Apple’s iPhone event is just days away, during which the company is expected to debut the iPhone 16 and potentially share more details on the public launch of iOS 18 — and, crucially, Apple Intelligence, which is likely to dominate the spotlight.
The company’s event invite depicts the Apple logo with different overlapping colors, and the text “It’s Glowtime” written underneath. The design calls back to the one sent out for June’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, which introduced the world to Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of AI features. It’s likely the iPhone-maker will continue that conversation during its fall event, along with unveiling new hardware.
Watch this: Apple’s iPhone 16 Glowtime Event: What We Expect
Here’s everything we’re anticipating, and how you can tune into Apple’s keynote.
How to watch Apple’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ event
Apple’s fall keynote takes place Monday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. BST, 3 a.m. AEST). You can tune in via a livestream on Apple’s site, or on YouTube. You can also watch from the Apple TV app.
iPhone 16 could pack Apple Intelligence — and better cameras
Apple used much of its June WWDC keynote to talk about Apple Intelligence, its suite of AI features that includes capabilities like a smarter Siri, AI-powered writing tools and ChatGPT integration. The company noted that Apple Intelligence will arrive on iPhone 15 Pro models, and it’s likely the iPhone 16 lineup will be the first to come out of the box with those new AI features baked in.
The company is also expected to shine a light on iPhone hardware advancements, especially related to the cameras. Rumors suggest the iPhone 16 lineup could include larger image sensors and a new physical camera button, which would sit next to the Action button that debuted on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. It’ll reportedly recognize swipe gestures, so you could swipe right or left to zoom in or out.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also suggests the base iPhone 16 Pro will come with a 5x optical zoom lens, meaning you’d no longer have to opt for the pricier Pro Max to get that capability. Another noted analyst, Jeff Pu, says the ultrawide cameras on both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could get a significant bump up from 12 to 48 megapixels.
When it comes to the baseline iPhone models, the 16 and 16 Plus could feature cameras that are vertically stacked, instead of diagonally. This would allow the devices to more easily shoot spatial video, using information from both cameras to create a 3D-like effect. Spatial videos look like standard 2D videos when viewed on an iPhone but are designed to give a 3D effect when viewed on Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
Some iPhone models could also have thinner bezels, and therefore larger screens — though it’s not clear which. When it comes to processors, all four iPhone 16 models may get a next-generation Apple chipset with the A18 branding, with Pro versions packing a more powerful A18 Bionic Pro, and base models getting a regular A18.
iOS 18 could finally arrive
We’re also anticipating the long-awaited public rollout of iOS 18, which Apple debuted in June. The new operating system includes features like customizable home and lock screens, an updated Control Center and RCS messaging, which should make texting friends with Android phones more seamless.
The invitation for Apple’s Sept. 9 event hints that software, and AI in particular, could be a major focus throughout the keynote, even with the anticipated release of new gadgets. The range of overlapping colors on the Apple logo and “Glowtime” branding could be a callout to the Siri upgrade arriving with iOS 18, which activates a glowing border around your device when summoned.
Apple Watch Series 10 — or X?
It’s been about seven years since Apple surprised everyone with its unique naming convention for the iPhone X (skipping the iPhone “9” altogether in favor of a title that would commemorate the 10th anniversary of the device). And now, the company is poised to follow that tradition by potentially dubbing the 10th generation of its Watch series either the Apple Watch 10 or X (for the purposes of this article, we’ll go with X).
Apple is slated to update all of its Watch models, adding a new Apple Watch SE, Series X and Ultra 3, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The Apple Watch Ultra will reportedly sport minor tweaks and will largely look the same as last year’s model.
The Series X could have a thinner design, as well as larger screen size options; the 41mm iteration could increase to 45mm, while the 45mm current option could jump to 49mm. The Apple Watch X may also pack new health capabilities, including a system for detecting sleep apnea by measuring someone’s sleeping and breathing habits. It could also feature a new mechanism for attaching bands to the watch face magnetically.
Watch this: Apple Watch X Hype Is Hot, but Don’t Sleep on Series 9
New AirPods: Two is better than one
It’s possible Apple could unveil two new AirPods models during its fall event, according Gurman. They’d both have a redesigned look, including shorter stems, and support for USB-C charging. A higher-end version could feature active noise cancellation, meaning you wouldn’t need to get the more expensive AirPods Pro to enjoy that feature.
Apple-watchers are also anticipating an update to the AirPods Max, which debuted nearly four years ago. It’s not clear if we’ll see said improvements during Apple’s fall event, though. If we do, it’s possible the over-ear headphones could receive more modest updates like support for USB-C charging and new colors.
Come Sept. 9, we’ll see how many of these rumors come to fruition.
