Apple’s most important event of the year is set to take place next Monday, September 9th, with the launch of the latest iPhone 16 series and other new products. The event will kick off at 10 a.m. Pacific Time at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California. It’s unusual for Apple to hold a release event on a Monday, but with the U.S. presidential debate scheduled for the following Tuesday and the EU Commission announcing a decision on whether Apple must pay the $14 billion tax bill resulting from a long-standing agreement with Ireland, these events could potentially divert attention from Apple’s new products.
The highlight of Apple’s offerings this year will be the iPhone 16 series, along with significant updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods. Additionally, Apple will introduce a new artificial intelligence tool, Apple Intelligence, which is an enhancement of Siri’s interface. The theme of this event is “It’s Glowtime.”
The release of Apple Intelligence has been delayed several times, and many key features are expected to be rolled out next year. Monday’s updates will inject new energy into Apple’s core product lineup, which accounts for about 60% of the company’s annual revenue. These products also drive consumer spending on Apple’s service offerings, which have become an increasingly important revenue source. Apple has recently begun to recover from its longest sales slump in decades.
Bloomberg has released early information on what to expect at the Apple event on the 9th, including the unveiling of four new iPhone models: iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max.
Similar to 2023, the non-Pro versions of the iPhone will see minimal changes. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will sport a design similar to last year’s models, including 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen sizes and aluminum casing. The processors will be faster, with a total of 8GB of memory (up from 6GB).
These lower-tier phones will feature operational buttons identical to the Pro models, as well as vertically stacked rear cameras that support spatial video recording — compatible with Vision Pro headphones for viewing 3D content.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will retain the design of the iPhone 15 Pro series, but with a notable change in the display. The smaller model’s screen size will increase from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches, and the Max version will see an increase from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches, giving the phones a more stylish overall look.
Like the iPhone 15 Pro series, the 16 Pro models will support Apple Intelligence and come equipped with 8GB of memory. They will also feature faster chips and an enhanced neural engine optimized for AI, according to Apple.
The cameras on the two iPhone 16 Pro models will be upgraded, with the lens of the ultra-wide-angle camera increasing from 12 million pixels to 48 million pixels. This matches the pixel count of the standard wide-angle camera in last year’s models. The smaller iPhone 16 Pro will also gain a 5x optical zoom on the telephoto lens.
This year, Apple is introducing new color options for the iPhone models. The Pro versions will now feature gold titanium metal instead of blue titanium metal, with black, white, and natural color options still available. The non-Pro versions will replace yellow with white and introduce new green, pink, and blue tones.
Apple is preparing to launch two new models of AirPods, replacing the entry-level second-generation and mid-range third-generation models. Both new versions will resemble the design of the AirPods Pro, including new casings, USB-C charging, and improved audio quality.
A significant new feature is a focus on promoting hearing health. Apple has been working to position AirPods as an alternative to hearing aids and as devices for conducting hearing tests. The company is preparing to announce these enhanced features, which may be released at a later date.
The new version of AirPods Pro is still in development, featuring upgraded design and improved noise-cancellation functionality. It is expected to launch next year.
Apple is also developing updated versions of AirPods Max headphones, with new colors and a switch from a Lightning interface to USB-C to comply with the latest EU regulations.
After two years, the company is preparing for a simultaneous update of all Apple Watch models. This will include a new entry-level Apple Watch SE, a mid-range Series 10 model, and an Ultra 3 model.
The biggest upgrade in the Apple Watch series will be the Series 10 model. The overall design will be similar to the Series 9, but with a larger screen size, resulting in a thinner watch case.
Additionally, Apple is working to transition its entire Mac lineup to the M4 chip, starting with the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac. However, any Mac upgrades are expected to be addressed in subsequent release events.