Credit: Apple

• The "It's Glowtime" event is scheduled for September 9 at 10 a.m. PT at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park. You can watch it live on Apple's Event page, the Apple TV app, or their YouTube channel.
• The iPhone 16 will introduce a new vertical camera system and the A18 chip, boosting AI capabilities, battery life, and a more user-friendly battery replacement process. It will also feature improved connectivity 5G modem.
• Expect to see the Apple Watch Series 10 (or possibly X) and Ultra 3, which will have larger displays and more health features. AirPods Gen 4 are likely to offer better sound quality and health functions. As someone expects, the iPhone SE will not be featured at this event.

Every fall, tech enthusiasts eagerly await the annual Apple presentation where the new iPhone is revealed. While the excitement of these autumn events—and any presentations, for that matter—has diminished over the years, they are still highly anticipated. With less than a week until the next Apple event titled "It's Glowtime," focused on the iPhone 16 launch, Apple ecosystem fans worldwide can watch it online. We’re also reviewing all iPhone and related leaks to determine if they will be confirmed, making it a good time to look at what to expect from Apple soon. I should mention that there are rumors the 2024 events won’t stop there. Later this fall, we can expect another presentation focused on the new Macs featuring M4 chips. More details on that later.

So we know that "It's Glowtime" will take place online on September 9 at 10 a.m. PT (noon CDT). The event will take place at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park and will be the first time Apple releases a new iPhone model on a Monday.

Fans excited to see the iPhone 16 lineup presentation can watch the event live on the Apple Event page, in the Apple TV app, or on Apple’s YouTube channel, where a live stream is already set up. To make sure you don’t miss it, you can enable notifications for Apple’s YouTube channel.

This year's presentation is expected to feature not only the iPhone but also the new AirPods 4 and the anniversary Smart Watch.

Apple is set to make significant strides in its AirPods lineup with the anticipated release of the fourth generation of AirPods during the iPhone 16 launch event. These updates mark a notable shift from the previous year, where only the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C was introduced. According to rumors this year, Apple plans to unveil two versions of AirPods 4, effectively replacing the AirPods 2 and 3 models. The new designs will incorporate elements from both the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, featuring shorter stems and an improved fit, though they will not have interchangeable tips. The higher-end model will include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), while the budget version will not. Both models will feature a new USB-C charging case, with the premium version offering built-in speakers for enhanced Find My integration.

Credits: MacRumors

Central to these enhancements is the integration of the H2 chip, which is expected to deliver a superior acoustic experience with richer bass and clearer sound. This chip also supports personalized spatial sound, faster device pairing, and extends battery life, complemented by Bluetooth 5.3 for improved connectivity. Users can anticipate up to six and a half hours of playback time, a significant boost from prior models. The U1 chip will further enhance the Find My feature by enabling precise tracking with directional prompts and distance estimation, while a speaker in the charging case will make it easier to locate lost AirPods.

Credits: MacRumors

In addition to these advancements, Apple is planning a software update that will introduce over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid capabilities, allowing AirPods to function as an alternative to traditional hearing aids. This feature will enable hearing tests via AirPods, alerting users to potential hearing issues. The inclusion of these health-focused functionalities underscores Apple’s commitment to expanding the utility of their devices beyond traditional audio experiences, aligning with their broader ecosystem enhancement strategy.

As we know about Apple Watch, the anticipation for the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 continues to build, fueled by current leaks. We already had the oldest rumors about the Apple Watch 10 when we heard from an analyst that it would be called Apple Watch X to celebrate a decade since the first Apple Watch, these new models are expected to showcase larger displays, measuring 1.89 and 2.04 inches, corresponding to the sizes of 45mm and 49mm. This increase in display size is likely due to thinner bezels, while the iconic square design with rounded edges remains unchanged. The shift to potentially thinner profiles might also lead to a lack of compatibility with existing watch bands, suggesting a move towards new magnetic bands. Another insider, Majin Bu, claims that the frames will be even smaller in their post on X (formerly Twitter).

The technological advances don't stop there. The watches are set to feature the new S10 chip, promising enhancements in speed and Neural Engine capabilities, although specific details on performance improvements remain under wraps. Health monitoring features are a key focus, with developments in blood glucose monitoring, blood pressure tracking, and sleep apnea detection underway. These features, however, might not be ready until after 2025. Accompanying the hardware updates is the new watchOS 11, which will offer enhanced functionalities like updated watch faces, improved notifications, new workout types, a Translate app, and a Vitals app for health metrics, launching alongside the new watch models.

Credits: Apple

Despite initial plans for microLED displays, these upgrades have been postponed due to cost concerns. Nevertheless, Apple is poised to elevate the user experience through a combination of hardware and software innovations, solidifying its leadership in wearable technology.

Looking at the reluctance to adopt pricier screens and Apple's pricing strategy for earlier smartwatch models, it seems that Apple Watch prices in the US are likely to stay stable. We'll review this again after "It's Glowtime."

The most important thing we’re looking forward to next Monday is the presentation of the new iPhone lineup, and the number of rumors surrounding it is simply incredible. As rumors swirl, the iPhone 16 series is set to introduce a range of changes and innovations.

Design and Display

Apple has been experimenting with design variations for the iPhone 16's basic models, ultimately settling on a vertical camera system with a pill-shaped bump. This marks a departure from previous square-bump designs seen in diagonal lens models. The redesign aims to reduce the camera’s protrusion, with the microphone nestled beside the lenses and the camera flash repositioned on the back panel. Additionally, the mute switch will be replaced by an action button, following the design of iPhone 15 Pro models, with volume buttons located below it.

The display sizes for the iPhone 16 lineup are as follows:

• iPhone 16: 6.1 inches
• iPhone 16 Plus: 6.7 inches
• iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 inches
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9 inches

Credits: MacRumors

Color Options

The iPhone 16's color options have been the subject of much speculation. Initially, there were hints of seven colors, including blue, pink, yellow, green, black, white, and purple. However, recent insights from Ming-Chi Kuo suggest a reduced palette of five colors, excluding purple and yellow. Meanwhile, the Pro models are rumored to feature a new "Desert Titanium" color, replacing the previous Blue Titanium.

Camera

The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to showcase a 48 MP ultra-wide camera, enhancing low-light photography with a new main lens configuration that merges four pixels into one. The Pro Max may also feature a hybrid lens comprising eight components for improved wide-angle and telephoto performance. A 5x telephoto lens could debut in the Pro models, with standard variants reflecting the iPhone 12’s vertical camera placement to facilitate spatial video recording.

The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models are anticipated to introduce the A18 Pro chip, bringing with it enhanced processing power and AI capabilities, thanks to a larger physical footprint that supports more on-device AI functions. Basic models might receive a simplified version of the A17 Pro chip, branded as A18, continuing Apple's tradition of offering tiered performance across its lineup.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery capacities for the iPhone 16 series are expected to be similar to the iPhone 15, with some models seeing a 5% increase, except for the iPhone 16 Plus, which may have a slightly reduced capacity. Charging advancements could allow Pro models to support up to 40W wired and 20W MagSafe wireless charging. The new battery designs, aligned with EU regulations, promise easier replacements.

Credits: MacRumors

Connectivity and Additional Updates

The iPhone 16 series is set to incorporate the Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 5G modem, enhancing connectivity through better speed, coverage, and location accuracy. Pro models will likely adopt Wi-Fi 7, while basic variants may retain Wi-Fi 6E. Additionally, all models will continue with USB-C ports, maintaining the transition from Lightning ports. Thinner MagSafe magnets are expected, optimizing compatibility with MagSafe accessories.

As always, Apple's upcoming event is set to highlight several innovations, including the iPhone 16 lineup with the new chip and other updates. The Apple Watch 10 or X will celebrate ten years with advanced health monitoring features. Meanwhile, AirPods Gen 4 are expected to offer better sound quality and enhanced case functionality. It's important to note that the iPhone SE won't be announced this year, as the focus is on premium models; it's likely to be featured in the spring presentation instead. So, we just need to wait a few days to see if all these speculations come true.