Apple's iPhone 16 Event: AI, New Hardware, and More

Apple Event 2024: What to expect at the iPhone 16 launch event on Monday

For Apple devotees, the biggest tech day of the year is coming up: The Apple iPhone 16 launch event. It'll take place on September 9 at 1PM ET in Cupertino, CA, and you can stream it live on YouTube or the company's website. We'll also be live-blogging the news and hopefully will get a chance to check out the new iPhone after the event. The biggest news we're expecting from Apple's It's Glowtime event is the iPhone 16 lineup. Following past events, we're also anticipating a new Apple Watch or two -- maybe even three, if Apple showcases a new SE. Beyond that, rumors have been swirling about a refresh of the standard AirPod earbuds. And what about new M4 Macs, HomePods, iPad mini or even the baseline iPhone SE? Some of those may hit later this year, while others probably won't see the light of day until 2025 or beyond. But until Tim Cook takes the (virtual) stage, however, everything is pure speculation. With that said, let's get into the most likely leaks and rumors ahead of the Apple event. No matter what else happens, these new handsets will take center stage during the Apple event. That's good news for people ready for an upgrade. The bad (ish) news? The vast majority of leaks and rumors indicate that this will be another year of iterative improvements, so don't expect a game-changing new hardware feature. There's likely to be four new models announced at the event, which is similar to what Apple did last year. The new phones will allegedly be called the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, according to industry analyst Mark Gurman. This is the exact same naming convention as last year's iPhone 15 reveal, so the rumors of Apple adopting an "iPhone Ultra" moniker seem to have been greatly exaggerated. Even if Apple doesn't use the Ultra naming, the Pro models might be getting slightly larger screens, which is always nice (if you like big phones, that is). The regular Pro is likely to move to 6.3 inches from 6.1 inches, while the Pro Max should hit 6.9 inches, an increase from 6.7 inches. Finally, there will likely be a new color or two, as always. Bloomberg's Gurman suggests that Apple is ready to ditch the blue model in favor of the return of rose gold. Separately, 9to5Mac has reported on a new "gold-colored titanium" hue for the iPhone 16 Pro model. Based on a source who apparently nailed last year's gray titanium color, they are showing off what appears to be more of a dusky sand hue than gold. On the hardware side of things, look for a new chipset that takes advantage of the company's recent push toward AI, also known as Apple Intelligence. Beyond that, the upgraded A18 chip will be an iterative improvement, specs-wise. As is typical, the Pro and Pro Max will likely get a more powerful chip than the standard models. It looks like the base amount of RAM here will be 8GB, so as to handle those aforementioned AI tasks. It's also been rumored that the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will get the Action Button, a feature introduced last year for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct replacement for the mute switch, by default, but can be adjusted to control a bunch of different things. The Action Button can be used to to change ringer settings, turn on the flashlight, launch the camera and more. There's also talk of another new button, this one on the right side of the phone. This will control camera features, operating like a button on a DSLR. Reporting indicates that a soft press will trigger autofocus and a harder press will take a photo. Consumers may also be able to swipe along the button to zoom in and out while shooting photos or taking videos. It's been reported that this camera button will only come with the Pro and Pro Max, which makes sense since the high-end models typically offer a more robust camera experience. To that end, new iPhones always get a camera spec bump, but we don't know exactly what that will look like this time. It's been reported, however, that the iPhone 16's camera module could be getting a design refresh. Apple might be ditching the square and going with a vertical orientation. This might only apply to the base iPhone 16 and maybe the Plus, as the Pro and Pro Max phones tend to place a much higher emphasis on photos and videos. We already know what's coming on the software side of things, thanks to the recent WWDC event. Based on previous years, iOS 18 should be available within the week following the event. The software update features a more customizable Control Center and Home Screen. It'll also finally bring RCS support to iPhones. As for Apple Intelligence, you'll have to wait a bit. It was announced as part of iOS 18, but it's been delayed until iOS 18.1. This isn't a huge deal, as that OS refresh is expected in October, but does mean that early adopters of the iPhone 16 won't be able to fool around with AI right away. Ever since 2016, iPhone events have also included a deep dive on the latest Apple Watch. This year looks to be no different. As a matter of fact, this is a big year for the Apple Watch. We are coming up on the gadget's tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as to whether the next entry will be called the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Series X. No matter what it ends up being called, Apple's next standard smartwatch is reported to have a bigger screen that's more in line with the Ultra. It's expected that the company will ditch the 41mm form factor and introduce a 49mm design. Rumors have also suggested that Apple has completely redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This will likely make these straps easier to adjust, but there's a downside. This move could make it so all of those old bands no longer work. Of course, there's going to be a new chip to power these watches, but we don't have any specifics. It's been suggested that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple's recent foray into AI, but that integration is likely to happen later on. For now, Apple Intelligence will be tethered to iPhone, iPad and Mac. There are likely to be two watches revealed at the event, which are codenamed N217 and N218. It's possible one of these will be the Apple Watch Ultra 3, though Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch won't get a major redesign this time out. It'll likely be an iterative refresh. On the software front, it looks like Apple has run into some snags while developing long-anticipated health tracking tools. Health monitoring is one of the key features of the Apple Watch, so the company has been working on new sensors to detect high blood pressure and sleep apnea. However, the tech will likely not be ready for this year's smartwatch. Apple's also been developing a glucose sensor for almost a decade so, who knows, maybe it'll finally show up with the Series X. Finally, it's highly possible that Apple announces a new version of the budget-friendly Watch SE. This was last updated in 2022, so a refresh is overdue. There has been some reporting that Apple will be swapping out the aluminum exterior with a rigid plastic shell. This should help get costs down even further. As it stands, the Apple Watch SE is $250, but Samsung's cheapest wearable is the $200 Galaxy Watch FE. Apple may want to compete closer to that price range. It's been reported that Apple's prepping two new variants of its standard earbuds. According to a Bloomberg roundup that was published on September 6, Apple will introduce an entry-level model and a mid-tier version, which would effectively replace AirPods 2 and AirPods 3. The big news here is that both new AirPods versions are likely to transition to a USB-C case to keep pace with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Pro. It's been suggested that the cheaper of the two forthcoming models would lack wireless charging, but that the mid-tier version would support this technology. This is the same strategy Apple followed with previous generations, so it makes sense. The case for the more expensive AirPods may also include a speaker, which would make it easier to find with Apple's Find My feature. Both versions should feature similar designs, though the mid-tier variant is likely to support active noise cancellation like the Pro model. If that's the case, it's not really clear what's left to differentiate those earbuds from the AirPods Pro, but we'll find out soon enough. As for the AirPods Max, there will likely be no refresh of Apple's high-end Pro earbuds at this event. It's been four whole years since these premium cans hit store shelves (and they're still stuck using a Lightning port for charging), so a refresh is long overdue. Mark Gurman says they'll get USB-C and new colors eventually but the timing remains unclear. The iPhone event doesn't typically have a "one more thing" moment, but there's one piece of hardware that could get a surprise shout out. It's been rumored that Apple is preparing a massive redesign of the Mac mini, which would include ditching the USB-A port, according to Gurman. Analysts have suggested that this will be the company's smallest ever desktop computer and could be around the same size of an Apple TV streaming box. There will reportedly be two versions of the upcoming Mac Mini, one with the standard M4 chip and another with the more powerful M4 Pro chip. The base model is rumored to start shipping from suppliers this month, so it's possible Apple will spend a few minutes on the computer at the iPhone event. However, don't count on it. This is an event for iPhones and smartwatches and a miniaturized desktop could feel out of place. And, just like it did last fall, Apple could easily hold a Mac-specific event later this year. There's also a lot of noise online about an upcoming iPad mini refresh. Apple's smallest iPad hasn't had an update since 2021, and is currently "considered 'constrained' internally," according to Gurman. While a new model is likely to come soon, it's not common for Apple to announce iPads during its iPhone event. Beyond that, a whole bunch of software updates are about to drop. There's iOS 18, which we've written about extensively, and iPadOS 18. As for smartwatches, watchOS 11 is also coming out sometime this fall. Apple already detailed all three operating systems at WWDC, but the upcoming iPhone event would be a good time to announce official release dates. Here's something we know for sure: Apple has a updated Beats Powerbeats Pro update coming next year. Beats teased an update to the earbuds on its Instagram account on September 4 with a short Reel. In the clip, Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani swings a bat while wearing the upcoming earbuds, before a "Powerbeats Pro 2" wordmark and "Coming 2025" flash up on screen. That's it -- there's no mention of specs, pricing, or a tighter release window, but we do at least see a tweaked design. You can read senior reporter Billy Steele's analysis of this glimpse here. Chances are we won't hear about this new set of buds at the iPhone event, but expect to see them adorning many more athlete and celebrity ears before long. In preparation for Apple's September 9 event, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joined Engadget Podcast hosts Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar to talk all things Apple. The trio talked at length about the latest Apple rumors, including the new camera button for iPhone, tweaks to screen sizes, the new AirPods lineup and what to expect from the latest Apple Watch models. There's also a little more detail on the future of Apple, from next year's "super slim" iPhone redesign through to the company's burgeoning ambitions in home robotics. You can listen to the episode above, and a full transcript is available here. Update, September 6 2024, 9:30AM ET: This story has been updated multiple times since its original publishing. The updates were as follows, in chronological order:

Apple Event 2024: What we expect at the iPhone 16 launch event on Monday, September 9

For Apple devotees, the biggest tech day of the year is coming up: The Apple iPhone 16 event. It'll take place on September 9 at 1PM ET and you can stream it live on YouTube or the company's website. We'll also be live-blogging the news. The biggest news we're expecting from Apple's It's Glowtime event is the iPhone 16 lineup. Following past events, we're also anticipating a new Apple Watch or two -- maybe even three, if Apple showcases a new SE. Beyond that, rumors have been swirling about a refresh of the standard AirPod earbuds. And what about new M4 Macs, HomePods, iPad mini or even the baseline iPhone SE? Some of those may hit later this year, while others probably won't see the light of day until 2025 or beyond. But until Tim Cook takes the (virtual) stage, however, everything is pure speculation. With that said, let's get into the most likely leaks and rumors ahead of the Apple event. No matter what else happens, these new handsets will take center stage during the Apple event. That's good news for people ready for an upgrade. The bad (ish) news? The vast majority of leaks and rumors indicate that this will be another year of iterative improvements, so don't expect a game-changing new hardware feature. There's likely to be four new models announced at the event, which is similar to what Apple did last year. The new phones will allegedly be called the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, according to industry analyst Mark Gurman. This is the exact same naming convention as last year's iPhone 15 reveal, so the rumors of Apple adopting an "iPhone Ultra" moniker seem to have been greatly exaggerated. Even if Apple doesn't use the Ultra naming, the Pro models might be getting slightly larger screens, which is always nice (if you like big phones, that is). The regular Pro is likely to move to 6.3 inches from 6.1 inches, while the Pro Max should hit 6.9 inches, an increase from 6.7 inches. Finally, there will likely be a new color or two, as always. Bloomberg's Gurman suggests that Apple is ready to ditch the blue model in favor of the return of rose gold. Separately, 9to5Mac has reported on a new "gold-colored titanium" hue for the iPhone 16 Pro model. Based on a source who apparently nailed last year's gray titanium color, they are showing off what appears to be more of a dusky sand hue than gold. On the hardware side of things, look for a new chipset that takes advantage of the company's recent push toward AI, also known as Apple Intelligence. Beyond that, the upgraded A18 chip will be an iterative improvement, specs-wise. As is typical, the Pro and Pro Max will likely get a more powerful chip than the standard models. It looks like the base amount of RAM here will be 8GB, so as to handle those aforementioned AI tasks. It's also been rumored that the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will get the Action Button, a feature introduced last year for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct replacement for the mute switch, by default, but can be adjusted to control a bunch of different things. The Action Button can be used to to change ringer settings, turn on the flashlight, launch the camera and more. There's also talk of another new button, this one on the right side of the phone. This will control camera features, operating like a button on a DSLR. Reporting indicates that a soft press will trigger autofocus and a harder press will take a photo. Consumers may also be able to swipe along the button to zoom in and out while shooting photos or taking videos. It's been reported that this camera button will only come with the Pro and Pro Max, which makes sense since the high-end models typically offer a more robust camera experience. To that end, new iPhones always get a camera spec bump, but we don't know exactly what that will look like this time. It's been reported, however, that the iPhone 16's camera module could be getting a design refresh. Apple might be ditching the square and going with a vertical orientation. This might only apply to the base iPhone 16 and maybe the Plus, as the Pro and Pro Max phones tend to place a much higher emphasis on photos and videos. We already know what's coming on the software side of things, thanks to the recent WWDC event. Based on previous years, iOS 18 should be available within the week following the event. The software update features a more customizable Control Center and Home Screen. It'll also finally bring RCS support to iPhones. As for Apple Intelligence, you'll have to wait a bit. It was announced as part of iOS 18, but it's been delayed until iOS 18.1. This isn't a huge deal, as that OS refresh is expected in October, but does mean that early adopters of the iPhone 16 won't be able to fool around with AI right away. Ever since 2016, iPhone events have also included a deep dive on the latest Apple Watch. This year looks to be no different. As a matter of fact, this is a big year for the Apple Watch. We are coming up on the gadget's tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as to whether the next entry will be called the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Series X. No matter what it ends up being called, Apple's next standard smartwatch is reported to have a bigger screen that's more in line with the Ultra. It's expected that the company will ditch the 41mm form factor and introduce a 49mm design. Rumors have also suggested that Apple has completely redesigned the band system and added new connectors. This will likely make these straps easier to adjust, but there's a downside. This move could make it so all of those old bands no longer work. Of course, there's going to be a new chip to power these watches, but we don't have any specifics. It's been suggested that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple's recent foray into AI, but that integration is likely to happen later on. For now, Apple Intelligence will be tethered to iPhone, iPad and Mac. There are likely to be two watches revealed at the event, which are codenamed N217 and N218. It's possible one of these will be the Apple Watch Ultra 3, though Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch won't get a major redesign this time out. It'll likely be an iterative refresh. On the software front, it looks like Apple has run into some snags while developing long-anticipated health tracking tools. Health monitoring is one of the key features of the Apple Watch, so the company has been working on new sensors to detect high blood pressure and sleep apnea. However, the tech will likely not be ready for this year's smartwatch. Apple's also been developing a glucose sensor for almost a decade so, who knows, maybe it'll finally show up with the Series X. Finally, it's highly possible that Apple announces a new version of the budget-friendly Watch SE. This was last updated in 2022, so a refresh is overdue. There has been some reporting that Apple will be swapping out the aluminum exterior with a rigid plastic shell. This should help get costs down even further. As it stands, the Apple Watch SE is $250, but Samsung's cheapest wearable is the $200 Galaxy Watch FE. Apple may want to compete closer to that price range. It's been reported that Apple's prepping two new variants of its standard earbuds. The AirPods 4 could feature both an entry-level model and a mid-tier version, which would effectively replace AirPods 2 and AirPods 3. The big news here is that both AirPods 4 versions are likely to transition to a USB-C case to keep pace with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Pro. It's been suggested that the cheaper of the two forthcoming models would lack wireless charging, but that the mid-tier version would support this technology. This is the same strategy Apple followed with previous generations, so it makes sense. Both versions should feature similar designs, though the mid-tier variant is likely to support active noise cancellation like the Pro model. Speaking of, there will likely be no refresh of Apple's high-end Pro earbuds at this event. There's also some mystery surrounding the company's over-ear headphones, AirPods Max. It's been four whole years since these premium cans hit store shelves (and they're still stuck using a Lightning port for charging), so a refresh is long overdue. The iPhone event doesn't typically have a "one more thing" moment, but there's one piece of hardware that could get a surprise shout out. It's been rumored that Apple is preparing a massive redesign of the Mac mini, which would include ditching the USB-A port, according to Gurman. Analysts have suggested that this will be the company's smallest ever desktop computer and could be around the same size of an Apple TV streaming box. There will reportedly be two versions of the upcoming Mac Mini, one with the standard M4 chip and another with the more powerful M4 Pro chip. The base model is rumored to start shipping from suppliers this month, so it's possible Apple will spend a few minutes on the computer at the iPhone event. However, don't count on it. This is an event for iPhones and smartwatches and a miniaturized desktop could feel out of place. And, just like it did last fall, Apple could easily hold a Mac-specific event later this year. There's also a lot of noise online about an upcoming iPad mini refresh. Apple's smallest iPad hasn't had an update since 2021, and is currently "considered 'constrained' internally," according to Gurman. While a new model is likely to come soon, it's not common for Apple to announce iPads during its iPhone event. Beyond that, a whole bunch of software updates are about to drop. There's iOS 18, which we've written about extensively, and iPadOS 18. As for smartwatches, watchOS 11 is also coming out sometime this fall. Apple already detailed all three operating systems at WWDC, but the upcoming iPhone event would be a good time to announce official release dates. Here's something we know for sure: Apple has a updated Beats Powerbeats Pro update coming next year. Beats teased an update to the earbuds on its Instagram account on September 4 with a short Reel. In the clip, Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani swings a bat while wearing the upcoming earbuds, before a "Powerbeats Pro 2" wordmark and "Coming 2025" flash up on screen. That's it -- there's no mention of specs, pricing, or a tighter release window, but we do at least see a tweaked design. You can read senior reporter Billy Steele's analysis of this glimpse here. Chances are we won't hear about this new set of buds at the iPhone event, but expect to see them adorning many more athlete and celebrity ears before long. In preparation for Apple's September 9 event, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joined Engadget Podcast hosts Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar to talk all things Apple. The trio talked at length about the latest Apple rumors, including the new camera button for iPhone, tweaks to screen sizes, the new AirPods lineup and what to expect from the latest Apple Watch models. There's also a little more detail on the future of Apple, from next year's "super slim" iPhone redesign through to the company's burgeoning ambitions in home robotics. You can listen to the episode above, and a full transcript is available here. Update, September 4 2024, 7:00PM ET: This story has been updated multiple times since its original publishing. The updates were as follows, in chronological order:

Everything to Expect From the 'It's Glowtime' Apple Event

Apple will hold its annual fall iPhone-centric event on Monday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are multiple new devices on the horizon, including new iPhone 16 models, refreshes for all of the Apple Watches, new AirPods 4, and perhaps some other surprises. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will look almost identical to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, with few design changes planned, but there are new capabilities to look forward to. Apple plans to bring the Action Button to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, so it won't be a Pro-exclusive feature anymore and will be available on all iPhone 16 models. The Action Button can be set to turn on a Focus mode, activate a Shortcut, open the Camera, activate the Flashlight, and more. With iOS 18, it can do even more because you can also assign Control Center controls to the Action Button, and third-party developers can now make Control Center options. The Capture Button will be used to take images and video, and it will respond to pressure and touch for extra gesture support. A light press will autofocus, while a harder press will take the shot. Swiping left and right will zoom in or out, and there may also be an option for swapping between photo and video modes. Rather than the diagonal camera that Apple has used for the last several iPhone models, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will have a vertical camera arrangement for the dual-lens camera system. The vertical arrangement could allow for the iPhones to capture spatial video for the Vision Pro. The Main camera isn't expected to get an upgrade, but Apple might boost the aperture of the Ultra Wide camera to improve low-light performance and add support for macro mode for the first time. There will be new colors for the iPhone 16 models, with some rumors suggesting we'll see black, green, light pink, blue, and white for five total color options, and other rumors pointing toward green, white, pink, and blue. In both of these scenarios, the white replaces the yellow Apple used for the iPhone 15 models. Apple is rumored to be using the color-infused back glass that it used for the iPhone 15, but with a frosted effect for the glass that contrasts with the frame color. Apple could opt for a more power efficient OLED display that might improve battery life while also increasing overall brightness. A18 chips will be in all the iPhone 16 models, which means the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will support the Apple Intelligence features that are coming in iOS 18. There could also be some iPhone-specific Apple Intelligence functionality that hasn't yet been announced. The A18 chips will be built on TSMC's 3-nanometer process, with Apple expected to include Neural Engine improvements for Apple Intelligence. Both iPhone 16 models will get 8GB RAM, up from 6GB in the prior-generation models in order to support AI. Apple may also be planning for a new thermal design that will combat overheating and improve performance. There could be some minor increases to battery life for the standard iPhone 16 model, as it is rumored to be getting a minor capacity boost. Depending on the chip efficiency, we could see some small improvements for both models, but that will depend on how much battery the new features eat up. We have more on the features coming to the iPhone 16 in our roundup. Like the iPhone 16 models, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will get the all-new Capture Button, and in these devices, it will be accompanied by some camera improvements. Apple is planning for a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens that uses pixel binning down to 12-megapixels, and the end result is basically much better performance in low-light for your wide-angle shots and your macro photos. The 5x Telephoto lens that was limited to the 15 Pro Max will be coming to the 16 Pro, so both Pro models will have it this time around. Display size is getting bigger, and it's the first time we've seen an increase in display size since the iPhone 12. The iPhone 16 display will measure in at 6.3 inches, up from 6.1, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have a 6.9-inch display, up from 6.7 inches. The change is not drastic, but it will be noticeable if you have an iPhone 16 Pro next to an iPhone 15 Pro. There could be some improvements to the Main camera, and there's a chance the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have a new Sony sensor that offers higher-quality images with better dynamic range and noise control. We're also expecting the bezels around the edge of the display to be slimmed down, and Apple is rumored to be adopting more efficient OLED display technology, so we could see some improvements to brightness and contrast. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the bezels could be about a third smaller. All of the iPhone 16 models will get an A18 chip, but there could be variants. Apple could use a higher-end A18 chip with an extra GPU core in the Pro models, which would let all iPhone 16 devices run Apple Intelligence, but would still provide for some differentiation between the Pro and non-Pro models. A new thermal architecture with a graphene heatsink and metal battery casing is expected, and while the heatsink is also coming to the iPhone 16, the other thermal changes could be Pro only. Apple is expected to adopt Qualcomm's X75 5G modem in the Pro models for faster 5G speeds through carrier aggregation. The X75 has a combined mmWave and sub-6GHz transceiver rather than using separate hardware, so it's smaller and uses up less power. We could see improvements in battery life with the X75 chip and the A18 processor, plus Apple is using slightly bigger batteries with a 5 to 9 percent jump in capacity. There have been rumors that the iPhone 16 Pro models will support Wi-Fi 7, but that's also a feature Apple might hold until next year. As for storage, both Pro models could start with 256GB. Early on, there were a few rumors about 20W MagSafe charging speeds and 40W wired charging speeds, but that's sounding like a long shot now. The microphone will have better water resistance and better sound thanks to AI. There may also be some iPhone 16 Pro-specific Apple Intelligence features that we don't know about yet. As with every new iPhone launch, there are updated colors. We're expecting the standard black, white, and natural titanium options, but this year's special color is a shade of gold. Some rumors have described it as a bronze shade, and some dummy leaks have suggested that it's a darker brown color than Apple's prior gold selections, but color is so dependent on lighting that it's hard to say for sure. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the shade "looks impressive and not terrible like the early renders." More detail on the iPhone 16 Pro's expected features can be found in the iPhone 16 Pro roundup. Apple is refreshing the Apple Watch this year, but there are some ambiguities and questions about just what we'll see. 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of when the Apple Watch was introduced in September 2014, and it will be the "Series 10," but the Apple Watch launched in 2015. While there have been rumors of a major anniversary refresh, it's been unclear if that will happen this year or next year. There were CAD renders of a next-generation Apple Watch with a 2-inch display, which is just slightly bigger than the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra display. That screen could be destined for the 49mm Series 10. Apple could boost water resistance with the design change, certifying the device for high-speed water sports up to 20 meters deep. The new Series 10 models may get the Depth app, which was first introduced for the Apple Watch Ultra. Aside from the increase in size and the thinner design, the updated models are said to look like the current Apple Watch models with no radical changes. Early on, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was working on a new magnetic band attachment system, but it's no longer sounding like that's a feature we're going to get this year. Apple will update the OLED display to be more energy efficient, and with a bigger casing, battery size may increase too, leading to better battery life. Apple is reportedly planning to include an updated heart rate and ECG sensor in the Apple Watch Series 10 that will enable new features like sleep apnea detection. Sleep apnea detection has been long rumored for the Series 10, but it was unclear if it would be implemented at launch because of an ongoing patent dispute that has seen Apple disable blood oxygen detection in the current-generation Apple watch models in the U.S. Sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing while asleep, which can lead to excessive tiredness. It is usually diagnosed through a sleep study, and fixing it requires a breathing apparatus like a CPAP machine. The Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 will reportedly be able to detect sleep apnea using Apple Watch sleep tracking, providing a reading after collecting sleep data for several days. Apple also wanted to include blood pressure monitoring, but that feature was not ready for launch and will not be included in the Series 10. For the last several years, the Apple Watch has used an S-series chip that's changed little, but this year's S10 is expected to bring a notable upgrade in performance. While the Apple Watch will not get "major" Apple Intelligence capabilities, there could perhaps be AI features tied to a future health coach service, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. We have additional details on what to expect for the Apple Watch in our roundup. If there are new health features in the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple will also add them to the next-generation Apple Watch Ultra that's coming this fall. We aren't expecting a new design or any other physical changes to the device, but it will get the same chip and health features that Apple plans to add to the Apple Watch Series 10. The Apple Watch SE 3 could get a refresh this fall, and there are rumors that Apple will use a plastic casing rather than an aluminum casing for the device. Apple has been promoting the Apple Watch as an option for parents who want to give their kids a device for communication and safety, and a lower-cost Apple Watch SE could help and also differentiate the device from the aluminum Apple Watch models. Apple has not used plastic for the casing of a device since the iPhone 5c, a phone that came in vibrant blue, yellow, pink, and green colors. Aside from a new material, the Apple Watch SE is expected to have the same general design with no updates and no other feature changes except for an improved chip. There are two versions of the AirPods 4 in the works, both of which feature a new design. The updated AirPods will look like a cross between the current AirPods and the AirPods Pro, with Apple adopting a shorter stem. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says there will be an updated fit, but it's not yet clear what that means. Pricing on these new models isn't known yet. The AirPods 3 cost $179 (with MagSafe case), the AirPods 2 are $129, and the AirPods Pro 2 are $249, so Apple needs to price the new model somewhere in the middle. The lower-cost AirPods 4 could get a price drop to put it closer in line with the AirPods 2, which will be discontinued, and the ANC model could be priced between $180 and $200, well below the AirPods Pro. Apple is going to update the AirPods 4 case, and it could have a new look. It will get a speaker for Find My, allowing it to play a sound when lost, and it'll have a USB-C port for charging instead of a Lightning port. MagSafe charging will also still be a feature. Depending on design, the ANC probably won't be on par with the ANC in the AirPods Pro as those have silicone ear tips, but there are rumors of improvements to sound quality. Eventually, Apple plans to announce hearing aid replacement functionality for the AirPods, plus it will add an option for conducting hearing tests with the earbuds. These features may not be available when the AirPods launch, instead coming at a later date. Apple plans to refresh the AirPods Max in 2024, but don't get excited. We aren't expecting any new features except for a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, and possibly new color options. It's more likely that the AirPods Max refresh will come later in the year than at the September event. The iPad mini 7 could see an update in 2024, but it likely won't be coming at Apple's September event. Apple is said to be planning to hold a second event in October 2024, and it would make more sense for the new iPad mini to come out then alongside new M4 Macs. We are expecting the iPad mini to have a variant of the A17 or A18 chip that is compatible with Apple Intelligence, and we could get new colors, an upgraded front-facing camera, and support for Wi-Fi 6E. The iPad hasn't been refreshed since 2022, and it is overdue for an update. There are rumors suggesting we could get a new model in 2024, but it too will likely come out later in the year. There may also be Apple Intelligence features that are exclusive to the iPhone 16 models that Apple has been keeping under wraps, so there may be some software-based surprises coming. Apple's "It's Glowtime" event will start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, September 9. Apple will livestream the event on its website and on YouTube, plus the livestream will be available through the Apple TV app on supported devices.

Everything we expect at Apple's iPhone 16 event: AI features, AirPods, Apple Watch Series 10, more

Apple's September hardware event is just days away. Here are the products we're expecting, and when to tune in to learn all about them. Apple will soon release the iPhone 16 series -- with all the AI glamour in tow. Just recently, the company confirmed that its next hardware event will happen on September 9 at 10 a.m. PT. This year's title is "It's Glowtime," playing to the vibrant and colorful animations that appear when you use the latest AI features on iOS 18, like Siri. Alongside the new iPhones, Apple is expected to announce a new Apple Watch, two AirPods, and possibly more. Also: This rumored iPhone 16 feature will either be pure genius or an ergonomic nightmare Although the iPhone will capture most of the spotlight, and WWDC was only months ago, Apple may also share more about its latest software, including iOS 18, iPadOS 18, tvOS 18, WatchOS 11, VisionOS 2, and MacOS Sequoia. The iPhone 16 event takes place at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, with in-person attendance reserved for staff, partners, and members of the media. However, you can always catch the livestream on Apple's website or the company's YouTube channel if you want to tune in. The iPhone 16 family will be at the forefront of Apple's event on Monday. The new phones are expected to feature upgraded camera systems (including ultrawide and telephoto lenses). With the standard iPhone 16 models, last year's Pro-exclusive features, such as the Action button and capability to shoot spatial videos for VR, will likely be carried over. Also: These 3 rumored iPhone 16 features should have you excited to upgrade The iPhone 16 Pro models are also getting hardware changes in the form of a new Capture Button, with touch-capacitive sensors that users can tap and swipe to control the camera. The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to have new chips under the hood, and the presumed A18 processor will give the iPhone 16 enough power to run the latest features powered by generative AI. The Apple Watch is due for a refresh. To commemorate its 10th generation, Apple is expected to give its Series 10 model thinner bezels and, naturally, larger displays. It'll be the first time since the Apple Watch Series 7 that the mid-tier wearable will receive a noticeable redesign. Improved sensors and health-tracking capabilities are also slated for the new watch, with sleep apnea tracking being a frontrunner among rumors. Also: Apple Watch Series 10 could gain sleep apnea detection - but don't get too excited yet Alongside the Watch Series 10, Apple will also announce the Watch Ultra 3, which is tailored for avid athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. The Watch Ultra 3 will likely not have many changes, but Apple is reportedly upgrading its internal components for better performance and endurance. There will also be a new Apple Watch SE, and it's expected to be built with plastic to keep prices even more affordable than its predecessor. We've been reporting on Apple's upcoming AirPods models since last year, and the company is planning to finally make things official with two new models: one to replace the second-generation AirPods and another to replace the third-generation model. Naturally, one will be the new entry-level option, while the other will sit between that and the more premium AirPods Pro 2. Also: New AirPods are arriving next week. Here are the top 4 features I want to see Notably, the mid-tier model will borrow some features from the Pro, like active noise cancellation and a small speaker on the charging case for Find My alarms. Both models will receive improvements to noise isolation and debut with spatial audio support. It's been almost four years since Apple released its over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, and although they're due for a refresh, it's unlikely the company will announce the next generation during Monday's event -- but I'm hopeful. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has been working on updating the AirPods Max, but plenty are still in stock, signaling a delay in the next generation's release. Apple debuted its in-house generative AI tools, Apple Intelligence, during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. During the conference, we saw how Apple planned to implement Apple Intelligence across its personal devices, such as an upgraded Siri with more conversational capabilities. Also: Why I'm more excited about an iPad Mini with Apple Intelligence than the new iPhone 16 models During Monday's event, expect Apple to showcase further how Apple Intelligence will interact with its smartphones, wearables, and other devices. At the time of writing, the bulk of Apple's AI tools have already been made known to the public, with the iPhone 16 slated to support tools like an emoji generator, enhanced photo editing, suggested text and email responses, and more. Apple unveiled iOS 18 during this year's WWDC. It will be readily installed on all iPhone 16 models and available to download on older iPhones later this month. Plenty of features are packed into the new software, so let's speed run through the best ones. Also: 6 reasons why iOS 18 makes the iPhone 16 a must-upgrade for me Historically, Apple announces "one more thing" at its events, hoping to catch members of the press, industry analysts, and Apple enthusiasts by surprise. In the past, these surprise announcements included iPods, the original Apple Watch, and more recently, the Vision Pro. Also: Why I'm more excited about an iPad Mini with Apple Intelligence than the new iPhone 16 models As I previously mentioned, I'm hoping the surprise is the second-generation AirPods Max. But a more realistic surprise could be a new iPad Mini. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iPad Mini supplies are low, which is a good sign that new ones are on the way. It's been three years since the latest iPad Mini was released, so if a new one does arrive, we expect it to be equipped to run Apple's latest AI features. Stay tuned for the latest news, hands-on reviews, and more on Apple's upcoming event.

Apple iPhone 16: Everything We Know So Far

While we also expect to see a new Apple Watch and AirPods on Sept. 9, the rumored M4 Mac is not likely to appear until October or November. We do have some clues about what to expect from the phone, though. Here's what we've heard so far from reliable sources. When Can I Preorder the iPhone 16? Given Apple's usual schedule, the iPhone 16 should be available for preorder on Friday, Sept. 13, but given that Apple is holding its event on a Monday versus the usual Tuesday, we may also get a one-day jump on preorders. German blog Macerkopf says they will begin on Thursday, Sept. 12. And while MacRumors called that rumor "sketchy," it made that pronouncement before Apple confirmed the date for its Glowtime event. iPhone 16 Colors: Bye-Bye, Blue Titanium Way back in February, we shared speculation from Majin Bu that the iPhone 16 Pro could come in "Desert Yellow (Desert Titanium), similar to the gold of the iPhone 14 Pro but deeper and heavier Cement Gray (Titanium Gray), a shade of space gray similar to that used on iPhone 6." At the time, 9to5Mac noted Bu's "mixed track record of accuracy," but the site recently posted that a bronze shade known as Desert Titanium will replace Blue Titanium, per another rumor from Bu. There's also an image from Sonny Dickson that shows four iPhones in neutral colors. While this might be meant to replace the gold iPhones of yore, they have more of a brown Zune vibe. The Camera Bump Gets Bumped The iPhone's camera bump has grown over time and has, for a while now, been a solid square. This could change with the iPhone 16, which is rumored to be getting two vertically stacked lenses with the flash next to it, as reported by 9to5Mac. This elliptical shape is sleeker, which you can see in this image that Sonny Dickson posted on X. Increased RAM and Storage Capacity To handle the increased load from Apple Intelligence, the base model iPhone 16 and 16 Plus may see a bump in RAM from the current 6GB to 8GB, according to MacRumors analyst Joe Rossignol. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max already have 8GB of RAM and it's not clear if they might receive an upgrade to 10GB or 12GB. Storage is also expected to see an upgrade, with the current default capacity of 128GB expanded to 256GB. Other rumors indicate that Pro models of the iPhone 16 may support up to 2TB of storage. The last iPhones to see an upgrade in RAM or minimum storage capacity were the 12 and the 13, respectively. The iPhone 12 saw a 2GB RAM increase bringing us the current 6GB standard, whereas the 13 was the first iPhone to start with 128GB of storage. Both Pro Models to Get Tetraprism Zoom Lens The iPhone 15 Pro did not get the tetraprism lens found on the 15 Pro Max (instead, it comes with the same 3x optical zoom as the iPhone 14 Pro Max). But according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, that will change in the next-generation iPhones, with the tetraprism feature landing on the iPhone 16 Pro as well as the iPhone 16 Pro Max. As PCMag's Eric Zeman explains, "The tetraprism is basically a periscope, or a way to bend light multiple times through glass, which is a tool other phone makers have used in their cameras since 2017 to bring faraway subjects closer to your smartphone." Getting that option on the smaller Pro model, which currently runs $200 less than the Pro Max, would be a nice money-saving perk. If Apple doesn't raise iPhone prices, that is. Kuo suggests we might end up paying more for the iPhone 16 to cover the camera upgrades. (There were rumors about a $200 iPhone price increase ahead of the iPhone 15 launch, but that only came to the 15 Pro Max, which is $100 more expensive than its predecessor.) Additionally, the camera module of the non-Pro models may return to the vertical design of the iPhone 12. "Aside from tidying up the outside appearance, the change does give another benefit to Apple," says Malcom Owen of Apple Insider. "When used in landscape orientation, the pair of cameras could therefore be used to record spatial video that could be viewed by the Apple Vision Pro." A second 48MP sensor is also rumored for the Pro and the Pro Max, according to Toms Guide. All 4 iPhone 16 Models Get an A18 Chip All four iPhone 16 models will run next-gen A18 chips from Apple, according to analyst Jeff Pu. "We view A17 Pro as a transition design and now expect all the iPhone 16 models to feature A18, on TSMC's N3E," Pu wrote in a research note. N3E means the chips will be made using TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, which is cheaper and easier to produce than the first-gen process, MacRumors notes. That said, Pu tells MacRumors that there will be some differentiation between the chips. Namely, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will run an A18 chip while the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max get an A18 Pro chip. That A18 chip "will feature an upgraded Neural Engine with 'significantly' more cores," MacRumors says, citing Taiwan's Economic Daily News. On the current iPhone lineup, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max run the A17 Pro chip, while the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus both have the A16 Bionic chip also found in the iPhone 14 Pro. iPhone 16 Ultra? In 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was working on an "Ultra" branded device to replace the Pro Max. In February, he followed that up to say it probably won't happen until 2024, and the Ultra version may actually be a new top-tier phone rather than a Pro Max replacement. "But instead of renaming the Pro Max 'the Ultra,' Apple could add an even higher-end iPhone above both Pro models. Internally, the company has discussed doing just that -- potentially in time for the 2024 iPhone release," Gurman said at the time. That report came after Apple CEO Tim Cook said "people are willing to really stretch to get the best they can" in terms of smartphone specs. What would make a phone Ultra? Gurman suggests, "It will probably offer further camera improvements, a faster chip, and perhaps an even larger display. There also may be more future-forward features, such as finally dropping the charging port." The bigger question? Would it be more durable and have a longer battery life as the Apple Watch Ultra does? Capacitive Capture Button According to MacRumors, Apple toyed with a capacitive touch button on the exterior of the iPhone 15, but the project didn't come together in time. It may try again with the iPhone 16, however, adding a button that's similar to the iPhone SE's home button below the power button. It's not entirely clear what this button will be used for, but it'll have haptic feedback and force-touch capability, MacRumors says. The Action button that rolled out for the iPhone 15 Pros will reportedly come to the base iPhone 16, too. Wi-Fi 7 Support On iPhone 16 Pro The iPhone 15 Pro lineup supports Wi-Fi 6E, while the base models stick with the Wi-Fi 6 found on the iPhone 14. According to analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 16 Pro will support Wi-Fi 7. It's the latest standard and should be more widely available in more consumer equipment by the time the iPhone 16 debuts. Screen Size Upgrades Rumors point to larger screen sizes across the iPhone 16 lineup. We're talking 6.3 inches versus 6.1 inches on the smaller phones and 6.9 inches versus 6.7 inches on the Pro and Plus, so it's unclear if the average person will notice a major difference. Still, we're potentially creeping back into phablet territory. (Remember those?) Other rumors are hinting at even slimmer bezels across the entire iPhone 16 lineup. CNET reports that a new type of "border reduction structure technology" will make this possible. This new manufacturing technique reportedly allows for "more compact control circuitry," effectively allowing for a slimmer bezel. The iPhone 16 lineup may also see a screen powered by a new material called M14, which Samsung is reportedly developing for Apple. This new material will allow for a more power-efficient display that will do away with the current blue, fluorescent screens. Better Battery Life Every iPhone iteration usually comes with a small boost to battery life. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to be no different, according to a report published by MacRumors, with a battery that could, for the first time, last longer than 30 hours. While it was initially reported that the phone would only be getting a 5% larger cell compared with the 29-hour battery in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, there might be other efficiencies (likely built into the A18 processor) at work. iPhone 17 Rumors Already? The iPhone 16 is going to be the brightest, shiniest thing Apple has to offer this season, but lots of people are already eyeing the iPhone 17. Rumors on the next-next-gen smartphone point to 12GB of memory compared with the iPhone 16's expected 8GB and AI that's far more advanced and better integrated than what you'll see on stage on Sept. 9. And for those who hate how heavy phones have become, there are rumors of an iPhone 17 Air. The iPhone 17 is also going to look a little different, according to MacRumors. That could include an absence of a front camera cutout in favor of a small, circular cutout for under-display Face ID technology for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models. There's also the possibility of even larger display sizes and the 120Hz ProMotion screen might appear on all the phones in the iPhone 17 lineup. PCMag will be in Cupertino on Sept. 9 for the Glowtime event, so stay tuned for all the news.