What to Expect From Apple’s iPhone 13 Event (Hint: iPhones)

Product launch season is right here, and meaning it’s about time to gear up for Apple’s annual September occasion. Like final yr, ongoing manufacturing points and provide chain woes in all probability imply we’re going to see a number of launch occasions this fall. That stated, we’re fairly certain subsequent week’s occasion will middle across the iPhone 13.

The occasion kicks off subsequent Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. Apple despatched out invitations with a cryptic tagline—this time “California Streaming”—and we’ll in all probability spend the following few days pondering what that might imply. But till then, we’ve rounded up all the pieces we count on to see subsequent week.

Will We See the iPhone 13?

Yep, there are no delays for the iPhone this yr. We totally count on to see 4 iPhone 13 fashions showcased subsequent week. As with the iPhone 12 lineup, count on to see an iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and iPhone 13 Mini. We’re additionally not anticipating numerous adjustments when it comes to show dimension, supplies, or the general look of the cellphone itself. Design-wise, the most important change we’re anticipating is a smaller notch, with some speculating that Apple will undertake the hole-punch design you see on some Android telephones. Other beforehand leaked renders confirmed the notch shrinking by virtually half. (Sorry, however the notchless cellphone we noticed in that one Ted Lasso episode was doubtless a post-production VFX error.)

Besides the notch, we’ve additionally persistently heard that the Pro fashions could get 120Hz shows that make the most of LTPO tech. (We’ve seen LTPO shows on the Apple Watch, nevertheless it basically is a extra battery-efficient show that allows a variable refresh charge.) The iPhone 13 lineup may also get a brand new, quicker A15 chip, in addition to larger batteries. It’s additionally in all probability no shock that Apple’s beefing up the iPhone 13’s cameras as properly. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted earlier this yr that the iPhone 13 will function an upgraded ultra-vast digicam and improved low-light efficiency. We’re additionally anticipating to see extra video options, together with a video portrait mode, new filters, and ProRes format for enhancing. Also attainable is a stronger magnet array (and a brand new MagSafe charger), plus assist for Wi-Fi 6E.

Another latest rumor we’ve heard is that the iPhone 13 will assist satellite tv for pc connectivity, which might allow customers to textual content and name in the event that they’re in an space with out 4G or 5G. However, that is one rumor you ought to be skeptical of. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman—one of the vital dependable Apple prognosticators—says it is a massive bag of phooey. According to Gurman, the iPhone 13 might need the {hardware} to assist this sooner or later, nevertheless it’s not one thing that’ll be introduced this yr.

The one rumor we’re not too thrilled with is the iPhone 13 lineup could also be costlier than initially anticipated. It’s unclear whether or not that’ll be true throughout all 4 fashions, or simply the 2 Pro fashions. In any case, if the iPhone 13 is pricier, you will have the worldwide chip scarcity to thank for that.

What About New AirPods?

It feels prefer it’s been 86 years since we first caught wind of the AirPods 3, nevertheless it seems like we would lastly get to see them subsequent week.

The AirPods 3 are anticipated to borrow some design options from the AirPods Pro—assume shorter stem and a smaller case. Initial predictions additionally talked about silicone ear ideas, however these had been nowhere to be seen in a number of leaked photos and renders in latest months. However, it appears that evidently’s about so far as Apple’s going. Don’t count on to see premium options like energetic noise cancellation or Spatial Audio—you’ll must splurge on the AirPods Pro for these.

It’s additionally attainable Apple will add the U1 ultra-wideband chip to the AirPods 3. iOS 15 will add Precision Finding within the Find My app for the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, and to make use of it, folks will must hyperlink the AirPods to their Apple ID. Apple’s added the U1 chip to lots of its newer merchandise, so it’s not unreasonable to assume which may prolong to the AirPods 3. (Whom amongst us hasn’t gotten down on their palms and knees looking for a misplaced AirPod?) Then once more, the U1 chip was absent from the ludicrously expensive AirPods Max, so we’ll simply must see.

Will the iPad Mini Finally Get a Redesign?

Pandemic lockdowns translated to stellar tablet sales in 2020, so it’s not shocking that Apple is eager on revamping its iPad lineup. This time round, it seems prefer it’s the iPad Mini’s flip.

Supposedly, the brand new iPad Mini will function the most vital redesign for the product because it first launched. That means slimmer bezels and no house button. We might additionally see a miniLED show, as we did with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro this previous spring. The iPad Mini can also be anticipated to be barely bigger, someplace within the vary of 8.5 to 9 inches.

Spec-wise, the Mini is rumored to getting an A15 processor—the identical because the iPhone 13 lineup. It’s additionally thought the Mini can be getting USB-C and a Smart Connector, which hints Apple’s maybe cooking up some equipment and peripherals for the machine.

What’s All This About the Apple Watch Getting Bigger?

Compared to the Series 6 and the Watch SE, there haven’t been as many rumors surrounding the Apple Watch Series 7. What we do know, nevertheless, is that just like the iPad Mini, the Series 7 will get essentially the most vital visible redesign because the Apple Watch first launched in 2015.

Leaked images and renders present a flat-edged design that calls again to the iPhone 12 (and the early iPhones earlier than that). It’s additionally rumored that the shows may also be barely bigger at 41mm and 45mm. However, it’s additionally a toss-up as as to if the Series 7 will actually launch subsequent week. Due to the redesign, Apple reportedly needed to reconfigure the inner elements as properly. That’s brought about some manufacturing points, and it will depend on whether or not Apple can clean these issues over in time. We would possibly find yourself listening to the announcement, however having to attend some time earlier than we really get to see the product. Or, like final yr, Apple would possibly find yourself holding a separate Apple Watch occasion.

As for options, don’t count on something too mind-blowing when it comes to health-tracking. While the Series 6 launched an SpO2 sensor and blood oxygen readings, this era of Apple Watch—and watchOS 8—is anticipated to focus extra on mindfulness. We do know that Apple is tinkering with numerous superior well being options down the road, however these are unlikely to debut with the Series 7. For instance, we’d heard a couple of murmurs of blood glucose monitoring for the Series 7, nevertheless it more and more seems like that received’t pan out.

Will Apple Announce New Apple TV+ Shows?

We’re completely not anticipating a brand new Apple TV so quickly after Apple launched a brand new mannequin earlier this yr with a refreshed Apple TV 4K. However, it’s actually arduous to disregard the streaming little bit of the ‘California Streaming’ tagline on the occasion invite. While that might simply be a reference to the actual fact the occasion is being live-streamed, it wouldn’t take us by full shock if Apple determined to announce some new titles for its premium TV service.

When Will We See M1X MacBooks?

We’ve been anticipating new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBooks that use Apple’s next-gen M1 chip for some time now. They’re positively coming someday this yr. It’s simply not that doubtless that Apple will tack them onto its iPhone occasion. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman contends that it’s doubtless we’ll see the computer systems someday earlier than the tip of November. As we talked about earlier, it’s more and more doubtless that Apple will maintain a number of launch occasions this fall and we count on the two new MacBooks (and presumably a high-end Mac Mini) will debut then. But then once more, that is Apple they usually at all times like to shock you with One More Thing—so who can say?

The wait is nearly over, and as at all times, Gizmodo’s complete client tech workforce can be live-blogging the entire shebang subsequent Tuesday. We’ll be prepared with sizzling takes and evaluation, together with a beneficiant serving to of chaos, so keep tuned.