Apple 'Glowtime' event latest news — iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10, AirPods 4 and more
Here's what Apple announced at its Glowtime launch
Apple packed in a lot of product news to its Glowtime event today (September 9), introducing us to a new iPhone lineup, the latest Apple Watch and new AirPods wireless earbuds.
The iPhone 16 lineup was probably the highlight of the event, with CEO Tim Cook saying the new phones had been designed "from the ground up" with Apple Intelligence features in mind. The Apple Watch 10 will have a larger size and an upcoming feature that detects sleep apnea. And Apple is revamping its earbuds lineup with two versions of the AirPods 4 — one with active noise cancellation capabilities and one without.
Other rumored announcements didn't materialize, though Apple did show off an Apple Watch Ultra 2 in a new satin black color. The AirPods Pro 2 are getting new features aimed at hearing health, and the AirPods Max are available in new colors as well.
Here's a round-up of Apple's biggest Glowtime announcements:
- iPhone 16: Apple's new entry-level flagships are powered by an A18 processor and add an Action button. They also sport a new Camera Control button for launching the camera and taking pictures. Apple is keeping the prices at $799 for the iPhone 16 and $899 for the iPhone 16 Plus.
- iPhone 16 Pro: Like the standard model, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max get a Camera Control button. These models feature a more powerful A18 Pro chipset and improved cameras. (All three cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro are updated, in fact.) The screen sizes on both models grew, but the prices stayed the same at $999 and $1,199 respectively.
- Apple Watch 10: Apple's watch has its largest display (a 46mm model alongside a 42mm version) and thinnest design (just 9.7mm thick) as well as a new S10 processor. A sleep apnea detection feature awaits regulatory approval; it wall also be available to Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models.
- AirPods 4: An H2 chip now powers the wireless earbuds, providing improved sound. But the real story is a $179 model that offers active noise cancellation, transparency mode and adaptive audio. The entry-level AirPods start at $129.
How to watch Apple's Glowtime event
The Glowtime event is complete, but you can watch a replay on Apple's YouTube channel or via the TV app on your Apple TV.
Which new iPhone should you get?
Right after the Apple event our own Kate Kozuch, Mark Spoonauer and John Velasco sat down to talk about the differences between the iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16 Pro. The goal: to help you decide what phone to buy and break down what's the same and what's different between the new iPhones. Check it out!
AirPods Pro 2 just got a big upgrade
No, it's not the hearing aid mode yet. But a new update for the AirPods Pro 2 just added some handy features via a software update rolling out starting today. This include the ability to use hands-free gestures. So you could shake your head no or nod to say yes in response to an incoming call, so you can don't even have to speak. This will work with Siri too.
Check out the other upgrades coming to your AirPods Pro 2.
Hands-on with the Apple Watch 10
want to see the larger Apple Watch 10 screen in action? We've got an Apple Watch 10 hands-on video that highlights the changes Apple made — besides the bigger screen, there's the thinner design, wide OLED screen, new watchfaces and colors.
Apple discontinues iPhones
The iPhone 16 launch brings four new iPhones to the mix but Apple has also used this occasion to discontinue a few iPhones and discount the price of other models. Learn which models are going away and which iPhones just got cheaper with a major discount in our quick rundown.
iPhone 16 hands-on — with video
You can read John Velasco's iPhone 16 hands-on to see what he thinks of Apple's entry-level flagship. Or you can watch the video of that hands-on with the iPhone 16.
OR... you can do both. Why not do both?
iPhone 16 Pro hands-on
Is bigger necessarily better? Mark Spoonauer goes hands-on with the larger iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max and shares his initial impressions of these two phones.
Pixel Watch 3 reminds up it's not all about the Apple Watch
Sure, this is a live blog surrounding the Apple Event and Apple has new smartwatches to show off today. But Apple's products don't exist in a vacuum, so it's helpful to know what the competition is up to. Which is why you may want to read this Pixel Watch 3 review if you're mulling an Apple Watch 10 purchase.
In his review, Dan Bracaglia thinks this third version of Google's smartwatch is a winner, with the size options, health tracking features and two-day battery life singled out for praise. That last item contrasts with the Apple Watch 10, which still offers just 18 hours of battery life.
Video star
There's some very compelling additions to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in the form of new video capture features that Apple added to the phones' cameras. For starters, you have the option of shooting 4K video at 120fps and changing the speed of playback after the fact. There are also tools for improved audio capture that can silence or lower ambient noise depending on what you want viewers to hear in a given scene.
Jeff Parsons dives into greater detail as to why the iPhone 16 Pro may prove to be a game changer for video capture.
Pre-ordering the iPhone 16
Apple's latest iPhones don't hit stores until September 20, but you don't have to wait until then if any of the four models announced today caught your eye. Apple is taking iPhone 16 pre-orders on Friday, and if you've got a device to trade in, you could end up saving on your purchase. Specifically, you can save up to $650 on any model when you buy from Apple, depending on the make and condition of the device you're parting with.
Here's a Glowtime event announcement that impacts owners of all Apple devices — not just the ones planning an upgrade to the new devices announced today. It involves all the software Apple previewed back at WWDC — iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia — and when the full versions will be available to download.
We'll cut right to the chase — everything's arriving next Monday (September 16), even the macOS release, which has shipped after the iPhone and Apple Watch software in the past.
Apple Intelligence won't be out for a while yet — it's still in developer beta as of this writing and isn't include in the host of software updates Apple rolls out next week. But it still dominated much of today's Glowtime event, particularly when Apple discussed its new iPhone 16 models.
Apple Intelligence is an important part of Apple's strategy going forward, but maybe you're not quite sure what it means for you. Here's a look at 5 Apple Intelligence features coming to the iPhone and how they might improve your overall experience.
Apple Watch 10 preorders
Preorders on the products Apple announced during Glowtime are starting today, and we're compiling information on some preorder deals for the latest Apple devices. Here's what we know about Apple Watch 10 preorders and what you can save with a trade-in.
Camera Control: How it works
Camera Control is easily one of the biggest additions to the iPhone, seeing as how it not only appears on all iPhone 16 models but also ties into Apple Intelligence. Here's a look at how Camera Control works and everything you can do with the feature.
iPhone lineup
Well, my prediction that Apple would keep around the iPhone 15 Pro didn't prove accurate. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus remain part of the lineup, with prices starting at $699. You can buy an iPhone 14 for $599, with the iPhone 14 Plus sticking around at $699. And the iPhone SE brings up the rear with a $429 starting price.
Wrapping up
And that's all the announcements Apple has to make today. But this live blog isn't done. We'll keep updating with more information, including hands-on reports from our crew in Cupertino.
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max pricing
No price hike on the iPhone 16 Pro! It's still starting at $999. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also keeps the $1,199 price Apple introduced on last year's Pro Max. And Apple confirms that pre-orders start September 13, with September 20 as the day the iPhones come out.
(This corrects an early post that had the wrong pre-order date.)
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max news
Our iPhone 16 Pro news story is in progress.
Audio features
You have the option of different audio mixes when capturing video that can remove or lower background news.
Voice Memos is getting an update later this year that lets you layer vocals on top of background music — a feature aimed at musicians who use the Voice Memo app to work on songs.
iPhone 16 Pro video features
For video capture, you get 4K at 120 fps, and Apple is touting some impressive slow-motion effects. You can also adjust playback speed after the fact.
iPhone 18 Pro cameras
There's a new 48MP fusion camera on the iPhone 16 Pro with a 2nd generation quad-pixel sensor that can capture information faster. The ultrawide camera gets a boost to 48MP. And all the Pro phones have a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x zoom. So the tetraprism telephoto camera is now on the iPhone 16 Pro as well as the Pro Max model.
New Photographic Styles can adjust color, highlights and shadows on skin tone, allowing you to personalize how people look. You can adjust color styles in individual areas instead of the entire shot. You can see real-time previews using the Camera Control button to scroll through different Photographic Styles.
'Best battery life ever'
The batteries in the iPhone 16 Pro are larger than before, and Apple is promising the best battery life ever for an iPhone.
The same Apple Intelligence and Camera Control features we talked about with the iPhone 16 are on tap here. But the iPhone 16 Pro models use an A18 Pro chipset.
The A18 Pro has a 16-core neural engine, supported by a 17% increase in memory bandwidth. The GPU has 6 cores, which is one more than what the A18 offers. Ray tracing is 2x faster than what the A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro offered.
The CPU is 15% faster than the A17 Pro and 20% more power efficient.
iPhone 16 Pro
And now it's the Pro models' turn. The displays are larger than before — 6.3 inches on the iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9 inches on the iPhone 16 Pro. Apple made the bezels thinner so the iPhone Pro models didn't grow in size.
There will be four finishes — black, white, natural and desert. That's the new color, and it's a carmel-like gold hue.
iPhone 16 price and availability
Prices are staying the same on the iPhone 16 ($799) and iPhone 16 Plus ($899). Apple's also offering up to $650 off on a trade-in when you buy your phone through Apple.
No word on availability, but I'd guess pre-orders today and September 20 shiping.
iPhone gaming
Apple is talking gaming, and apparently the A18 chip powering the iPhone 16 is powerful enough to support AAA games that had been limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models previously.
You're getting a bigger battery in the iPhone 16 as well, though true to form, Apple didn't say how much bigger.
Camera updates
For the most part, the iPhone 16 has the same main camera. The ultrawide camera still uses a 12MP sensor, but it's a new one that promises better low light performance. There's a macro mode, too, and you get autofocus.
And as I suggested earlier, Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus can record spatial video.
More on Camera Control
Now Apple's going into greater depth on the Camera Control. One click launches the camera app. A second click takes the photo. A Click and Hold captures video.
It contains a capacitive sensor to add gesture support. A light press gives you a preview that makes other interface features disappear. You can slide your finger to adjust zoom or the background blur on a portrait shot.
Apple Intelligence and Camera Control
Well, this is new — you can use the Camera Control button to snap a photo of a restaurant, and Apple Intelligence will look up information. You can also capture photos of flyers to add information to your calendar.
You can also use the Camera Control to search for items you photograph — take that Circle to Search — or look up things with ChatGPT.
It's called Visual Intelligence and it's coming later this year.
Siri
An Apple Intelligence recap wouldn't be complete without Siri's new features. The voice assistant now won't be thrown off if you stumble over words. And eventually Siri will be able to understand on-screen context — if you get texted about an album, for example, you can say "Play that" and Siri will know what you're talking about.
Apple Intelligence is coming as a free software update with a public beta in October.
Apple Intelligence
Apple's giving a recap of the Apple Intelligence features first unveiled back in June. The emphasis here is on privacy, as Apple looks to reassure you that your data stays private.
Otherwise, it's a recap of writing tools — proof-reading, tone suggestion and more. Image Playground and Genmoji represent some of the image-generation tools. You'll be able to do natural language searches for photos and create movies with text prompts. Your mail inbox and notifications will now include summaries to help you get the gist of those messages.
Again, this is all a recap.
Apple silicon
As expected, the iPhone 16 is jumping ahead to the A18, with a 16-core neural engine that's 2x faster for machine learning. You also get 17% more system memory bandwidth. All this is designed with Apple Intelligence and on-device AI in mind.
A18 has a 6-core CPU that's 30% faster than the iPhone 15's A16 Bionic chipset. Apple's also promising more energy efficiency — 30% less power while providing equal performance.
The GPU has 5 cores and it's 40% faster than the iPhone 15's GPU. It's 35% more power efficient.
Camera Control
Remember that Capture button that had been rumored? It's called the Camera Control, and it's part of the iPhone 16. It sounds like you'll be able to slide your finger to adjust controls.
iPhone 16 time
Tim Cook says the new iPhones have been designed from the ground up for Apple Intelligence.
We're going to start with the standard iPhone 16 first, and at first glance, you're getting the vertically stacked camera lenses that we were expecting. That enables the iPhone 16 to record spatial video.
Colors are ultramarine, teal and pink, joining black and white.
New Ceramic Shield material for the screen that's 50% tougher. Screen sizes are the same — 6.1 inches for the iPhone 16 and 6.7 inches for the iPhone 16 Plus.
You get the Action button, as had been rurmored.
AirPods Pro
New features are coming to the AirPods Pro, highlighted by a hearing protection feature that keeps the volume from damaging your hearing. There's also a hearing test capability that you can take on your iPhone using your AirPods to monitor hearing health. Results are stored in the Health app and can help you see if you're at risk for hearing loss.
A Hearing Aid feature is coming to AirPods Pro later this fall. Essentially, it turns the AirPods into a hearing aid so that you can better hear sounds around you.
These are updates for AirPods Pro 2, by the way — not a new product.
AirPods Max
Apple has new colors for the AirPods Max — Midnight, Blue, Purple, Orange and Starlight. Price is still $549.
Price and availability
AirPds 4 cost $129. The active noise cancellation cost $179. Pre-order them today and get them in stores on September 20.
Meet the AirPods 4
There's a new version the Apple AirPods. Apple is touting new controls to play/pause music and mute calls. The case uses USB-C and delivers 30 hours of battery life.
There are two models, one of which offers active noise cancellation. It also adds a Transparency mode so you can hear the ambient noise around you. Conversation Awareness will lower volume when you start talking to someone. The case of this more advanced AirPods 4 will include wireless charging.
Apple Watch Ultra analysis
Some Apple Watch Ultra-inspired sarcasm from Mark Spoonauer:
Apple Watch SE, MIA
Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at $799, just like it did before. But you can preorder that satin black model today, with availability starting September 20.
There's no new Apple Watch SE, either.
Apple Watch Ultra news
You aren't getting a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra, but you will get a new finish. Apple Watch Ultra 2 will get a satin black finish. There will be matching bands, too, including a titanium milanese loop.
Price and availability
Apple Watch 10 starts at $399. The cellular version costs $499.
You can pre-order today and the watch ships on September 20.
New fitness features
Series 10 gets a built-in depth gauge and a water temperature sensor — good news for swimmers, divers and snorkelers. There's even an app coming to the Apple Watch aimed at snorkelers, and a Tides app adds information about tidal conditions.
Health capabilities
After a recap of the various health tracking features, Apple announces the Apple Watch 10's ability to detect sleep apnea. The watch uses the accelerometer to detect breathing disturbances. It will send you notifications and advise that you talk to a doctor about seeking treatment.
The feature will require regulatory clearance, but Apple's expecting that soon.
Sleep Apnea detection is also coming to Series 9 watches and the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
S10 processor
You've got a new S10 processor for the Series 10 watches. It has crash detection and clear-audio features.
New metal back
A new metal back speeds up charging for the Apple Watch 10. The aluminum case weighs less, too.
Polished titanium is replacing stainless steel watches, and those weight 10% less. Natural, gold and dark slate gray are your titanium finishes.
Titanium Series 10 watches join Apple's lineup of carbon neutral products.
Watch colors
New aluminum finishes for Apple Watch 10 starting with a Jet Black option. You'll also be able to get Rose Gold and Silver Aluminum.
The Apple Watch 10 is 9.7mm, and Apple is detailing how it miniaturized different elements to shrink down the watch. Apparently, you can also play media through the Apple Watch 10's speakers.
Big screen watch
Apple Watch Series 10 has a display that's even bigger than Apple Watch Ultra, and a 30% larger screen than the Apple Watch 6. The idea is that the larger display is easier to use.
The glass extends further down the side for a more expansive view.
Apple Watch
Apple Watch is first up. "Every year we add features and capabilities that not long ago would have seemed impossible to fit in a device on your wrist," Cook says
The Apple Watch is getting a new design. It features the biggest display and thinnest design of any Apple Watch before it.
This is Tim
Tim Cook makes it official: "Today we're going to talk about Apple Watch, AirPods and iPhones."
The show begins
And we're underway, with one of those videos Apple likes to start its events with. This one's showing off various Apple products and how people use them to get fit, keep moving and alert people during emergencies.
Gemini weighs in
John Velasco asked Google's Gemini to take a look at the Glowtime imagery and discern what it might mean for Apple's product announcements. It is safe to say, Gemini was not helpful.
Gemini seems to think there's a number "77" in that image and that's providing a clue as to what Apple plans to show. We're unconvinced.
A view from inside
Here's another video courtesy of Mark Spoonauer that shows off his vantage point from inside the Steve Jobs Theater.
And we’re inside…Apple event starts very soon! #AppleEvent24 #iPhone16 pic.twitter.com/6ARkMjhuswSeptember 9, 2024
Apple Intelligence in the spotlight
We're expect a lot of talk about AI, particularly the Apple Intelligence features coming to iPhones, iPads and Macs later this year. Perhaps Apple will even show off new capabilities exclusive to the iPhone 16 lineup it's announcing today.
However, Apple Intelligence isn't a complete mystery. Not only did Apple preview it at WWDC this summer, but various software betas are available to try out the initial burst of Apple Intelligence features. (These are developer betas, but anyone can download them to their iPhone, iPad or Mac.)
In case you've missed it, we've got some initial impressions of Photo Clean Up — Apple's tool for removing unwanted people — and the revamped version of Siri.
Entering the theater
Our trio of Apple experts has made its way inside the theater, and they're taking their seats for Glowtime. Clearly, Apple is sticking with that theme for decoration purposes.
Capacity crowd
"This is the most crowded I’ve ever seen an Apple event," Mark Spoonaer says from Cupertino. "And I’ve been to a lot of them."
Everyone's heading to Cupertino
From John Velasco, here's a time-lapse image of the crowd descending upon the Steve Jobs Theater in advance of the 10 a.m. PT event.
Here we go! @apple @gopro #AppleEvent #AppleEvent24 pic.twitter.com/hEN8wPw5H6September 9, 2024
What about the AirPods Pro?
It's a pretty safe bet that Apple is working on a new version of the AirPods Pro. However, with both the AirPods 4 and AirPods Max follow-up set to appear at Glowtime today, the odds are long that we'll see an AirPods Pro 3 release. That squares with earlier reports that the Pro version of Apple's wireless earbuds might not arrive until 2025.
Nevertheless, here's an AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2 comparison, just to keep you up to date on the expected changes coming to the new pods.
The waiting game
To get a sense of how many people are covering Glowtime, Mark Spoonauer sends along this video, shot from the holding pen inside the Steve Jobs Theater.
Live look inside Steve Jobs Theater for Apple Event. Get ready for iPhone 16 launch but I think Apple Watch X could be bigger deal #AppleEvent24 #AppleEvent #Glowtime #iPhone16 pic.twitter.com/fNjFg3r3iRSeptember 9, 2024
Which iPhone should you get?
They'll be plenty of time to compare different iPhone models after Apple releases the iPhone 16 lineup. But in case you're debating which model to get already, John Velasco makes a compelling case on why the iPhone 16 Pro could be the phone to get, rather than the premium iPhone 16 Pro Max.
More Apple Watch details
Kate Kozuch has another update on Apple Glowtime event expectations, this time focusing on the Apple Watch 10.
@kate_kozuch ♬ original sound - Kate 👩💻📱📺⌚️
A blockbuster Apple Watch addition
We've got a last-minute Apple Watch 10 leak, and it's a doozy. There's another report claiming that the new Watch is getting an updated ECG/heart rate sensor capable of delivering more accurate results, which will unlock new features for the Apple Watch. That includes the ability to detect sleep apnea — a long-anticipated addition to the watch's health monitoring toolkit.
That confirms a report from the weekend that also claimed sleep apnea detection would be a marquis Apple Watch 10 addition.
The gathering crowd
The word from our Cupertino correspondents is that a sizable crowd is beginning to form outside the theater. If Apple sticks to form, the doors should open at the top of the hour.
Inside the Steve Jobs Theater
For her latest TikTok post, Kate Kozuch is inside the lobby of the Steve Jobs Theater, where the Glowtime event is going to take place.
@tomsguide ♬ original sound - Tom’s Guide
Before Glowtime comes breakfast time
Should you ever snag an invitation to an Apple event, you can count on Apple putting out some pastries and other breakfast items to help people fuel up ahead of the event itself. Mark Spoonauer sends word to try the French toast bites with strawberry cream cheese filling.
What to expect at Glowtime
What's better than a rundown of the potential product announcements Apple is likely to make at the Glowtime event? A rundown of the potential product announcements Apple is likely to make at the Glowtime event... from the event itself.
@mspoonyg ♬ Inspirational - neozilla
Badges acquired
From left to right, John Velasco, Kate Kozuch and Mark Spoonauer are all badged up and ready to enter the Glowtime event.
Apple Watch 10 rumors
If you've been paying more attention to the iPhone 16 at the expense of the upcoming Apple Watch release — guilty as charged, I'm afraid — here's a quick summary of what we expect to see in the Apple Watch 10.
What we're looking forward to
The Tom's Guide team in Cupertino weighs in with what they're most excited about with today's Glowtime event.
@tomsguide ♬ original sound - Tom’s Guide
Which iPhones are sticking around?
If you want my crazy prediction for today, it involves the iPhones in Apple's current lineup. As you know, when Apple releases new phones, it clears out some current models while lowering the prices for the ones that stick around. Usually, the Pro models from the previous year are goners, as Apple tends to only keep the standard iPhone and maybe the Plus model.
This year feels different, though. Because the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are the only current Apple handsets that can support Apple Intelligence, I think Apple keeps one, possibly both, as part of its phone lineup. I could see the iPhone 15 Pro sticking around at a new, reduced price of $899 — especially if rumors of an iPhone 16 Pro price increase turn out to be true.
Here's more on how Apple approaches price cuts with its older phones.
Tim Cook sounds off
As is tradition, Tim Cook has tweeted just before an Apple Event. If nothing else, he's being true to the Glowtime branding.
Apple Park is glowing! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/gVgtMbZhaMSeptember 9, 2024
Last-minute rumors, iPhone 16 edition
If you're looking for a quick video summary of the top iPhone 16 Pro rumors, you've come to the right place.
Welcome to Cupertino
My colleagues Mark Spoonauer, John Velasco and Kate Kozuch are in Cupertino and on their way to the event site. Hope they can make it — we're 2.5 hours away from showtime.
Cameras figure to be a big deal for the iPhones coming out today, particularly on the iPhone 16 Pro side of things. The big additions figure to be an improved telephoto lens for the iPhone 16 Pro, along with upgraded ultrawide lenses for both the standard Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
But my colleague John Velasco is hoping to see much, much more, particularly when it comes to the kind of controls and features needed by people who use their iPhones to capture content for YouTube, TikTok and more. Here are the seven features he wants Apple to add to its camera setup with the iPhone 16 Pro.
Don't forget about tvOS
With all the changes coming to iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and Macs via software updates, it's easy to forget about the Apple TV. But a new version of tvOS is also in beta right, and we're likely to get a release date for tvOS 18 during or after the Apple event.
As a refresher from Apple previewed at WWDC 2024, tvOS 18 brings some noteworthy changes, including an option for enhancing dialogue that taps into AI. You'll also get support for 21:9 projectors with this update. And on the Apple TV Plus front, a new InSight feature lets you pull up information about the actors in a given scene along with what song is playing. Any similarities to Amazon Prime Video's X-Ray feature is purely coincidental.
iPhone through the years
If rumors about the iPhone 16 prove to be true, today's Glowtime event could wind up being one of the more memorable ones Apple has hosted, depending on how many more details there are about Apple AI.
Since I've covered every Apple launch from the get-go, I've put together a list of my favorite iPhone launch event moments.
Samsung readies its iPhone 16 rival
You don't expect Apple's rival phone makers to great the iPhone 16 release with a resigned shrug. Those companies are already working on their next phone releases, and if some details should leak out when Apple's about to announce its own phones, well, c'est le guerre.
To that end, leakers are posting details about the Galaxy S25 Ultra cameras, with Samsung reportedly planning to bolster that phone's ultrawide camera with a 1/2.52" sensor that has a 50MP rating. The current Galaxy S24 Ultra tops out at 12MP.
The timing of the rumor is interesting since an upgraded ultrawide lens is on the table for the iPhone 16 Pro models today. It seems like these wider angle shots are the next battleground for the top camera phones.
iPad mini 7 rumors
If you want to talk potential surprises at Glowtime, the iPad mini 7 seems like a prime candidate. The iPad mini 6 came out in 2021, so it's safe to say that's Apple's compact tablet is due for an upgrade.
But what to expect? Some last-minute rumor roundups for the iPad mini 7 point to the following changes:
- An A17 or A18 chipset
- Apple Pencil Pro support
- Wi-Fi 6e support
- New colors (though those are unspecificed)
- Potential increases to storage capacity and memory
Time for a watch upgrade?
Comparing this year's smartwatch to last year's version can be a helpful exercise, as it shows you what kind of improvements the device has made year over year. But we're going to guess anyone who bought an Apple Watch 9 in the last year is unlikely to jump to an Apple Watch 10 once that new wearable comes out.
Older watches are another matter. To help you figure out if it's time to swap out that aging Apple Watch on your wrist for whatever Apple announces today, wearables expert Dan Bracaglia has an Apple Watch 10 vs. Apple Watch 7 comparison based on potential upgrades to the watch.
What about the iPhone SE?
There was some quickly shot-down speculation in the last week that the iPhone SE 4 might make an appearance at Glowtime. The reason? Supplies of Apple's cheapest phone are reportedly running low — not surprising since the iPhone SE 2022 celebrated its 2nd birthday back in the spring.
We''ll add our voice to the mix: It is highly unlikely you will see an iPhone SE 4 today — instead, that phone is on track for a release in spring 2025.
Still, there are reasons Apple should come out with a new SE model sooner rather than later, and it comes down to the competition. Google, OnePlus and Samsung all have compelling entries for less than $500. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022 becomes less compelling with each passing day, thanks to its dated look and lack of night mode support.
If there's good news, the iPhone SE 4 sounds like a big improvement, based on the rumors. The screen is tipped to get bigger — 6.1 inches — and the phone is set to ditch its iPhone X era design. More important, it could also feature an A18 chipset, putting the next iPhone SE in line to support Apple Intelligence features.
Apple Glasses — looking to the future
There's no indication that Apple will have any Vision Pro or related AR/VR announcements to make today. However elsewhere in the leak-o-sphere, we're getting new information about the Apple Glasses.
These lightweight AR spectacles are thought to be a direct rival for the Meta Ray-Ban glasses, after Apple was apparently so impressed by their rival's work. Combining digital assistant and AI features plus snapshot photography abilities with the built-in cameras sounds like something Apple could easily copy, and possibly better thanks to its history of strong interconnectivity between its devices. Think of taking a quick photo of something you've seen while wearing the glasses and using AirDrop to easily pass the images to your iPhone and then sending them on from there.
The new AirPods Max may not change enough
Should we see a new generation of AirPods Max at today's event (and it's looking likely that we will), it seems like the new Apple wireless headphones won't change all that much.
While an update to USB-C charging instead of Lightning would be welcome, and better active noise canceling is obviously a benefit, not making any changes to the unpopular included soft case (the only way to properly turn off the headphones) is, as audio editor Tammy Rogers notes, still not that great compared to rival products. Although at least we could get updated colors to make this iterative update more notable.
Watch out for another Apple event next month
Apple may not be done with events for the year with Glowtime today, as another could take place in October.
This would match last year's Apple event schedule, where Apple saved new iPads and MacBooks for a standalone event after the iPhone 15's debut. Considering we've already seen Apple's latest M4 chip debut in the iPad Pro back at the start of this year, and all Macs use M3 or older silicon, it feels like the right time for Apple to update its MacBook Pro laptops and Mac mini desktops, as rumored.
Like clockwork, the Apple Store site's down
Apple normally takes its online store offline prior to an event so it can prepare the pages of its new products. And that seems to have happened in the last few minutes, as you can see in the screengrab above.
You can still navigate some parts of Apple.com but any area that would direct you to make a purchase is inaccessible. So you'd better get ready to place your order for any new (or existing) devices once the presentation ends later today.
Apple Watch Ultra series may get a new color, but no new model
Better temper your expectations if you're looking forward to seeing a new Apple Watch Ultra 3 model today — it looks as if it may not happen.
Instead of a brand new Ultra watch, Apple may instead show off a new black titanium color of the current Apple Watch Ultra 2. Seems like an odd way to mark the 10th anniversary of the first Apple Watch, but if the Apple Watch 10 is meant to act as the big new wearable of this event, then perhaps Apple fans will forgive the company keeping its existing rugged flagship watch around for a little while longer.
No price hike tipped for iPhone 16 Pro
The latest on the price of the iPhone 16 Pro is that it won't be any more expensive than last year, and we couldn't be happier.
Last year's iPhone 15 Pro Max increased in price but also increased the default storage capacity to compensate. So it was wondered if Apple would pull the same trick with the smaller Pro model this year. Fortunately, it seems like you'll still be able to get a top-tier iPhone, rumored to feature an enlarged display and a 5x telephoto camera previously exclusive to the Pro Max model, for just under $1,000 this year. Even if you're still only getting 128GB of storage at that price.
New Macs and macOS Sequoia are coming — but not today
We're not expecting to see any new Macs at today's Apple event. Those could be appearing next month at a second show though, so don't be too disappointed if there's no laptop or desktop talk during the Glowtime show.
In the meantime, users of current Macs can get excited for the arrival of macOS Sequoia, which is tipped to get its stable release within the next week. This update brings features like iPhone Mirroring, Safari Highlights and an inbuilt Passwords app, plus all the powers collected under Apple Intelligence.
Four possible iPhones, two very different experiences
Regular iPhones and Pro iPhones have always had a feature gap by design, but the iPhone 16 series may have the largest divide yet due to regional legal differences
As U.K. editor-in-chief Jeff Parsons recently wrote, due to the European Union's recently-passed Digital Markets Act, Apple is offering some features like third-party app store compatibility to EU member countries only. But Apple is limiting these nations' access to some of its new software features, like Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharing. So be aware that some of the new abilities Apple announces for its products today may not come to where you live, due to these legislative complications.
AI upgrades a focus of the new iPhone 16 chips
In order to capitalize on the AI moment the whole tech world's having, Apple could be using a new chip architecture to help the iPhone 16's A18 silicon offer the best possible artificial intelligence processing.
Apple's mobile chipsets have historically been some of the most powerful found on any smartphone, but beefy CPUs and GPUs don't necessarily help with AI tasks. That's why Apple's focusing on its Neural Engine (its in-house name for an NPU) and its Apple Intelligence features to deliver an upgraded experience.
A new Apple store on Apple event day
If you happen to be at the Mall of Scandinavia in Stockholm, Sweden today, you'll notice Apple's opening a brand new Apple Store. A busy day for Swedish Apple fans, for sure.
If Apple had kept to its previous habits and held its Glowtime event on a Tuesday, this overlap wouldn't have happened. But the new Stockholm store gets to share the spotlight with the iPhone 16's anticipated launch, if only for a little while.
Looking ahead to the iPhone 17
All the attention is on the iPhone 16 today — as you’d imagine — but if you’re wavering on whether to upgrade now or wait another year, it might be helpful to know what’s already being rumored for the iPhone 17.
We won’t see those device until time in 2025, but a few details are already emerging. For starters, the basic iPhone model is finally set to get a fast-refreshing display — a feature currently reserved for just the Pro models. (And that’s likely to continue with today’s iPhone 16 models.) The A19 silicon likely to power next year’s phones is expected to be built on a 2-nanometer process, compared to the 3nm A18 chipset likely to wind up in the iPhone 16. Extensive camera upgrades are tapped for the iPhone 17 Pro models, too.
But the biggest addition could be the arrival of an iPhone 17 Slim model. It’s rumored to be the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made.
Last-minute camera upgrades tipped for iPhone 16 Pro
Photography is still a key part of any flagship phone's offering, so we're glad to hear that Apple's going to upgrade several parts of the iPhone 16 Pro's kit, at least according to some recent rumors.
We'd already heard that we may see a 48MP ultrawide camera replace the current 12MP unit found on the iPhone 15 Pro, but we could also find higher FPS options for 4K video recording, better wind noise removal and the option to pause and resume your video capture rather than simply stop and make a new clip. And that's not to mention the Capture button that all iPhone 16 models are apparently getting to make snapping or shooting with the new iPhone's cameras even easier.
Why might you upgrade to an iPhone 16?
According to recent polling, users interested in buying an iPhone 16 prior to it being announced generally aren't interested in an upgrade because of a specific rumored feature, but simply because their current phone is getting old, or is damaged or lost.
While there are expected to be some groundbreaking improvements to the iPhone 16 series, like with its high-performance chipset, advanced AI features, improved camera or larger battery, buying it to replace an outdated device is probably still one of the best reasons to open your wallet. Especially if your current iPhone's too old to run iOS 18, which will start rolling out to eligible phones this fall.
Pressure from the Pixel
Usually, Google releases its Pixel flagships a month after the iPhone, but this year, the Pixel 9 series launch jumped up into August. It’s the rare instance where Google’s phone release puts some pressure on Apple since the areas where the Pixel excel — photos and AI features — are also of interest to Apple.
And Apple would be well-advised not to dismiss the Pixel 9 out of hand, since this year’s Google flagships not only nailed the categories you’d expect, but also registered improved battery life and brighter displays. Phone editor John Velasco lists the 7 things Apple can learn from the Pixel 9’s success; hopefully, the iPhone 16 reflects some of those suggestions.
AirPods Max 2 surprise!
Up until very recently we didn't expect Apple to unveil the AirPods Max to at the Glowtime event. But now Apple reporter Mark Gurman says on X that the AirPods Max 2 will indeed debut today.
Gurman claims that the new AirPods Max will offer improved noise cancellation, adaptive audio and USB-C charging. The AirPods Max are one of the most expensive headphones out there, but they still rank fairly high on our best noise cancelling headphones list. Still, we wouldn't be mad at a price drop.
I expect Apple to launch new AirPods Max headphones tomorrow with better noise cancellation, adaptive audio & USB-C. They’ll launch with the low-end AirPods 4. This is line with my reporting for months but runs counter to lack of low inventory in stores. https://t.co/KIJQEwywcpSeptember 9, 2024
iPhone 16 prices — there could be one hike
Apple will likely keep the iPhone 16 prices largely the same this year, but there could be one exception. We anticipate that the iPhone 16 will start at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus $899.
How about the iPhone 16 Pro? We're hearing there's a chance that Apple could raise the price from $999 to $1,099. The reasoning: it could start with 256GB of storage, up from 128GB on the iPhone 15 Pro. And the iPhone 16 Pro will likely have the same 5x tetraprism lens as the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max will likely cost the same $1,199 as the 15 Pro Max, which already had 256GB.
iPhone 16 colors: Here's the rumors
If you're excited to see what iPhone 16 colors Apple will debut, we understand — the different shades Apple uses for each year are the first thing people see when they look at the phone, and you want a color that matches your taste. If you prefer to be surprised by the color announcements, well, then look away, because we’re about to share the latest rumors.
No less a source than Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims the iPhone 16 Pro models will come in Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium and Gold Titanium. The first three colors are holdovers from the current iPhone 15 Pro lineup; the last is a newcomer that’s knocking the Titanium Blue option out of the rotation. From what we’ve seen via leaked renders of the Gold Titanium option, it seems to have a more caramel tone.
As for the standard IPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, rumored colors look to be blue, green, pink and yellow, with the latter option replacing the white iPhone. The status of black as a basic iPhone color is up in the air, but we’d be surprised to see it go.
An Apple Watch SE surprise?
It’s not going out on a limb to say that there will be new Apple Watch models at the Glowtime event, with the Apple Watch 10 all but certain to appear and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 also likely. But there have been fewer Apple Watch SE 3 rumors, raising some doubt as to whether Apple has a new version of its entry-level watch in the works.
The timing is certainly right for a new SE model. The first Apple Watch SE came out in 2020, followed by a sequel in 2022. If that means a two-year cadence for new models, then the Apple Watch SE 3 would be right on schedule.
The question is, what would Apple do with such a watch? There’s a thought the company might switch to plastic for the enclosure to lower the cost of the SE. It could also get an S9 processor that could improve battery life.
Not everyone’s convinced that an Apple Watch SE 3 is coming this year, but our wearables expert Dan Bracaglia is excited by the prospect of a new entry-level model.
Get ready for iOS 18
We don’t just find out about hardware at Apple’s fall events. Apple also announces release dates for the software updates it first previewed back at WWDC. In this case, that will be iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia.
That news isn’t always included during the presentation itself. Often, Apple simply announces dates when the software will become available via press release.
We’d expect iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and watchOS 11 to arrive at the same time. In recent years, Apple has waited to roll out its macOS update, though that might change this year since macOS Sequoia includes Apple Intelligence features that will also be available on the iPhone and iPad. Then again, since Apple Intelligence is expected to arrive until a later software update, Apple could continue to stagger the release of its macOS update until after the other OS downloads are made available.
As for timing, you’d expect the iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and watchOS 10 updates to show up just ahead of the new hardware Apple is releasing. Assuming a September 20 launch date for the new devices, we’d expect the software to come out the same week, either on a Monday or a Tuesday.
iPhone 16 Pro zoom upgrade incoming
A consistent rumor about the iPhone 16 Pro is that the lower-cost version of Apple’s Pro phones was going to follow in the footsteps of last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max by adding a tetraprism telephoto lens capable of supporting a 5x optical zoom. Right now, the iPhone 15 Pro tops out at a 3x zoom, relying on digital zoom beyond that.
You really see how the shorter zoom length limits the iPhone 15 Pro’s cameras when you compare it to other camera phones that can zoom further out. I did exactly that with my Pixel 9 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro camera face-off. The two phones are actually fairly evenly matched on the camera front, which is encouraging for Apple. But one area where the Pixel is clearly better is on zoom shots, where everything’s sharper and more detailed with the Pixel 9 Pro. (Google’s Super Res Zoom feature also plays a hand in that, as does the higher-megapixel rating on the Pixel’s 48MP telephoto sensor.)
So yes, the tetraprism-style telephoto lens may be a hand-me-down feature. But it’s one the iPhone 16 Pro badly needs.
Glowtime — get ready for the new Siri
The 'It's Glowtime' in the Apple invite is a direct reference to the new animation for Siri in iOS 18, which is a going to be a hallmark feature for the new iPhone 16 series. Yes, the new Siri will work with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, too, but this is the first set of iPhones that will be built from the ground up to handle Apple Intelligence.
The new Siri is designed to be more conversational and have better contextual intelligence, so you won't have to be as specific when you ask follow up questions. And you don't have to worry if you stumble over your words; you should be able to correct yourself mid-sentence and the new Siri should be able to understand you.
However, I was not that impressed with the new Siri when I went hands-on with the iOS 18 public beta. And certain features may not come until later in the year or even next year, such as ChatGPT integration and being able to voice control various apps. We just reported on the fact that some Apple Intelligence features could be delayed.
We'll have to see if Siri makes a good impression during live demos. No pressure!
A big redesign for Apple Watch 10
The Apple Watch 10 is expected to be a major upgrade for Apple based on various reports. After all, it's the 10th anniversary of Apple's wearable, so another iterative upgrade is not going to cut it.
For one, we're expecting larger sizes for the Apple Watch 10 ranging up to 49mm. The Apple Watch 8 is available in 41mm and 45mm. You can also expect a flatter display.
In addition, the Apple Watch 10 is tipped for health upgrades, including a new ECG sensor and the ability to detect sleep apnea. But it looks like blood pressure reading is off the table at least for now.
Here comes the AirPods 4 — two of them?
We’re pretty confident that new AirPods will be among the products to debut at Glowtime, with the AirPods 4 set to get some stage time at the event. It’s more of a debate as to how many AirPods there will be, as one rumor speculates that Apple is coming out with two versions of the AirPods 4.
Some of the expected changes are quite obvious. Apple’s going to release a USB-C charging case with the new AirPods, because USB is the direction Apple is going in these days. They could also pick up the look of the AirPods Pro, according to one report.
But that’s not the only thing at least one set of the AirPods will adopt. The higher-end version of the AirPods 4 looks like it’s getting an active noise cancellation feature, the first time that’s available outside of the Pro version of the earbuds. The other AirdPods will be an entry-level model more akin to the AirPods 2, which Apple is likely to discontinue along with the AirPods 3.
iPhone 16 Release Date: When will it ship?
We’ll find out at the end of the event two important dates — when iPhone 16 pre-orders begin and when the phones arrive in stores. However, a little background knowledge about how Apple does things can help us make educated guesses as to when that iPhone 16 release date will be.
Usually Apple starts taking pre-orders the Friday following the iPhone launch event. That would give us a date of Friday, September 13 should Apple stick to that pattern. The iPhones themselves usually go on sale a week later, so we’d assume September 20 is the big day.
One source disputes that claim — a leaker who’s assumed that Apple is moving everything up by a day since this year’s launch event takes place on a Monday instead of its typical Tuesday slot. We don’t follow that reasoning. Besides, Apple is opening one of its retail stores in Stockholm, Sweden, on September 20, so you’d imagine the company would want the store open for business in time for the iPhone 16 release.
Last-minute iPhone 16 rumors
Though we’re just hours away from the start of the Glowtime event, that’s not going to stop last-minute details from leaking out about the iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10 or whatever else is on the agenda for today. Obviously, we’ll post any last-second rumors we hear about, particularly if it relates to the price Apple plans to charge for its new hardware (a classic detail to leak out right at the last second).
If you want to stay up to date on the latest rumors surrounding Apple’s phones, though, check out our round-up of last-minute iPhone 16 rumors.
