s S10 is expected to bring a significant boost in performance. According to Mark Gurman, Apple Watch’s core intelligence features may potentially be expanded with AI-driven wellness coaching services in the future.
What new details have emerged about the forthcoming Apple Watch?
Apple Watch Extremely 3
As the latest Apple Watch Series 10 debuts with innovative wellbeing features, Apple is poised to incorporate these enhancements into its forthcoming next-generation Apple Watch Ultra, slated for release this autumn. We don’t expect a new design or physical updates to the system, but it will receive the same chip and health features that Apple plans to roll out in the Apple Watch Series 10.
Apple Watch SE 3
Rumors suggest that the next iPhone, possibly to be released this fall, may abandon its traditional aluminum casing in favor of a new design.
Inflexible plastic materials would maintain prices low, while also offering superior scratch and drop resistance compared to aluminum. The Apple Watch is available in a vibrant range of colors that are sure to captivate young people.
Apple offers the Apple Watch as a viable option for parents seeking a device that provides their children with a means of communication and personal safety, while also potentially introducing a more affordable Apple Watch SE model to distinguish it from its aluminum-based counterparts.
Since Apple introduced the colorful iPhone 5c, it has refrained from utilizing plastic for the casing of its devices. The Apple Watch SE is likely to retain its existing design, with no notable aesthetic changes or functional enhancements beyond a performance boost courtesy of an updated processor.
AirPods 4
Reports suggest that multiple versions of AirPods 4 are in development, featuring distinct designs for each. The latest AirPods iteration appears poised to blend the features of its predecessors with the sleek design of the Pro model, incorporating a significantly shorter stem. ‘S Mark Gurman claims that, though his words are unclear in their intent.’
If the upper-priced AirPods 4 are equipped with Energetic Noise Cancellation, a feature previously exclusive to the AirPods Pro and Earbuds Pro, this would mark a significant upgrade for these earphones. The entry-level mannequin will represent a significant step forward from our current offerings.
Pricing for these new fashion styles has not been disclosed. The AirPods Pro 3 retail for $179 with a MagSafe case, while the AirPods 2 start at $129 and the AirPods Pro 2 max out at $249, positioning the new model to fall somewhere in between. The lower-cost AirPods 4 might see a price drop to align with the AirPods 2, which will be discontinued, while the ANC model could be priced between $180-$200, undercutting the AirPods Pro significantly.
Apple is reportedly planning to refresh the AirPods 4 case, potentially introducing a redesigned aesthetic. The new device will feature a speaker that can emit a sound when it’s misplaced, allowing users to easily locate their lost item. Additionally, the device will sport a USB-C charging port instead of the traditional Lightning port, offering greater flexibility and compatibility with various devices. MagSafe charging will still be a feature.
While the AirPods Pro’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is optimized for silicone ear tips, the design-based ANC in question may not match its performance. Still, whispers of improved sound quality persist.
Apple will soon unveil a new feature for AirPods, enabling users to customize audio settings and conduct real-time listening tests with the earbuds. The options may not be available at AirPods’ launch, with subsequent alternatives emerging at a later time.
Different Unlikely Potentialities
AirPods Max
Apple reportedly plans to update its AirPods Max headphones in 2024, but don’t expect a major overhaul just yet. We’re not expecting any significant changes beyond the replacement of Lightning ports with USB-C alternatives and possibly additional color options. It’s possible that the AirPods Max refresh may arrive later than expected, potentially beyond the initial 12-month timeline, with a potential September launch date no longer set in stone.
iPad mini 7
While it’s possible the iPhone may see a significant update in 2024, it’s unlikely to debut at Apple’s September event. Apple is reportedly planning its second event of 2024 for October, which would logically coincide with the release of new M4 Macs.
Adjustments are expected for the next-generation iPad mini, which will retain its 8.3-inch display size and feature an energy-saving button. To address concerns over “jelly scrolling,” there might be a minor adjustment made to the show. Jelly scrolling is a phenomenon that occurs when there’s a perceptible delay or lag while scrolling vertically through text-based content, such as a webpage.
We anticipate the iPad mini to be equipped with a version of the A17 or A18 processor, harmonious with Apple’s technological advancements, potentially accompanied by novel color options, enhanced front-facing camera capabilities, and support for Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
iPad 11
The outdated software hasn’t undergone a refresh since 2022, and it’s long overdue for an update. Rumors are circulating that a brand-new mannequin could debut in 2024, although its actual release may be pushed back to a later date within the year.
While there’s no buzz surrounding potential upgrades for the upcoming iPad generation, industry insiders predict a significant boost in processing power courtesy of an enhanced A-series processor.
Software program Updates
Apple has announced that iOS 18, tvOS 18, and macOS are currently in beta testing, with the company expected to provide a timeline for the release of these new operating system updates later this fall.
iOS 18 and its corresponding updates typically arrive just days ahead of new iPhone launches, with a possible early release when iPhones like the iPhone 16 debut on Friday, September 20, following their initial unveiling on September 9; we may see the software available within the week of September 20.
The possibility exists that exclusive iPhone 16 features, currently under wraps at Apple, could include innovative intelligence options or software surprises awaiting discovery.
The best way to Watch
Apple’s “It’s Glow Time” event will kick off at 10:00 a.m. In Pacific Standard Time on Monday, September 9? Apple will unveil and showcase, with the livestream available via the app on supported devices.
In case you missed the live stream, MacRumors will provide comprehensive coverage on MacRumors.com, including detailed summaries, as well as in-depth analysis of each announcement made during the event, with a follow-up series of articles to be published throughout the ensuing week.
