Apple’s iPhone 16 Event: What to Expect

The biggest day of the tech world’s autumn calendar is nearly here: Apple’s iPhone 16 event will take place on September 9 at 1PM ET. We’ll be live-blogging the news, and you can watch it live via the company’s website or on YouTube.

New iPhone 16 Lineup

The biggest news from the Apple event will almost definitely involve the forthcoming lineup of iPhone 16 handsets. There’s likely to be four new models announced: the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. This follows the naming convention of last year’s iPhone 15 reveal.

Screen Sizes and Colors

The Pro models might feature slightly larger screens: the regular Pro could move to 6.3 inches from 6.1 inches, while the Pro Max may hit 6.9 inches, up from 6.7 inches. Expect a new color or two, possibly ditching the blue model for the return of rose gold.

Hardware Upgrades

A new chipset, the A18, is expected to take advantage of Apple’s recent push toward AI. The Pro and Pro Max will likely get a more powerful chip than the standard models. The base amount of RAM is anticipated to be 8GB to handle AI tasks.

New Features

The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus may get the Action Button, introduced last year for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. This multi-purpose button can control various functions like changing ringer settings and launching the camera. There’s also talk of a new camera button on the right side of the phone, exclusive to the Pro and Pro Max models, which will operate like a button on a DSLR.

Apple Watch Updates

Ever since 2016, iPhone events have also included a deep dive on the latest Apple Watch. This year, the Apple Watch may see a significant update for its tenth birthday, potentially named Series 10 or Series X. It’s expected to feature a bigger screen, ditching the 41mm form factor for a 49mm design.

New Band System

Rumors suggest a complete redesign of the band system with new connectors, which could make old bands incompatible. A new chip designed to accommodate AI might also be introduced, although AI integration will likely happen later.

Health Tracking Tools

Apple has been working on new sensors for health monitoring, including high blood pressure and sleep apnea detection. However, these features might not be ready for this year’s smartwatch.

Budget-Friendly Watch SE

It’s highly possible that Apple announces a new version of the budget-friendly Watch SE, potentially featuring a rigid plastic shell to reduce costs.

AirPods and Other Announcements

Apple is prepping two new variants of its standard earbuds, the AirPods 4, likely transitioning to a USB-C case. The cheaper model may lack wireless charging, while the mid-tier version will support it and potentially feature active noise cancellation.

Mac Mini and iPad Updates

There are rumors of a massive redesign of the Mac mini, possibly making it Apple’s smallest desktop computer. An iPad mini refresh is also anticipated, although it’s not common for Apple to announce iPads during its iPhone event.

Software Updates

Following the recent WWDC event, iOS 18 should be available within the week after the event, featuring a more customizable Control Center and Home Screen, along with RCS support. Apple Intelligence, however, will be delayed until iOS 18.1.

WatchOS 11 is also set to release this fall, with potential announcements of official release dates during the iPhone event.