Apple recently sent out invites for its upcoming event scheduled for 10 AM Pacific Time on September 9 next month. It will be streamed on their YouTube page which is already live. Apple is expected to launch the usual slew of products like iPhone 16 and SE 4, two new AirPods, and Watch X, Ultra 3, and SE 3. However, there are rumors of an iPad Mini doing the rounds too. There is a lot to unpack here so let’s get cracking. Here’s everything you must know about the upcoming Apple event.
Note: I will update this page instead of writing a new article for every small leak so you don’t have to hop between pages.
Table of Contents
Apple Intelligence
Judging by the logo in the invite sent by Apple, the event is going to be all about Siri and AI. A trend that we noticed in Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel events too. Big Tech is obsessed with AI.
Some new AI features Apple has announced:
- ChatGPT integration
- Writing Tools to rewrite, summarize, and proofread
- Siri will see a significant bump in its capabilities
- Generative AI for images, emojis, and genmojis
- Priority notifications
And much more.
iPhone 16 Series – Powered by AI
The Action Button will be standard on all iPhone 16 models. A faster A18 chip series, camera improvements, and yes, vertical camera lenses like in iPhone 12 series will be making a comeback. Plus, there will be a new Capture button for shutterbugs.
Here is what we are expecting to see in iPhone 16 series in the upcoming Apple event:
- Display size will be bumped to 6.3″ for Pro and 6.9″ for Pro Max models.
- iPhone 16 (6.1″) and 16 Plus (6.7″) will be the same size as their predecessors
- Action Button for all models instead of just Pro models like in iPhone 15 series and it will replace the iconic mute switch on them too.
- A new capture button is to be added to the right side for camera features but may be limited to pro models.
- Capture button will be touch-sensitive executing different actions based on how hard you press it, swipe on it, or multi-press it.
- The Face ID is being overhauled but details are scarce about specific changes
- Wi-Fi 7 may arrive
- A18 Pro series chips based on N3E 3-nanometer node on the Pro models while base models will be fitted with A18.
- Vertical pill-shaped camera setup is making a comeback that should help with spatial video for Vision Pro models.
- 40w wired and 20w wireless charging may come thanks to stacked battery tech which should also increase life span of the battery itself.
- To satisfy the EU requirements, Apple may allow battery replacement in the iPhone 16 series though they have time until 2025.
- 120hz ProMotion display may become a standard across all models.
- 48mp ultrawide lens coupled with 5x optical zoom should bump the camera prowess of the iPhone Pro models
The iPhone 16 Plus may be the last Plus model Apple releases before deprecating it in favor a new Ultra model. The latter will represent the best of Apple jam-packed with features and hardware upgrades. Details remain scarce around this though.
iPhone SE 4 – New Value King?
It’s time for iPhone SE 4, folks. The SE series has followed a 2 year release cycle so far but there are rumors that Apple might delay the launch to 2025. Priced under $500, SE 4 might mimic iPhone XR design with a hint of iPhone 14 which means no dynamic island. Just the notch. I hope it is closer to iPhone 14 than XR.
Here are some renders from 91Mobiles:
Here are some key specs:
- 6.1″ display
- Borrow OLED display from iPhone 13 which would be a first in SE series
- Camera may be bumped from 12mp to 48mp (compete with Pixel 7a as the best midrange camera smartphone)
- No 120Hz refresh rate sadly
- A bump in battery capacity from 2018mAh in the iPhone SE 3 to 3279mAh
- USBC port thanks to EU regulation
- Face ID may debut for biometric authentication since the home button might see a departure
- Chipset is a question mark. iPhone SE 3 came with A15 but Apple will have to bump that up to A16 or A17 to improve raw performance and processing power.
iPad Mini – Refreshed
This is a very recent development. The last iPad Mini was launched in 2021. iPad Pro and Air have already been released and we might see an iPad Mini too if we are lucky. Here is what we are expecting:
- Same 8.3″ display as last gen
- Apple is reportedly working to fix jelly scrolling (lag while vertical scrolling) by rotating the screen assembly
- Mini may get the A17 series chip (regular or even Pro but at a higher price point) that would separate it from Pro and Air models that have M series.
- Front camera may be moved to landscape screen corner just like on Air.
- I expect HDR support with a wider aperture but will see what Apple has in mind.
- Wi-Fi 6E, USBC, and Bluetooth 5.3 should be standard now.
- Should come with Pencil Pro instead of Pencil 2 in the current model.
Apple Watch Series X/10 – Bigger and Better than Before
Apple released iPhone X on the 10th anniversary of iPhone. Will they release Watch X on its 10 anniversary? Probably, yes. The trend to offer the thinnest devices continues which means we can expect the Apple Watch X to be thinner than Series 9 allowing for a bigger screen.
I am not a fan of big smartwatches but it seems Apple has other plans. Like Watch Ultra (more on that later), Series X will come in 45mm and 49mm instead of the usual 41mm and 45mm as per Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. 91Mobiles shared some CAD renders of the X series a few months ago. Doesn’t paint the whole picture but here it is.
Rumors are doing rounds that Apple Watch X may have a way to attach a magnetic band directly but the renders do not show any such system. If true, these bands won’t work with older Watch models but should make swapping them so much easier and faster.
Some new health sensors may or may not be ready in time for the launch this year like blood pressure monitoring which will also detect hypertension and sleep apnea which requires blood oxygen sensors. However, it seems that patent issues have forced Apple to remove the blood oxygen sensors in the USA until 2028.
Apple Watch SE 3 – Show or No Show
There is a strong possibility that Apple may release the Watch SE 3 this year along with the Watch X/10 series. The details are scarce though and few leaks to go on about. How do we know?
Apple Watch SE series follows a two-year cycle. The first Watch SE was released in 2020 while the second was released in 2022. That means SE 3 is due for a launch in 2024 so fingers crossed.
SE series are known for its value-for-money proposition. Keeping that in mind, Apple may use a plastic back instead of aluminum as in the case of the previous two models. That would also allow Apple to offer it in different colors appealing to kids and young adults who depend on their parents for Apple goodies.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 – Features or Design
Samsung has already copied whatever it could from the current gen 2 of Watch Ultra. Does that mean Apple will refresh the design to stand out or simply add new features to upgrade the user experience?
Well, there aren’t many features coming to the Ultra this year. There were plans to install a microLED but Apple canceled that project in favor of a low-energy OLED panel to reduce energy usage and offer AoD (Always on Display).
Watch Ultra is set to get bigger with a 49mm option. I am not sure who the intended audience is seeing Watch Ultra is already too big for most people.
Health is a big part of the wearable tech. Apple is working on integrating blood pressure monitor and sleep apnea detection in Watch Ultra, however, it is unclear whether that would be hardware or software based on machine learning.
AirPods 4 – Interesting New Features
Popular Bloomberg Apple analyst Gurman says that the Cupertino giant may release two new AirPods this year replacing the current 2nd and 3rd generations in one go. Unlikely to me but cool. Now that Apple has adopted (forced to adopt) USBC charging, they should appear on the new AirPods model too. Of course, it is a new model so expect improvements in sound, fit, size, and maybe some new accessories. ANC is usually reserved for more expensive Pro models but that could change this year.
A new hearing aid feature may debut making lives so much easier for people who are hard of hearing. Other features may include conversation boost and live listening.
Finally, it seems Apple has not forgotten the AirPods Max after all. However, they don’t have big plans for it either. Apple may release a new variant with a USBC port instead of the lightning port. That’s how Apple milks its users. They did something similar with AirPods Pro 2. It would be nice if Max was available in a few new colors at least.
What Apple Goodies Do You Want to Buy
Are you planning to replace that old and dusty iPhone and Watch? Plenty of new Apple products are going to hit the stores in holiday season while last year’s models will see a clearance sale. I am looking to replace my small iPhone 12 mini with 15 Pro but waiting for iPhone 16 to reveal its true colors.
What are you planning to buy? Let us know on X (Twitter).
