Every year in the early fall, Apple holds a special event to unveil new iPhone models, Apple Watches and accessories. It’s one of the biggest tech unveiling events of the year, and many Apple fans are eager to see if they will be upgrading this year.
The much-anticipated iPhone 16 event is coming soon, now officially scheduled for an unusual Monday (instead of a Tuesday): September 9, 2024. Here’s what you can expect from the event and how to watch it.
iPhone 16 event: How to watch
You can also watch the event also from our embedded stream above when the time comes. If you don’t have time to watch but still want to catch everything, feel free to check our coverage here as we’ll be covering the entire event and everything mobile tech on it.
iPhone 16 event: What to expect
Here’s what devices you should expect for the event this year. It is shaping to be an exciting event with loads of new hardware being announced.
iPhone 16 series
Leaked dummy units of the iPhone 16 Pro models. | Image Credit – Sonny Dickson
The four iPhones will be the stars of the show. There will be four models, just like any year: a “vanilla” iPhone 16, a larger iPhone 16 Plus, and two Pro-branded models: an iPhone 16 Pro and a bigger iPhone 16 Pro Max.
We expect some notable upgrades this time around, especially for the Pro models, which are rumored to get a refined design with ultra-thin bezels, Apple Intelligence (Apple’s generative AI), and improved cameras.
Despite Apple’s best efforts to prevent leaks, we know a thing or two about the upcoming phones.
We will likely be getting a whole new button to the iPhone 16, dubbed the Capture Button (for recording videos or taking photos, most likely). The iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus will get vertical camera setups, unlike recent iPhone models that had diagonal camera arrangements.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max might get improved 48MP cameras, and possibly, the 16 Pro will get the 5X telephoto camera that was deputed with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Cameras are reportedly not going to be upgraded from last year on the base models – the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus.
We expect an upgraded 3nm chip: the A18 Bionic. The Pro models will likely be getting an A18 Pro chip.
Apple Watches
We also expect to see Apple Watch models announced during the event: the regular Apple Watch Series 10, a sequel to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and also a more affordable Apple Watch SE.
Apple Watch Series 10/Apple Watch X
The Apple Watch Series 9. | Image Source – PhoneArena
We hear that Apple may finally add blood-pressure monitoring alongside some other health-related additions, according to several Bloomberg reports. Also, we’ve heard about the possibility that the timepiece will get a new mechanism for band attachment.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch Ultra 2. | Image Source – PhoneArena
Apple’s rugged smartwatch is also expected to get a successor, likely to be called the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Its arrival during the event is a bit less certain than the Apple Watch Series 10, and we’ve had fewer leaks about the device surface online.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is expected to include a new Apple S10 chip, while the rest of its hardware will largely mirror that of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Some earlier reports pointed out that the device may be delayed, so don’t get too hyped about it.
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch SE 2. | Image Source – PhoneArena
The Apple Watch SE 2 was released back in 2022, so it feels like we may be seeing a successor this year. The Apple Watch SE 3 is the budget-friendly Apple Watch which lacks some premium features for more affordable pricing. Just like the Ultra 3, rumors here are lacking and we haven’t had a lot of leaks on it.
iOS 18 debut
iOS 18 was unveiled during Apple’s annual developer conference, the WWDC. But it has not been released to the public yet and will debut with the new iPhones. We may hear something about it, and probably something about Apple Intelligence during the event.
AirPods models
This year, we’re expecting to also see AirPods models during the event. So far, we expect to see AirPods 4, possibly a sequel to Apple’s over-the-year headphones, the AirPods Max.
AirPods 4
AirPods 3. | Image Source – PhoneArena
Rumors also indicate we may be seeing new AirPods models unveiled during the event. The entry-level AirPods 3 have been without a successor for nearly three years since their initial launch in 2021. They’re due for a successor now, and thus, we expect to see the AirPods 4 during the event. The AirPods 4 are expected to sport a redesigned look with a USB-C port instead of the Lightning port. We also expect shorter stems similar to the AirPods Pro, an improved fit, and enhanced audio quality.
AirPods Max 2
The AirPods Max. | Image Source – AirPods Max 2
Apple’s over-the-ear premium headphones, the AirPods Max, are also due for a successor. We could therefore see the AirPods Max 2 unveiled during the event. However, rumors about them point more toward an October release, so their appearance during the iPhone 16 event is less likely.
New iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands
It’s usual for Apple events to also announce some new accessories to color your day fresh. We expect new iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands to be released in a variety of interesting colors. The new cases and bands sometimes become available on Apple’s online store just minutes after the event ends.
iPhone 16 event: what not to expect
New Macs
It’s also quite important to know what we’re most likely not going to see during the event. First of all, we don’t expect to see any new Mac models, as this is an event dedicated to the iPhone and the more mobile side of Apple’s tech.
iPhone SE 4
AirPods Pro 3
Apple’s Pro-branded AirPods are also most likely not going to come say hi to use during this event. The new version of the AirPods Pro is expected to be announced again in early 2025.
