The leaves are changing color, and everything is pumpkin-flavored again. It also means it’s high time for a new iPhone. Apple has announced its Glowtime event will take place on Sept. 9 at its Cupertino headquarters. You can tune into the live event, streamed from inside the Steve Jobs Theater, starting at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET on Apple’s website, YouTube, or through Apple TV.
We’ll be there, in person, to report on what’s new from the next batch of iPhones. We’re expecting the iPhone 16 to debut—can you believe it’s been this many generations already? Apple’s event imagery indicates a glowing good time at its annual mobile hardware event. Let’s dive into some conjecture about what Apple plans to light up.
The iPhone 16 in brown with a removable battery
It’s been a while since we’ve touched on the iPhone 16 hardware rumors, but that’s because it feels like we already know everything there is to know about the as-of-yet unannounced hardware. We know the Glowtime event will debut the iPhone 16 family, consisting of four phones and a new Apple Watch. There may also be a refresh to the AirPods since it’s about time. Last year, the only new thing was a USB-C port, thanks to the EU’s mandate. This year, the AirPods need a refresher to reestablish their dominance, given that Samsung’s Galaxy Buds chipped off a bit of the style block.
Speaking of European regulation, it might be why we have replaceable batteries in the iPhone 16 this year. A reputable report emerged this summer about Apple working on easier-to-swap batteries to comply with parliamentary rule. Apple has until 2027 to comply, but we might see the early stages of better repairability in the series beginning with the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16 will likely have a stacked camera on the back. The base model of the iPhone supposedly switched to this variation because it makes it easier to record spatial video footage that can be viewed later through the Apple Vision Pro. We figured this out from a set of dummy units of the iPhone 16 published on the Chinese social media site Weibo earlier this month. People are buzzing about how its design harkens back to the iPhone X. What a time to be alive.
This month, we were also introduced to the iPhone 16 Pro Max in brown. It’s certainly a choice, one that Apple hasn’t verified yet. It’s never too late to turn back. With all the marketing around the “glow” of the event, it’s confusing why 1970s-era brown is the common thread. It’s supposed to be bronze-like. See it for yourself. Then, let’s see what Apple announces at the iPhone event.
10 Years of the Apple Watch
This year’s Glowtime event will mark ten years since the first Apple Watch. A banner year usually means something special on the horizon, and Bloomberg has confirmed that “Watch X” is coming. Analysts say Apple could introduce a thinner chassis and a bigger offering of Apple Watches, from 41mm and 45mm offerings to 45mm and 49mm as the standard.
The biggest expectation for the AirPods Pro 3 is that the in-ear headphones will be overhauled significantly. The AirPods 4 are also expected to get a design upgrade, although the white tip of the buds made them iconic in the first place. Apple may also spring for ANC in the affordable-tier offering of AirPods.
