Key Points:
- Apple’s iPhone 16 event, teased with the tagline “It’s Glowtime,” is scheduled for September 9 at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino.
- iPhone 16 Upgrades expect new chipsets, minor screen size changes, camera upgrades, and a potential new capture button.
- Apple Watch Series 10 is anticipated to have a larger screen, a new band system, and a more efficient chip. New versions of AirPods 4 may debut.
- iOS 18 and other OS updates will follow shortly after the event, with Apple Intelligence features rolling out in iOS 18.1.
The tech world is focusing on Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 16 launch on September 9 at 1 PM ET. The event is expected to be the biggest tech showcase of the fall and will be held at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Apple has teased the event with the tagline “It’s Glowtime,” hinting at what’s to come. The iPhone 16 event will be streamed live on YouTube, Apple’s website, and the Apple TV app.
While this year’s iPhone 16 lineup may see modest hardware changes, Apple is expected to focus heavily on software enhancements and new AI-powered Apple Intelligence features. A new chipset is likely an upgrade across the entire lineup to ensure all models support Apple Intelligence, which runs only on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
Rumors suggest slight increases in screen sizes, and the base iPhone 16 could see a redesign of its camera array, shifting from a square to a vertical layout. Apple is also likely to improve camera capabilities across several models. A new capture button with zoom gesture controls is anticipated, potentially making it easier to take photos and videos in landscape mode. It remains unclear if this feature will be available on all models or limited to the Pro versions. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are also expected to replace the traditional mute switch with the action button introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Apple is also expected to unveil the Apple Watch Series 10 (possibly called Series X). This iteration might feature a new chip for enhanced performance or better power efficiency. The watch could debut a larger 49mm screen, replacing the current 41mm variant, and Apple may redesign the band connectors, potentially rendering existing bands incompatible.
Additionally, updated AirPods, including entry-level and mid-tier versions of AirPods 4, might be introduced, with the mid-tier version supporting wireless charging.
Apple is set to launch iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and watchOS 11 soon after the event. However, the anticipated Apple Intelligence features will likely be delayed until iOS 18.1 is released in October.