Subj : Apple's iPhone 16 launch event 5 things we expect and 3 things w To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Aug 27 2024 13:45:05 Apple's iPhone 16 launch event 5 things we expect and 3 things we don't Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:37:02 +0000 Description: We detail five things we expect to see at Apple's upcoming September event, and three things we don't. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Its official: Apples annual September launch event is set for Monday, September 9 . The tech giant confirmed the date via email invitations bearing the tagline "It's Glowtime (weve got ours), which suggests Apple Intelligence will take center stage at the Cupertino-set showcase next month. But what else do we expect to see unveiled at this years Apple event ? The iPhone 16 series is a shoo-in, while updates to Apples AirPods and Watch lines look likely, too. Were also anticipating a host of announcements related to iOS 18 , iPadOS 18 , watchOS 11 , macOS Sequoia , and tvOS 18 . Below, weve detailed five things we expect to see announced at the upcoming Apple event, as well as three things we almost definitely wont see. What to expect iPhone 16 series The iPhone 15 Plus (left) and iPhone 15 (right) (Image credit: Future / Apple) Apples September events almost always play host to the launch of a new iPhone line, and were expecting as much from this years showcase. Four iPhone 16 models are slated for release next month specifically the iPhone 16 , iPhone 16 Plus , iPhone 16 Pro , and iPhone 16 Pro Max with minor (rather than game-changing) upgrades tipped for all. The standard iPhone 16 models are rumored to inherit the Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max , while a so-called Capture button will reportedly come to every model in the lineup . Expect the usual cocktail of Apple chipset upgrades, too, as well as new iPhone 16 colors . Apple Intelligence A selection of things Apple Intelligence can do (Image credit: Apple) As mentioned, the headline announcement of Apples September event will almost certainly be Apple Intelligence . The upcoming suite of AI-powered features was revealed at WWDC 2024 back in June, but were expecting to see it showcased on the iPhone 16 series and other compatible devices next month. You'll find a full list of confirmed Apple Intelligence features in our dedicated Apple Intelligence hub, but so far we know that the toolset will include a smarter Siri, text summarization, writing assistance, and generative image creation. Incidentally, Apples "It's Glowtime tagline is likely a reference to the new glow animation that'll appear when using Siri on Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhones. Annoyingly, weve heard that Apple Intelligence could be delayed until after the initial rollout of iOS 18 , with Apple reportedly keen to fine-tune its AI features before making them available to the world. But even if thats the case, well surely be given a concrete release date for Apple Intelligence at next months Apple event. iOS 18 and other software updates Apple's official iOS 18 feature list (Image credit: Apple) Apple Intelligence will form part of iOS 18 , but there are plenty of AI-free upgrades to get excited about in Apples next major (and sure-to-be-released-in-September) software update, which should please existing iPhone owners. We know, for instance, that significant upgrades are coming to core iPhone apps including Messages, Mail, Photos, Maps, and Wallet, and that any iPhone newer than the iPhone XS will be compatible with iOS 18 (in other words, any iPhone with the A12 Bionic chipset or newer). For a more detailed rundown of the incoming features, check out our roundup of the five of the best iOS 18 features that'll work with your older iPhone . Were also expecting Apples September event to play host to iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, macOS Sequoia, and tvOS 18-related announcements. New Apple Watches The Apple Watch Series 9 (Image credit: Future / Britta O'Boyle) Alongside the iPhone 16 series, we could see new Apple Watches announced next month. The Apple Watch 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 seem the most likely candidates, with the former model tipped to come in two sizes (1.89 inches and 2.04 inches). Other rumored Apple Watch upgrades include new processors for both models and a larger display for the Watch 10. Interestingly, a plastic Apple Watch SE has also been tipped, which could offer prospective Apple Watch buyers a cheaper route into the watchOS ecosystem. New AirPods The Apple AirPods 3 (Image credit: Future) Lastly, theres a high chance that new AirPods could drop next month. Were not talking about the AirPods Pro 3 , since Apples Pro-level earbuds have so far adhered to a three-year release cycle, (and we've seen nothing concrete on the hotly anticipated AirPods Max 2 's arrival either, although that'd be excellent). No, rumors instead suggest the imminent reveal of new entry-level and mid-range AirPods models . As for what upgrades these new AirPods will bring, its safe to expect a more comfortable design and smarter listening modes, while Bloombergs Mark Gurman has also noted that noise cancellation powers could come to the mid-range model. What not to expect iPhone Air An unofficial render of the rumored iPhone Air (Image credit: Front Page Tech) The iPhone 16 rumor mill has been rife with talk around a potential iPhone Slim, or iPhone Air, but this super-thin iPhone model will now reportedly arrive in 2025 . Bloombergs ever-reliable Apple tipster Mark Gurman notes that this reportedly in-development iPhone will have a much thinner chassis than any existing iPhone, while retaining most of the base-level iPhone 17s core specs. In terms of price, the iPhone Air looks set to sit somewhere between the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro (akin to how the original MacBook Air was positioned between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro ), so those disappointed by the iPhone 16 line may have an entirely new iPhone model to look forward to next year, at least. New iPads The iPad Pro (2024) launched in May this year (Image credit: Apple) New iPads will almost certainly be another no-show at this years September Apple event. Apple already debuted the long-awaited iPad Air 6 and iPad Pro (2024) at its May 7 Apple event , and we havent heard all that much about a successor to the iPad 10.9 (2022) , so its reveal alongside the iPhone 16 line seems unlikely. We could, however, potentially see the iPad mini 7 unveiled next month as of August 2024, Apple has allowed iPad mini stock to run low , which is usually a sign that a new model is on the way but Apple has also been known to quietly reveal new iPads via a press release, so were not all that confident about seeing a successor to the iPad mini (2021) in Cupertino. Heres hoping were wrong, though. New MacBooks The M3 MacBook Pro (Image credit: Future) M4-equipped MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac models are reportedly on track for a 2024 release , but theyre likely to come in October rather than September. Reliable leaker Ross Young and Bloomberg tipster Mark Gurman believe that the MacBook Pro 2024 et al. are set to arrive later this year, and an October launch would align with the release dates we saw for Apples most recent MacBook models in 2023. Of course, Apple may be bold and announce the whole shebang in September iPhones, iPads, MacBooks; the lot but were quietly confident that the upcoming showcase will be dedicated to those aforementioned hardware and software launches. You might also like Apple WWDC 2024 13 things we learned including what Apple Intelligence is and why a Calculator app can be exciting Apple's Siri assistant just got a massive AI upgrade with free ChatGPT here's what's new 'It is very early innings here,' says Apple's Craig Federighi on the Apple Intelligence generative AI journey ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/apples-iphone-16-launch-event-5-things -we-expect-and-3-things-we-dont --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .