Apple (AAPL) will host its annual iPhone event at its Cupertino, California, headquarters on Monday, September 9. The company is expected to launch four new iPhones, as well as the 10th anniversary edition of the Apple Watch and new AirPods.
In addition to hardware, the presentation will focus primarily on the rollout of Apple’s AI platform for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The company’s fall event is arguably one of the biggest of the year and helps set the tone for Apple’s year ahead. I’ll be on hand in Cupertino to bring you all the latest news.
Here’s what you need Expect Apple’s ‘Glowtime’ Show.
Apple Information
Apple Intelligence will bring a host of new features to Apple’s product lines, including summarizing long text message threads, prioritizing and summarizing emails, and a much-needed upgrade to Apple’s Siri voice assistant.
According to Mark Gurman of BloombergApple will launch Apple Intelligence as part of a software update in October, rather than alongside the company’s latest iPhones, to give developers more time to test and build apps for the platform. Other Apple Intelligence features may not arrive on users’ iPhones until early 2025.
The hope of the Glowtime event is that Apple will provide an update on when the software will be available and explore all the additional features it has to offer.
Apple Intelligence could be one of the most important launches for Apple in years. The software will only work on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, giving investors hope that it will spur a new cycle of iPhone sales. And with people holding on to their phones longer, Wall Street will welcome any way to entice users to upgrade sooner rather than later.
The iPhone 16 range
Apple’s next-generation iPhone, likely called the iPhone 16, is said to get relatively modest hardware upgrades. If Apple follows the same strategy as with previous releases, the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will get the A17 Pro chip found in last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max phones, while the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will get new, more powerful processors.
It is also possible that Apple will integrate new chips into all four of its iPhone models. According to a report from MacRumorsCiting analyst Jeff Pu of Haitong International Securities, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will receive an upgraded A18 processor, while the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will receive the company’s A18 Pro.
MacRumors The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro will also feature new capacitive “Capture” buttons that can be used as physical camera buttons to, well, take photos. The button will be located on the right side of the phones, below the volume buttons. Non-Pro iPhone 16 models will also get the programmable Action button, previously only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will also get larger screens, going from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches for the Pro and from 6.7 to 6.9 inches for the Pro Max without increasing the size of the phones thanks to thinner bezels, reported Gurman.
The new iPhones are also expected to bring camera improvements, including improved optical zoom capabilities on the iPhone 16 Pro.
But don’t expect much more from the iPhone 16 lineup. Apple is more focused on the success of Apple Intelligence than on major changes to the iPhone’s hardware. Next year’s models could, however, benefit from a much thinner design, creating something akin to an iPhone Air, according to Gurman.
Apple Watch 10th Anniversary
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the first Apple Watch, and According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International SecuritiesApple will mark the occasion by giving the watch a new look.
The 41mm version of the Apple Watch will reportedly feature a new 45mm display, while the existing 45mm option will get a larger 49mm display. According to Gurman, Apple was looking to add blood pressure and sleep apnea detection features to the new watches, but won’t be able to do so this year due to a combination of technical issues and Apple’s ongoing legal battle over its blood oxygen sensor.
Apple will also launch an updated version of the Apple Watch Ultra, though it will remain largely the same aside from a new chip.
Finally, be on the lookout for upgraded versions of Apple’s entry-level and mid-range AirPods, Gurman reportedThe earbuds will get updated designs and features, including active noise cancellation for the mid-range version, while costing the same as the current models: $129 for the base versions and $169 for the mid-range versions. Don’t expect interchangeable silicone ear tips like those found on the AirPods Pro, though. Those will continue to be exclusive to the company’s more expensive models.
Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.
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