The next range of iPhones is set for an announcement in September, which means you might want to hold off on buying an iPhone 15 until then.
Apple is set for a glow up of sorts, it seems. A make over with new shine. That’s been the vibe for the new customisation features coming to iOS in iOS 18, but the next phones could also see Siri glow around the edges of an iPhone when you call the assistant up as part of the new look, and that is very likely the reference Apple is making with an announcement this week.
Specifically, the announcement is that on September 9 at 10AM Pacific Time — which is 3AM September 10 AEST — Apple will have a special event from its Apple Park campus.
At this time of the year, that could be only one thing: new iPhones.
What is likely coming in the iPhone 16 range?
Much like the song in West Wide Story, “something’s coming”, and we have an idea of what it will be.
Four iPhone 16 models are expected, with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus being the regular models to replace the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, while the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will replace their respective cousins in the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
We already know the AI of Apple Intelligence announced at WWDC this year will play a part, and that means a new chip for all of them: while the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max can work with this feature, the 15 and 15 Plus cannot, which means a chip update for the 16 models in line with some of the improved processor tech normally seen on the high-end iPhones.
Outside of that, you can expect some slight improvements to the cameras, possibly a new look to the rear orientation, and a change on screen sizes. These days, 6.9 inches is more the size of the big phones, thanks in part to bezels getting that much smaller (rather than the 6.7 seen on current devices), while the smaller models could also see a jump from 6.1 to 6.3 inches for much the same reason.
The action button could also very likely appear across the entire range now, replacing the mute switch and giving developers something to add a feature for, though one rumour suggests a new button is coming to provide camera-like controls on the side of the phone.
One thing we’re not expecting at the iPhone 16 launch is a super-thin iPhone. The thickness will likely stay the same, with rumours pointing to an iPhone 17 release next year adopting the super-slim approaches Apple used in its 5.1mm iPad Pro 13 model. This year, we expect the iPhone 16 Pro models to stick to the 8.25mm size it has, though Apple may be able to slim it back a little, and if that happens, you’ll probably need a new case.
There will probably be new Apple Watch models
An iPhone launch isn’t typically just an iPhone launch; there are also usually Apple Watch models there, too.
Last year saw the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, and so this year, you can unsurprisingly expect the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
What will change? We might see a new sensor or two, but we’ll definitely see a new chip, and given the Series 10 is such a big number in the range, Apple may use that to show off a new design, as well.
One model missed an update last year, and that could also see a change this year. The Apple Watch SE remains the most affordable Apple Watch in the line-up, and that could see an update of sorts, particularly as Apple moves to make its range more competitive overall.
What else could Apple announce?
There also other things Apple could announce at the glow-up event.
The standard AirPods (as distinct from the AirPods Pro) were last updated in 2021, and so a new model could easily be launched.
Three years is a long time in headphone releases, but there is actually one older pair Apple hasn’t yet updated: the AirPods Max.
It’s been nearly four years since the first and only generation of the AirPods Max arrived, and while the sound is very good, the noise processing isn’t quite where it is on 2022’s AirPods Pro 2nd-gen, while the charging mechanism uses Lightning, a port Apple has seemingly moved on from in almost every other product it makes. The world has moved onto USB-C, and Apple with it.
As such, we expect at least one AirPods model will be announced at this event, but it’s entirely possible Apple will launch new models later on, as well. The September event doesn’t have to be the last event of the year, and we don’t expect it will be.
Apple still likely has new computers on the way, thanks in part to that M4 chip it used for the iPad Pro models this year. That new chip has extra grunt likely for the AI features used in the new operating systems, and we suspect Apple will want to release new M4 computers to take advantage.
PSA: Consider holding off on Apple purchases for the next two weeks
One thing’s for sure: with the announcement set for September 10 in Australia, you might want to hold off on any Apple purchases for the next couple of weeks.
An iPhone announcement normally sends the price of current models down slightly, much like how new TV releases typically cause the current or previous year’s stock to fall in price.
If you’re thinking of buying an iPhone right now, just wait. Wait until Apple makes its announcements in September. Try to survive on the phone you have, simply because a better phone could be on the way, while the new phone you’re considering this week could be less expensive shortly after the announcement.
We’ll let you know what happens on September 10 all the same.
