Apple September Event 2024: News on the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch 10
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A slew of exciting new Apple products is just a couple of weeks away, including the iPhone 16, at least one new Apple Watch, and new AirPods.
While Apple hasn't confirmed its September event yet, it has a consistent history of holding an event in September and rumors are already circulating about it.
The main event will be the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, which are expected to be the most powerful iPhones yet, due in part to Apple's recent leap into AI. The Apple Watch Series 10 (or Apple Watch X) could also make an appearance, potentially with a sleek, thin new design. The iPhone 16 and Apple Watch X will also be accompanied by a new set of AirPods and a budget-friendly, family-friendly Apple Watch SE.
Other products are still in the works for later in 2024. The iPad mini 7 and the highly-anticipated M4 Macs are unlikely to make an appearance at this event, but could still arrive before the end of the year. And, of course, Apple Intelligence is still slated to roll out this fall.
Here’s everything we know about the Apple September Event 2024 including the time and date and the new products Apple could unveil.
When is the Apple September Event 2024?
Apple events are typically announced two weeks before the official date. The Cupertino-based tech giant tends to keep the dates for its events (and all the juicy details) under wraps as long as possible.
However, Apple consistently holds an event every year on the second Tuesday in September which this year falls on September 10. Apple analyst Mark Gurman also leaked this date in an August 23 Bloomberg article. According to Gurman, a September 10 event would mean all the new tech Apple unveils, including the new iPhones, will be in Apple stores starting September 20.
Apple will most likely kick things off around 10 a.m. Pacific / 1 p.m. Eastern on September 10. You can stream it on YouTube or directly on Apple’s website or Apple TV.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro
It’s all about the iPhones. The siblings birthed this year are anticipated to be the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. We're expecting some upgrades from the iPhone 15 line-up, but it probably won't be worth upgrading if you already have an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max.
Component costs have been rising for years, and Apple's flagship product is also getting more ex. The iPhone 15 Pro Max jumped to $1,199 from $1,099 in the 14 Pro Max. Ideally, the iPhone 16 will remain at the model’s usual $799; the same goes for the iPhone 16 Plus at $899 and the iPhone 16 Pro at $999. But don’t be shocked if prices go up.
A report from a Weibo user claims that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will remain at their current sizes, 6.1 and 6.7 inches, respectively. However, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will scale up to 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively. Echoing the Weibo rumor, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims that the iPhone 16 Pro models will grow “a couple tenths of an inch diagonally.”
Leaks about the iPhone posted on Weibo also indicate that the Action button (from iPhone 15 Pro models) will reach the base iPhone 16 models. The new Capture button (a camera shutter button) is also present. And then there’s the new camera block, which aligns the cameras vertically instead of diagonally.
The most exciting rumor is the three-nanometer A18 chip
We all love design changes, but the most exciting rumor is the 3-nanometer A18 chip. We expected the iPhone base models to inherit last year’s Pro chip (Apple A17).
According to industry analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 16 series will launch with the A18 Bionic chips. More power across the board is excellent — but it does remind us of the component-cost concern.
Then there are the battery life rumors. Baby Baby Sauce on Weibo claims that the iPhone 16 battery capacity is increasing across the board, except for the iPhone 16 Plus. Who knows what kind of real-world impact that’ll have on the phones?
Don’t get me started on cameras. The family is getting an improved telephoto lens with the exact 48MP resolution, while the Pro models are getting a larger sensor. Or possibly a second 48MP sensor, according to a research note from Jeff Pu (via MacRumors).
The family of iPhones will ship with iOS 18. They're arriving just in time to compete with Google's recently announced Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.
Apple Watch 10 and SE (3rd generation)
The Apple Watch 10 (or X) is all but guaranteed to appear at the 2024 Apple September Event. However, little information is available.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that it will offer "larger screen sizes" and "a thinner design." It’ll be fun or frustrating to see how that’ll be compatible with current bands.
Bloomberg also reports that the Apple Watch 10 could also monitor for sleep apnea and hypertension signs. That’s incredibly significant, coming from someone who suffers from sleep apnea.
However, Bloomberg notes that a reliable source claims that sleep apnea detection requires blood oxygen saturation data, which would require a SpO2 sensor. A sensor that led to a legal fight with healthcare technology company Masimo over intellectual property.
A report from The Elec suggests the Apple Watch 10 will receive a battery upgrade in the form of its new LTPO TFT display. This type of display consumes less power and can output the same brightness, which means longer battery life.
In addition to the Apple Watch 10 or "Series X," the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE is also due for an update. Since launching it in 2020, Apple has consistently revamped the Watch SE every two years.
This year's model is expected to get a new option for a plastic chassis and potentially a lower starting price, both of which could help it appeal more to kids and families. If Apple drops the price down to $199 (rather than the current $249), the SE will also be more competitive with Samsung's base Galaxy Watch.
AirPods Max 2
The only rumor we’ve heard about the AirPods Max 2 isn’t even about the AirPods Max 2 — we knew we’d get the AirPods Max 2 or at least a refresh of the original to align with the EU’s enforcement of Apple implementing USB Type-C ports.
However, Bloomberg reports that we won’t get the AirPods Max 2 this year; instead, Apple will offer the same AirPods Max 2 but in different colors.
iPad mini 7
The iPad Mini 7 might be at Apple's September iPhone event since the current model launched in 2021. It's been three years since the last iPad Mini hit shelves, so it's high time for an update. The Mini is also now the oldest iPad in Apple's line-up since an iPad event in May that brought us a refreshed iPad Pro and iPad Air.
Apple is unlikely to hold an entire event for an iPad Mini release, so it's possible it could get slotted into the September iPhone event. Otherwise, we may have to wait until the 2025 iPad event for a new Mini. Either way, we're hoping to see Apple give the iPad Mini an OLED display upgrade at the very least.
