Now that September is (quite literally) around the corner, hype for Apple’s upcoming annual September event has reached fever pitch. Speculation and rumors abound, on everything from the upcoming iPhone to a potential new iPad.
The event has been confirmed for September 7th, and while it’s only a week away, Apple has more or less kept quiet regarding what it plans to unveil. Despite this fact, there are some Apple products that have made it out into the public eye through leaks and so forth. Based on previous rumors, speculation, and leaks, here are some of the products expected to be revealed at the event.
iPhone 7 to be the star of the show
Ah, the star of the show. The next iPhone – we’ll just call it the iPhone 7 for now – will, without a doubt, be the highlight of the event. Every September event has been about the iPhone, and we expect this one to be no different
The design of the Cupertino-based tech giant’s top-of-the-line smartphone is not expected to change very much, according to the leaks and reports that we’ve seen thus far, although there are several things that are expected to change.
The iPhone 7 will encompass two different models, just like the iPhone 6 (and 6S) had the regular and Plus models. Apple is expected to release two models of the iPhone 7, a 4.7-inch iPhone as well as a 5.5-inch Plus model.
The 4.7-inch iPhone 7 model is expected to ship with a larger camera, which presumably means that the phone will have a larger and more sophisticated sensor with the ability to gather more light and produce sharper, better photos.
The 5.5-inch iPhone 7 model is said to have a dual-camera system, allowing the phone to take two images at once and then stitch them together to produce a drastically better and sharper photograph. This dual camera system would also allow users to change the focus of photos, giving them similar results as photos taken with a DSLR camera.
Another change for the phone is that it’s ditching the headphone jack. It’s all but been confirmed, so it will certainly be interesting to see the company’s reasoning behind the move. Instead of a traditional headphone jack, users will have to use headphones that plug into the device’s Lightning charging port, or pair a set of Bluetooth headphones. Apple will likely include a pair of Lightning earbuds with the phone.
A rumor that has been making rounds is that Apple is working on new wireless earbuds that will release with the headphone-jack-less iPhone 7. While this would certainly be a welcome addition, Apple will most likely sell the earbuds as a separate accessory.
One of the more significant changes expected on the new iPhone is its redesigned home button. It’s not expected to be a button at all, but a pressure-sensitive pad without any moving parts. This is probably a way in which Apple is going to wean its users off of the home button, which many expect the company to completely do away with altogether with next year’s iPhone.
Apple Watch 2 to be announced
It’s been almost two years since Apple first revealed their Apple Watch, and it’s definitely ready for an update. The new version of the Apple Watch, most likely to be called the Apple Watch 2 (yeah, we know), won’t look much different than the first iteration. It is, however, expected to be somewhere between 20% and 40% thinner.
The smartwatch will include, as many expect, an integrated “selfie camera,” allowing users to snap quick pictures of themselves without having to pull out their iPhones.
The battery life is also expected to be improved, as this one one of the most-criticized issues regarding the original Apple Watch. However, Apple may approach the battery problem as it did with the iPad, improving the battery’s efficiency through adjustments in the watchOS.
The Apple Watch 2 will also most likely include new sensors for tracking health, as well as GPS and barometer features.
New iPads on the way?
The iPad mini 4 was revealed last September, and there is much speculation that the device will see its newest iteration unveiled this September. Additionally, rumors abound that Apple plans to bring the device into the iPad Pro nomenclature, calling it the iPad mini Pro. Along with a new iPad mini 5, there is a speculation that Apple will be unveiling a new iPad Pro 2
Apple could potentially announce new MacBook Pros
While new MacBook Pros are indeed expected sometime this year, recent reports have stated that Apple might hold off on their announcement at the September 7th event. Usually, the September event focuses on the iPhone, but last year, Apple packed all of its new products into a sing fall event, which could dictate that the new MacBook Pros could potentially be revealed.
Brand-new OS release dates
Earlier this year at the WWDC conference, Apple announced four new operating systems: iOS 10 for the iPhone and iPad, macOS Sierra for the Mac, watchOS 3 for the Apple Watch, and tvOS for the Apple TV. It’s safe to assume that Apple will officially announce the release dates for all four at the event.
While these products are most likely to be revealed at the September 7th event, keep in mind that these are all based upon rumors and leaks, so it’s probably a good idea to take this information with a grain of salt. Stay tuned for more details as the event gets closer.
