The countdown is almost over—Apple’s much-anticipated special event, featuring the iPhone 16 and other innovations, is just hours away. In the last few moments, some exciting last-minute rumors have surfaced, offering fresh insights about the iPhone 16, its accessories, AirPods, and more as we gear up for today’s announcements.
Camera Enhancements of the iPhone 16
This past Friday, we detailed several anticipated camera advancements set to debut with the iPhone 16 Pro this year. Here are the noteworthy features:
- 4K video recording capabilities at 120 frames per second
- ProRes 4K video recording supported when connected to external storage
- 4K recording available during QuickTake
- JPEG-XL format support for lossy and lossless image capture
- Ability to pause and resume video recording in the Camera app
- A feature that removes wind noise from video footage
Moreover, it’s been confirmed that the new Capture button on the iPhone 16 will be compatible with third-party camera applications alongside Apple’s own Camera app.
iPhone 16 Accessories
This weekend brought forth a leaked image showcasing six color options for the iPhone 16 cases. These new cases are reportedly crafted from innovative materials and are intended as a replacement for the frequently criticized FineWoven cases introduced with the iPhone 15.
- Black
- Blue
- Dark Purple
- Green
- Light Gray
- Taupe
Additionally, Apple is working on a seamless design for its cases to accommodate the Capture button, rather than just featuring a simple cutout.
No Apple Watch Ultra 3 Announcement
Reports by Mark Gurman suggest that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 will not be unveiled at today’s event. Instead, Apple is expected to launch a new black variant of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Introducing the Apple Watch Series 10
In our last update, we shared some exciting new features for the Apple Watch Series 10. Besides larger displays, this new generation will come equipped with an upgraded ECG/heart rate sensor to deliver more precise readings. Enhanced water resistance is also on the docket for this model.
Apple will introduce new watch faces designed to utilize the larger display of the Series 10, including one called “Reflections,” which will dynamically respond to surrounding light conditions.
Furthermore, Bloomberg reports that the Apple Watch Series 10 may include sleep apnea detection; however, this feature might not be ready for the initial launch and could be rolled out in a future software update. Apple also aimed to implement hypertension tracking in this model, although this feature has been postponed.
EarPods Update
According to social media reports from Aaron Perris, Target has labeled all three models of Apple’s EarPods as “Non-Carry Forward.” This could indicate a potential discontinuation of the wired EarPods, or it may simply reflect Target’s decision to reduce stock.
New Software Releases: iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and More
Today’s event will also unveil the release dates for Apple’s upcoming software updates, including iOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, iPadOS 18, and visionOS 2.
macOS Sequoia is expected to hit the public earlier than usual this year, with reports from MacRumors indicating a mid-September release, which is notably earlier than last year’s macOS Sonoma, which launched on September 26. In previous years, Apple often rolled out macOS updates in October or November following the September debut of iOS.
No New iPads or Macs Today
If you were hoping for new iPad or Mac announcements at today’s event, it looks like you’ll need to hold out a bit longer. According to Bloomberg, another special Apple event is on the horizon for October, which will feature updates on products like the Mac mini, iMac, MacBook Pro, and iPad mini, among others.
AirPods Max 2 Announcement
In an unexpected twist, Mark Gurman has indicated that we can expect the unveiling of AirPods Max 2 at today’s event. Initial rumors suggested minimal changes, focusing mainly on a switch to USB-C charging and introducing new color options. However, it seems Apple has more significant updates in store.
Reported upgrades for AirPods Max 2 include enhanced noise cancellation, USB-C connectivity, and support for adaptive audio.
iPhone 16 Speculations
Lastly, Gurman’s latest update suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro will maintain its initial starting price of $999, countering previous expectations of a $100 price increase. He also confirmed that we can anticipate significant improvements in battery performance.
