Rumors about the Apple Event: New iPhone 16 Pro, AirPods 4 and Apple Watch Series 10

Apple has announced its annual September event, “It’s Glowtime” (overview), for tomorrow, a weekday earlier than usual. The event, which starts on Monday at 7 p.m., will probably present the new iPhone 16 (Pro), new fourth-generation AirPods and three new Apple Watches in more detail. Time for an overview.

Faster iPhone 16 & 16 Plus

Like last year, the iPhone 16 will be released in 6.1″ and 6.7″ and will therefore again be available in a Plus version. Aside from the size, the range of functions is again identical. The most noticeable changes include the new camera layout on the back, which is again closer to the iPhone X (test) from 2017 and therefore comes portrait. The accessories manufacturer ESR is already advertising the new layout (cover image) in an advertising email dated September 7th.

Action button for all

Also noticeable is the new action button, known from the iPhone 15 Pro (test), which replaces the mute button on the top left and is a programmable button for countless functions. The colors expected are white, green, pink and blue, with MacRumors also talks about a new black color. The rumor mill is not quite sure about this yet.

For further changes, we have to take a look inside, because a new A18 SoC is now supposed to work here, which for the first time promises a significant performance boost with 8 GB RAM (+2 GB) and new CPU and GPU cores. The iPhone 15 still works with the A16 SoC.

Apple Intelligence on board

The iPhone 16 will also be the first iPhone below the Pro iPhone to support Apple Intelligence (topic), also Apple’s smart AI features. However, the features are currently being delayed and are not being rolled out in the EU for the time being.

Larger iPhone 16 Pro & 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro will also be fully compatible with Apple Intelligence and will also be launched in the EU without the AI ​​functions. However, there are also some new features in the Pro models apart from AI: What will immediately catch the eye is that the screens will be larger from 6.1″ and 6.7″ to 6.3″ and 6.9″ respectively. At the same time, according to information from Bloomberg also reduce the edges by 1⁄3, making the iPhones even “slimmer” There will also be an A18 SoC inside, but it may have more GPU cores than the A18 in the base iPhone 16.

More megapixels on second sensor

While the camera layout is expected to remain the same on the Pros, both models could get a new 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, replacing the old one with 12 MP. This would not only enable the main sensor to take sharp photos at 48 MP. According to rumors, the small Pro will also get the 5x telephoto camera from the iPhone 15 Pro.

New button specifically for the camera

To deepen the focus on the camera, Apple also placed a new button on the bottom right of the case that can process touch inputs and pressure. This “camera button” should allow the user to zoom, take photos and perform other functions.

The colors expected for the Pro models are a new gold, black, white and beige/natural. Titanium will again be used as the case material, although this year it could be polished to a high gloss. There is also speculation about a price increase, as the 128 GB model of the small Pro is no longer in the portfolio, as MacRumors suspected.

AirPods Gen 4

In addition, new AirPods are expected to share the stage with the iPhone 16. The rumors about this already paint a clear picture: The fourth generation will be available in two versions, one with noise cancellation and one without. Both versions replace the second generation, which Apple is currently still selling, but cannot keep up with the range of functions of the AirPods Pro due to old hardware.

New design and hearing aids

Both models will therefore receive a new design and chips, but will still forego the ear tips of the Pro. The charging case will also have USB-C and anyone who buys the AirPods with ANC will receive one with integrated “Find my?”, which can be pinged like the AirPods Pro to find it at any time. Apple will also introduce a new function for hearing aids under the code name “Yodel”, such as Bloomberg writes. The prices have not yet been determined, but it can be assumed that both models will not become cheaper.

Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra and SE

In addition to headphones and smartphones, the launch of a total of three new smartwatch models is also expected. The highlight is a new design for the Series 10 and a new Watch SE made of plastic. The Ultra and Series 10 should also be able to detect sleep apnea. The possible changes will be discussed in a separate article.

Presentation at the “Glowtime”

The launch of the smartwatches, AirPods and iPhones is expected next Monday from 7 p.m. German time, when Apple launches its “It’s Glowtime” event (overview). As has been the case since Corona, it will be a pre-recorded presentation, accompanied by a hands-on opportunity for the press at selected locations.

A day earlier than usual because of a TV duel?

With the presentation on Monday, the launch of new iPhones will take place one weekday earlier than expected, as a Tuesday is normally predestined for the September event. The reason for this is probably how Bloomberg writes that one day later, with the first TV debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the attention of American society will be focused on politics and not on technological ideas.