Apple will hold its fall event this year. In addition to iPhone 14, there will be a wave of new products unveiled this year. From what we’ve heard so far, there will be at least three more Apple Watch models and a new AirPods Pro wireless headset.
Similar to the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, Apple will hold a small offline launch event at Apple Park, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, and here’s what we’re likely to see at this year’s Apple hardware extravaganza.
iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max get major upgrades
Apple will unveil the new iPhone 14 at this September event, but I’m afraid the standard version won’t be the star of the show this year. It’s the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max that are really expected to get a major upgrade.
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are expected to come with three major new features: a customizable rest screen display (a feature Android phones have had for years); a 48-megapixel rear camera with a larger sensor; and a smaller camera cutout instead of bangs.
Speaking of openings, it was previously reported that the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will have two separate openings reserved for the camera and speaker, but when the screen is lit, the two will again form a long pill shape. However, sources have revealed that Apple will highlight a privacy indicator for the camera and microphone in the extra space between the two openings, and users can tap directly here to find out current access information for both hardware. Sources also say that Apple may optimize the Pro phone’s camera app by moving the flash and autofocus buttons to the top of the screen, with other features located directly below the apertures.
The phone will also get an upgrade to the A16 processor and could be released in two new colorways: blue and dark purple. There are also rumors that both devices will support a 30-watt charger (but the phones themselves may still not come with a USB-C port) and that the minimum memory will be upgraded to 256GB from the previous 128GB. there is also the possibility of thinner bezels and a larger battery for the Pro models. However, with so many new features, it’s possible that Apple will raise the price of the high-end iPhone.
The standard iPhone doesn’t seem to be getting too many major tweaks. The biggest change to the non-Pro model is likely to be a larger 6.7-inch screen for iPhone 14 Max. However, judging by the packaging coming out of Apple’s factory, Apple may not make the standard iPhone use the Max suffix, but rather the Plus — the last time Apple used that suffix was the iPhone 8 Plus.
Name aside, sources from noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicate that iPhone 14 (as well as the Pro and Pro Max) could get an upgraded selfie camera with autofocus. The standard iPhone 14 could also feature the same A15 processor as the iPhone 13 series phones. But Apple may not release a mini model this year, which will undoubtedly disappoint fans of small-screen phones.
Other rumors include the possibility of an iPhone with a built-in satellite module to help users communicate off the cellular network in an emergency. Rumors of a satellite module were rampant before last year’s iPhone 13 launch, and in February, satellite company Globalstar purchased 17 new satellites “to provide ongoing satellite services to potential customers” – a “potential customer” that industry insiders suspect will be a “potential customer. The “potential customer” is suspected to be Apple. The name of Apple’s “Far Out” launch this year also hints at this possibility.
New Apple Watch: Series 8, SE and Pro
Apple is preparing to launch three new Apple Watch models: the Watch Series 8, a new version of the SE, and a reinforced Pro model for extreme sports enthusiasts.
Let’s start with Series 8. The new Apple Watch will reportedly use the new S8 chip, but it won’t offer much of a performance boost over the S7 and S6 chips. Apple may not build a blood pressure monitor into this product either, but it may have a built-in temperature sensor to know if the user has a fever, and will have a built-in cycle tracking feature.
Meanwhile, the new Apple Watch SE is expected to replace the lower-priced Watch Series 3, which will also feature the S8 chip, an upgrade from the S5 chip in the 2020 SE model. Other than that, I’m afraid there won’t be many changes to the product, and the screen will remain the same as the current SE.
As for the Apple Watch Pro, sources say it will have a “nearly 2-inch screen” and will be highly impact resistant. It will also feature a “tough metal case” instead of the previously rumored rubber frame. Reports suggest that the Pro model could feature a flat-edge display with a larger 47mm bezel, larger than the 41mm and 45mm bezels of the previous Apple Watch Series 7. In addition, the new model may not fit older Watch bands.
While the first generation of Pro products may not have a built-in satellite module, future models may add this feature. There are reports that Apple is communicating internally about this option. Even without the satellite feature, the watch won’t be cheap — industry insiders expect it to cost between $900 and $999.
The new generation of AirPods Pro unveiled
Since its release in 2019, the AirPods Pro has not been upgraded. Now, nearly three years later, Apple is finally expected to unveil AirPods Pro 2 at this year’s Far Out launch.
For starters, the product may have a revised look. The new AirPods Pro could look a lot like the Beats Fit Pro — with an in-ear wingtip design and no headphone stems at all. With built-in motion sensors, this product could focus on motion tracking features.
Ming-Chi Kuo also revealed that the AirPods Pro will also support lossless audio, which is appealing to users who value sound quality. In addition, the first AirPods Pro 2 will feature Apple’s Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) – a feature that even the high-end AirPods Max doesn’t support. If the AirPods Pro 2 does support ALAC, it will be interesting to see how Apple succeeds in breaking through the limitations of Bluetooth headphones.
But several media reports have suggested that Apple may be going with a different solution. The company may instead add support for Bluetooth 5.2, a technology that uses a new decoder to improve the efficiency of audio transmission, resulting in better sound quality or lower power consumption. A recent update to the Bluetooth SIG product database suggests that Apple may adopt this technology in the AirPods Pro, which is also mentioned in the code for iOS 16.
The charging case for AirPods Pro 2 could also be upgraded. It could have a small speaker built in to make a sound when users use the “Find My” app to find the charging case. Currently only the AirPods themselves can make sounds, so if this feature is supported on the charging case, it could really make it easier to separate the headphones from the charging case.
Announcing iOS 16 and WatchOS 9 release dates
We first heard about iOS 16 when Apple announced it in June, and industry sources say that Apple wrapped up development last week and that the company could officially launch the final version of iOS 16 within a week of the iPhone 14 launch.
iOS 16 will introduce several new features, including the ability to edit and withdraw messages and customize the lock screen interface. Notifications can also be moved to the bottom of the lock screen interface, and the Live Activities lock screen plugin will be added to provide updates on real-time events, such as sports scores and takeaway progress.
Also, the battery percentage is finally coming back, but it may not be the kind of return many people think. Fortunately, Apple may have found a way to compress the percentage indicator into the iPhone 14 Pro’s status bar, but has abandoned the previous model of displaying the number side-by-side with the icon.
But several media reports have suggested that Apple may be going with a different solution. The company may instead add support for Bluetooth 5.2, a technology that uses a new decoder to improve the efficiency of audio transmission, resulting in better sound quality or lower power consumption. A recent update to the Bluetooth SIG product database suggests that Apple may adopt this technology in the AirPods Pro, which is also mentioned in the code for iOS 16.
The charging case for AirPods Pro 2 could also be upgraded. It could have a small speaker built in to make a sound when users use the “Find My” app to find the charging case. Currently only the AirPods themselves can make sounds, so if this feature is supported on the charging case, it could really make it easier to separate the headphones from the charging case.
Announcing iOS 16 and WatchOS 9 release dates
We first heard about iOS 16 when Apple announced it in June, and industry sources say that Apple wrapped up development last week and that the company could officially launch the final version of iOS 16 within a week of the iPhone 14 launch.
iOS 16 will introduce several new features, including the ability to edit and withdraw messages and customize the lock screen interface. Notifications can also be moved to the bottom of the lock screen interface, and the Live Activities lock screen plugin will be added to provide updates on real-time events, such as sports scores and takeaway progress.
Also, the battery percentage is finally coming back, but it may not be the kind of return many people think. Fortunately, Apple may have found a way to compress the percentage indicator into the iPhone 14 Pro’s status bar, but has abandoned the previous model of displaying the number side-by-side with the icon.
