Apple is gearing up to bring another blockbuster hardware launch with the iPhone 16 event planned for September 9th. The event is called ‘It’s Glowtime’ and it’s speculated that the company will reveal the latest in AI, camera system, and designs in the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods products. Here’s a comprehensive preview of what to expect from Apple’s big day.
The iPhone 16: Powerful Processors and Better Cameras
The highlight of the event will, of course, be the iPhone 16 series, which will likely upscale Apple’s new “Apple Intelligence” AI across all versions. It will be made possible by the new A18 chip, a major improvement from the A17 Pro currently existing in the iPhone 15 Pro versions only. According to Tech Crunch, this advanced AI integration will make iPhones capable of comprehending the screen content and help in functions such as improved Siri, diagram creation, calling, and transcription.
The iPhone 16 models’ back camera layout will be also different, shifting from the diagonal arrangement that has been used since the iPhone 13 to a vertical one similar to the iPhone X This will enhance landscape spatial video capture which will be significant for Vision Pro. Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple analyst, has also pointed out that there will be an increase in battery life in some of the iPhone 16 models.
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will have major changes, for instance more screen size of 6.3 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9 inches for iPhone 16 Pro Max, also a new rose and bronze titanium color. It is expected that both models will have similar 5x ‘tetraprism’ telephoto lenses and improved ultrawide camera with a larger 48MP sensor.
iPhone 16 might also come with a new side pressure-sensitive button for focusing with a light pressure and capturing a photo with a firm push like in DSLR.
Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 3: Bigger, Slimmer, and Smarter
The Apple Watch turns a decade old this year and with the Apple Watch Series 10, a slimmer design is expected as well as new screen sizes of up to 49mm, formerly seen in the Apple Watch Ultra only. It will also bring a new Apple Watch Ultra for super athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, with anticipated features such as sleep apnea detection and a new glucose monitor. The Series 10 will also come with a new processor most probably the S10 chip in which future AI features will be a possibility.
Also, it may unveil an Apple Watch SE with a cheaper plastic design to suit more customers’ needs and wallets.
New AirPods: Better Noise Cancelation and USB-C
Apple will position the first of the new devices as a successor to the second-generation AirPods and the second – as the updated AirPods 3. It will apparently come with a Pro-level design and come with noise-cancelling capabilities as well as a charging case that includes speakers for use with the Find My network. All AirPods, Pro, and Max, will then require USB-C ports, in line with Apple’s trend of dropping the Lightning ports.
Speculations also indicate that Apple is preparing to release a USB-C version of the over-ear AirPods Max with new color variants possibly in the works.
Mac Mini and Potential Mac Announcements
As for the major products, Apple might be presenting an iPhone 16 and potentially a new Mac Mini that is as small as an Apple TV. The new Mac Mini can be prepared for shipping this month, and it might be presented during the Glowtime event. However, Apple may potentially hold this reveal for a future, Mac-centric event instead.
Glowtime: Apple Intelligence and Siri Get a Glow Up
Apple’s Glowtime event will focus on expanding and deepening the company’s involvement in generative AI through its new “Apple Intelligence” platform, which the company previewed at WWDC in June. Apple Intelligence is intended to run on Apple devices based on the small model that has been trained using a limited amount of data to provide a better user experience, unlike OpenAI or Google-like cloud models.
Siri too gets a redesign with a new icon with the glowing circle ring at the screen perimeter when the voice assistant is activated. This “glow” is supposed to reference the event’s theme and may suggest additional AI-centric additions in the future.
How to Watch
Apple’s ‘it is glow time’ event is scheduled for September 9th at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California. Tech enthusiasts will be able to watch the event through YouTube, Apple TV, and on Apple’s official website; tech blog outlets such as Tech Crunch will also be providing a live blogging commentary of the event as it unfolds.
