Apple's iPhone 16 event is coming. Here's what to expect
Each year, usually in the second week of September, Apple unveils its forthcoming iPhone model and other updates to its gadgets (or brand new ones) that it will begin rolling out in the fall.
The event will be held on Sept. 9 at the Steve Jobs Theater in the company’s Apple Park, California headquarters, the company revealed Monday, with the tagline, “It’s Glowtime.” This year, Apple will give us the first official look at its iPhone 16, new models of its watches, and, potentially, the latest AirPods.
Click through to see what we can expect from Apple’s latest slate of phones and wearable tech, including what’s new — and what isn’t.
iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 series will be the heart of this year’s event, with four new models on the way: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. But don’t expect anything wildly different from what Apple has already put out.
The Pro and Pro Max models could include a new “Desert Titanium” shade, which has a bronze-toned matte appearance in unverified leaked photos shared to social media, replacing the dark blue of past iPhone Pro’s.
Other rumored features include:
- A 6.3 inch display for the Pro, and;
- 6.9 inch display for the Pro Max.
- Longer battery life
- Tetra-prism telephoto camera.
- A18 Pro processor.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to have about the same screen sizes and designs as prior models, but will have a A18 Bionic chipset.
And all models will, of course, come loaded with iOS 18. Apple’s latest operating software allows users to customize their home screen even further and features enhanced AI capabilities, known as Apple Intelligence.
Apple Watch Series 10
Next up is the latest series of watches. The classic Apple Watch turns 10 this year, but isn’t expected to look much different, according to Bloomberg. The Series 10 will likely be thinner and have a larger display, but that’s about it.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
It’s much of the same for Apple’s more rugged Apple Watch Ultra, which is entering its third iteration this year.
The Ultra 3 is expected to have “almost no” new hardware upgrades compared to the Ultra 2, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said last October. Bloomberg has reported, however, that it could have a new, faster processor.
That’s a major slowdown from the upgrades debuted in the Ultra 2, which saw a 50% brighter display; the introduction of the “Double Tap” gesture to allow users to use the watch without touching the screen; Siri; increased internal storage; and a faster S9 chip, MacRumors summarized.
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple’s third-generation Apple Watch SE, however, could include several major changes, according to MacRumors. These include a larger display and a body made of rigid plastic rather than aluminum, making it more durable and cost effective.
AirPods 4
It’s still up in the air whether Apple will unveil its latest generation of AirPods in September or October.
While its release date is uncertain, the AirPods 4 are expected to have the H2 chip, which was not used in second- and third-generation AirPods, MacRumors said. This chip improves Bluetooth connectivity, gives the headphones have a longer battery life, and will provide listeners an enhanced sound experience.
AirPods Max 2
Finally, Apple could release its second-gen AirPods Max in September (although, like the AirPods 4, this could also come in October).
The biggest change here, according to MacRumors, is the replacement of the Lightning port with the USB-C port — a move it has already made on its latest iPhones, iPads, and AirPods to appease European regulators.