Apple has announced its annual September event (this time it’s called ‘Wonderlust’), scheduled for September 12 at its Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino. This is where the company’s most popular device gets launched, that is, a new iPhone series. So what can we expect this year? Plenty.
iPhone 15 series
Getting to see the iPhone 15 series is the biggest certainty on September 12. From what we gather, there will be the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. By the way, the Pro Max model could be in for a rebranding and may get the Ultra tag.
The biggest upgrade that we may get to see is the killing of the Lightning port in favour of USB-C connectivity. It’s something that is being brought on by European Union rules. Last year, EU passed a landmark law requiring all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU to use USB-C for wired charging, with a deadline of December 28, 2024. It is difficult for a big company to sell phones with two kinds of charging ports.
There are hints that the iPhone 15 Pro will get an Action Button, similar to the one on the Apple Watch Ultra. The button is expected to replace the mute toggle and could allow you to assign shortcuts to different apps and utilities.
As for the Dynamic Island, which was introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, it will reportedly come to the entire series.
Processor? The A16 Bionic chip should be in the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Max (it’s the same chip that’s found on the iPhone 14 Pro). The new Pro models should get the new A17 Bionic processor, which is tipped to be the world’s first 3nm chip.
Another important rumour is around the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It may get a periscope lens that will enable up to 5x-6x optical zoom when shooting photos with the rear camera. Further, titanium frame is expected to replace stainless steel on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Apple Watch
This year, the iPhone is expected to be joined by Apple Watch Series 9, which should have better specs with a chip that’s built on the same technology as the A15 chip. There will also be improved battery life. The Apple Watch Series 9 could come in pink. Will we see a new model for Ultra? Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said we may have to wait till 2024 for a big update. If a new Watch Ultra arrives, it will get a Micro LED display to improve colours and viewing angles, and a 2.1-inch screen size.
AirPods with USB-C
We are not sure if Apple will launch a new set of AirPods but tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is predicting that it could be launched with a USB-C charging case.
Later in the year, we are expecting a new iMac, a 13-inch MacBook Air, and a 13-inch MacBook Pro powered by Apple’s new in-house M3 chip. And the iPad? We may see the release of the seventh-gen iPad Mini.
