It’s official: Apple’s annual September launch occasion is about for Monday, September 9. The tech big confirmed the date by way of e mail invites bearing the tagline “It’s Glowtime” (we’ve bought ours), which suggests Apple Intelligence will take middle stage on the Cupertino-set showcase subsequent month.
But what else can we count on to see unveiled at this 12 months’s Apple occasion? The iPhone 16 sequence is a shoo-in, whereas updates to Apple’s AirPods and Watch strains look seemingly, too. We’re additionally anticipating a number of bulletins associated to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, macOS Sequoia, and tvOS 18.
Below, we’ve detailed 5 issues we count on to see introduced on the upcoming Apple occasion, in addition to three issues we nearly undoubtedly gained’t see.
What to count on
iPhone 16 sequence
Apple’s September occasions nearly at all times play host to the launch of a brand new iPhone line, and we’re anticipating as a lot from this 12 months’s showcase. Four iPhone 16 fashions are slated for launch subsequent month – particularly the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – with minor (somewhat than game-changing) upgrades tipped for all.
The normal iPhone 16 fashions are rumored to inherit the Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, whereas a so-called ‘Capture’ button will reportedly come to each mannequin within the lineup. Expect the standard cocktail of Apple chipset upgrades, too, in addition to new iPhone 16 colours.
Apple Intelligence
As talked about, the headline announcement of Apple’s September occasion will nearly actually be Apple Intelligence. The upcoming suite of AI-powered options was revealed at WWDC 2024 again in June, however we’re anticipating to see it showcased on the iPhone 16 sequence and different appropriate units subsequent month.
You’ll discover a full listing of confirmed Apple Intelligence options in our devoted Apple Intelligence hub, however up to now we all know that the toolset will embrace a wiser Siri, textual content summarization, writing help, and generative picture creation. Incidentally, Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” tagline is probably going a reference to the brand new ‘glow’ animation that’ll seem when utilizing Siri on Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhones.
Annoyingly, we’ve heard that Apple Intelligence may very well be delayed till after the preliminary rollout of iOS 18, with Apple reportedly eager to fine-tune its AI options earlier than making them out there to the world. But even when that’s the case, we’ll certainly be given a concrete launch date for Apple Intelligence at subsequent month’s Apple occasion.
iOS 18 and different software program updates
Apple Intelligence will type a part of iOS 18, however there are many AI-free upgrades to get enthusiastic about in Apple’s subsequent main (and sure-to-be-released-in-September) software program replace, which ought to please present iPhone house owners.
We know, for example, that vital upgrades are coming to core iPhone apps together with Messages, Mail, Photos, Maps, and Wallet, and that any iPhone newer than the iPhone XS will likely be appropriate with iOS 18 (in different phrases, any iPhone with the A12 Bionic chipset or newer). For a extra detailed rundown of the incoming options, try our roundup of the 5 of the perfect iOS 18 options that’ll work together with your older iPhone.
We’re additionally anticipating Apple’s September occasion to play host to iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, macOS Sequoia, and tvOS 18-related bulletins.
New Apple Watches
Alongside the iPhone 16 sequence, we may see new Apple Watches introduced subsequent month. The Apple Watch 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 appear the most definitely candidates, with the previous mannequin tipped to return in two sizes (1.89 inches and a couple of.04 inches).
Other rumored Apple Watch upgrades embrace new processors for each fashions and a bigger show for the Watch 10. Interestingly, a plastic Apple Watch SE has additionally been tipped, which may provide potential Apple Watch patrons a less expensive route into the watchOS ecosystem.
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New AirPods
Lastly, there’s a excessive likelihood that new AirPods may drop subsequent month. We’re not speaking concerning the AirPods Pro 3, since Apple’s Pro-level earbuds have up to now adhered to a three-year launch cycle, and we have seen nothing concrete on the hotly anticipated AirPods Max 2’s arrival, both. No, rumors as an alternative recommend the approaching reveal of latest entry-level and mid-range AirPods fashions.
As for what upgrades these new AirPods will convey, it’s secure to count on a extra comfy design and smarter listening modes, whereas Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has additionally famous that noise cancellation powers may come to the mid-range mannequin.
What to not count on
iPhone Air
The iPhone 16 rumor mill has been rife with speak round a possible iPhone Slim, or iPhone Air, however this super-thin iPhone mannequin will now reportedly arrive in 2025.
Bloomberg’s ever-reliable Apple tipster Mark Gurman notes that this reportedly in-development iPhone may have a a lot thinner chassis than any present iPhone, whereas retaining a lot of the base-level iPhone 17’s core specs.
In phrases of worth, the iPhone Air seems set to take a seat someplace between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro (akin to how the unique MacE book Air was positioned between the MacE book and the MacE book Pro), so these disillusioned by the iPhone 16 line could have a completely new iPhone mannequin to stay up for subsequent 12 months, at the least.
New iPads
New iPads will nearly actually be one other no-show at this 12 months’s September Apple occasion. Apple already debuted the long-awaited iPad Air 6 and iPad Pro (2024) at its May 7 Apple occasion, and we haven’t heard all that a lot a few successor to the iPad 10.9 (2022), so its reveal alongside the iPhone 16 line appears unlikely.
We may, nonetheless, doubtlessly see the iPad mini 7 unveiled subsequent month – as of August 2024, Apple has allowed iPad mini inventory to run low, which is normally an indication {that a} new mannequin is on the best way – however Apple has additionally been recognized to quietly reveal new iPads by way of a press launch, so we’re not all that assured about seeing a successor to the iPad mini (2021) in Cupertino. Here’s hoping we’re incorrect, although.
New MacBooks
M4-equipped MacE book Pro, Mac mini, and that iMac fashions are reportedly on monitor for a 2024 launch, however they’re more likely to are available October somewhat than September.
Reliable leaker Ross Young and Bloomberg tipster Mark Gurman imagine that the MacE book Pro 2024 et al. are set to reach ‘later’ this 12 months, and an October launch would align with the discharge dates we noticed for Apple’s most up-to-date MacE book fashions in 2023.
Of course, Apple could also be daring and announce the entire shebang in September – iPhones, iPads, MacBooks; the lot – however we’re quietly assured that the upcoming showcase will likely be devoted to these aforementioned {hardware} and software program launches.
