Apple typically has a phrase or word tagging an upcoming products launch event. It keeps the world curious and guessing and adds to the speculation and rumours rampant just before the much-awaited day.
Apple always has a September event and this year is no different. This time it’s tagged ‘It’s Glowtime’ as is evident on the invitation and just about everywhere else. Guesses on what Glowtime could mean include the glowing Siri interface as one now asks it to keep up with other AI chatbots and answer questions or help with tasks. Another guess is that it refers to the glowing of the edges of the iPhone 16 devices. Or somewhat more unlikely, a glow on the Apple logo. Every detail available is the subject of speculation. Such as a new Apple Store opening in Sweden being indicative of the day pre-orders or availability for the next iPhone.
What is not difficult to guess is that the iPhone 16 series will be launching. The models are expected to be iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. There are some design changes being talked of: the cameras will be vertically positioned and not diagonally as on the current models. The vertical position had been abandoned after the iPhone X after which the three circle arrangement was adopted. There are thought to be some enhancements to the ultra-wide lens with better low-light performance.
The action button, so far a Pro feature, is expected to turn up on the non-Pro models and will be usable for a number of possible tasks that the user can assign. The list of such actions will expand because third parties will also be permitted to make the button usable for their software. Also reportedly coming to the entire series is a Capture button which will have multiple camera actions. The screen size is being said to increase to 6.3 and 6.9 inches.
One major hardware change is that the series 16 devices will move on to the A18 chip. This is meant to power Apple Intelligence features which are expected as this was the focus at the WWDC event earlier this year. There are rumours that Apple Intelligence features will come with software updates later on in October. Some of these related to Siri may come in 2025.
The colours on the iPhone 16 series are said to be black, white, blue, pink and green, though whether each model will get these colours and in the same glass finish remains to be seen. There is a gold that may be on the Pro models.
Also launching will be at least two versions of the Apple Watch in series 10 in regular and Ultra versions. There may be an SE version as well, geared towards kids. There will also possibly be the AirPods 4 and AirPods 3 Pro and AirPods Max 2 (Apple’s high-end headphones) launched with several advancements and design changes. There are counter rumours that the AirPods devices may launch later.
