As we await the unveiling of the iPhone X, we already know more than usual about what’s coming down the pike tomorrow from the once-secretive Apple. Though informed rumors are typical, this year a couple of major leaks of code have provided unusual clarity in advance of Apple’s September iPhone event.
Here’s an overview of everything the company is (and isn’t) expected to announce.
Will (almost certainly)
- New iPhones: Yes, Apple has unveiled a new iPhone every September for years. But there’s a special feeling this time around because it’s the 10th anniversary of the iPhone and the event is on Apple’s new campus. And with the exception of the headphone jack dropping last year, it’s been a couple of years since the iPhone has been significantly redesigned. This year, fans are hoping for something more dramatic. That something is reportedly going to be called iPhone X, in honor of the 10th anniversary. Besides costing a whopping $1,000 or more, it’s expected to feature an edge-to-edge, 5.8-inch OLED display screen; facial recognition technology to replace Touch ID; wireless charging; animated emojis; capability for AR apps; Portrait Lighting to improve depth on photos; and more advanced video resolution and capture speeds. The main drama will be the date of availability. Reports abound that problems manufacturing the new OLED screens could cause significant delays.
- But wait, there’s more: iPhones, that is. The company is expected to also unveil incrementally updated versions of its phone. These will likely skip the naming convention of iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus and instead be called iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. They are expected to feature 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screens, respectively. Expectations here are a bit fuzzier, and frankly a bit confused because of the naming issues (many assumed the new flagship phone would be called iPhone 8). These incrementally updated devices are not expected to be dramatically different from the iPhone 7 generation but may just possibly have wireless charging.
- iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus: They go bye-bye.
- Apple Watch updates: The big news here will be a new version with cellular connectivity. The questions are around cost, availability, and LTE pricing plans with carriers.
- Apple TV update: Unveiled amid much hype two years ago, the latest version of Apple TV has failed to change the world, and Apple continues to lose market share in the streaming video category. The company is reportedly cooking up a 4K HDR Apple TV version of the gadget. Less clear is whether there will be any new announcements surrounding efforts to concoct some kind of streaming service.
- It’s a date: We’ll hopefully learn when the new iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra will be released. And we might get a firm date for exactly when in December sales for the HomePod will begin.
Won’t (probably)
- New Macs: Nein.
- New iPads: Nope.
- Apple Car: You were kidding, right?
