New iPhones headline Apple event on Monday

Everything the tech giant is expected to announce today

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WDC) in Cupertino, California in June. Photograph:y NIC COURY/AFP via Getty Images
Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WDC) in Cupertino, California in June. Photograph:y NIC COURY/AFP via Getty Images

For Apple fans and watchers, September means one thing: new iPhones. And with Apple set to hold its “Glowtime” event in Cupertino later today, there are plenty of rumours about what the company is planning to announce.

New iPhones are a given, but there is talk about new AirPods and expectations that Apple will also update its smartwatches.

So what exactly are we expecting to see later today?

iPhone 16

September is traditionally new iPhone month, so it isn’t a huge leap to think that Apple will unveil the iPhone 16. The device will be the first after the new Apple Intelligence features were announced, although most of the AI-powered features won’t be available until later in the year – and are further away for EU users.

The new devices will get an updated chip, as usual, with some improvements to the camera. Although the design is expected to remain largely the same – some are predicting the big redesign will come next year – the screen sizes are expected to increase to 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches for the Pro and Pro Max.

Apple is also expected to roll out the action button on the Pro models to the rest of the iPhone line-up, while it may add a specific camera button.

Bigger watches

If the rumours are true, Apple is about to increase the screen size on the Series 10 Apple Watch. The current watch comes in 41mm and 45mm watch faces; the upcoming devices are said to be adding a couple of millimetres to each.

The water resistance of the Series 10 and the Apple Watch Ultra may also be improved, with the latter getting resistance of up to 100 metres, and the Series 10 being certified for use in high speed watersports at depths of up to 20 metres.

The Apple Watch is also said to be getting new sensors, updating the ECG and heart rate sensor that could enable sleep apnea detection.

New AirPods

Is Apple planning new AirPods? The standard AirPods may be redesigned to look more like the Pro version, shortening the stem and potentially changing the fit. A potential second version could include active noise cancellation.

The AirPods Max could also get some minor updates, ditching the lightning port for USB C.

Software updates

With new iPhones comes new software. iOS 18 and all its AI glory was unveiled at WWDC in June, but we should get a better idea today of when we can expect all the new features to land.

There are also WatchOS 11, iPadOS 18, MacOS Sequoia and TV OS 18 coming, along with VisionOS 2 for the Apple Vision Pro headset. Expect to hear more about when we will get these on our devices during Apple’s event.

The event, which kicks off at 6pm Irish time, can be watched on Apple’s website or on its Apple TV app.

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Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist