Apple is about to unveil the iPhone 16 and a host of other eye-catching devices at its first must-watch event of the year.
More than just another product launch, the show is a glimpse into how Apple plans to integrate cutting-edge artificial intelligence into everyday life, enhancing everything from photography to personal assistance.
Sure, Samsung and Google may have got there first with their AI tricks, but when Apple steps in, everyone pays attention.
Whether you're a tech buff or just curious about upgrading, here’s everything you need to know about the big event, including how to tune in live.
When is it?
Apple has taken to calling the event "It's Glowtime", which could be a nod to the halo-like shine that appears around the iPhone when Siri is activated (as glimpsed in the latest iOS 18 beta).
The event will take place on September 9, 2024, at 6pm BST (1pm ET, 10am PT).
It will be held at the Steve Jobs Theatre (named in honour of Apple’s co-founder and former CEO), at the firm’s Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California.
How to watch it live
This sleek auditorium has served as the venue for Apple’s major product launches and press events since its opening in 2017.
While in-person attendance is limited to staff, partners, and media, the event will once again be livestreamed for everyone else to enjoy.
You can watch it live on September 9 from 6pm in the UK on the following platforms:
Apple's Official Website: The livestream will be available directly on Apple's event page.
YouTube: The event will also be streamed live on Apple's official YouTube channel, where a countdown has already begun (see the video below).
Apple TV App: If you have the Apple TV app on your device, you can watch the event there as well.
Apple's iPhone 16 keynote will once again be pre-recorded, sticking with the glossy, curated format we've seen in recent years.
This lets Apple keep everything perfectly polished, avoiding the chaos of live broadcasts — no chance of surprise hiccups, awkward moments, or tech fails here.
What to expect?
Apple is expected to launch several products at the upcoming event, including a new iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch.
iPhone 16 with new processors
The star of the show will be the new iPhone 16 range, featuring four models in total. This year, the biggest upgrade to the base iPhone 16 will be a new chip (the A18) and more memory (8GB of RAM vs 6B previously) to handle the new generative AI features included in iOS 18.
A new look camera
The iPhone 16 lineup is getting a fresh coat of paint with new colors and a slightly updated design from the back. If the leaked dummy units are anything to go by, the camera setup will go vertical again (just like the iPhone 12 and iPhone X), ditching the diagonal layout we’ve seen since the iPhone 13.
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This should enhance the spatial videos you capture in landscape mode, making those shots look extra slick when viewed on the Apple Vision Pro headset (if you’re among the handful of people who actually own one).
All iPhone 16 models are also tipped to sport a customisable action button, poached from the iPhone 15 Pros (replacing the mute switch), alongside a dedicated camera capture button for photography enthusiasts.
Go big or go home
In recent years, Apple has saved the biggest upgrades for its pricier Pro devices, and the iPhone 16 is no different.
The premium handsets are getting the biggest screens, beefier A18 Pro chips, better cameras (with two 48-megapixel lenses, and a third 12-megapixel snapper) and the biggest batteries. They may also gain the 5x tetraprism telephoto lenses that are currently limited to the uber-premium 15 Pro Max.
In fact, the top-of-the-range iPhone 16 Pro Max could feature a 6.9-inch display, making it the biggest phone you can buy outside of a foldable. It could even eke out the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s massive 6.8-inch display.
A bigger Apple Watch
It wouldn’t be a major Apple event without the company’s popular smartwatch. Marking its tenth birthday, the Apple Watch Series 10 (or X) could feature a model with a larger 49mm screen – similar to the Ultra model – and a thinner design.
A new chip will power it, potentially paving the way for future AI perks. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also on the horizon (keeping the same design, but adding the chip from the Series 10), though it may not launch at the event, per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Both models may offer larger displays and new health features, with sleep apnea detection expected to be the headline update. In addition, a new Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen) could debut with a lower-cost design, possibly switching from aluminium to rigid plastic to compete with budget-friendly alternatives.
AirPods 4
Apple is also set to refresh its AirPods lineup with two new models, poised to replace the current second and third-gen versions. The new design is rumoured to be a mashup of its existing standard and Pro buds, sporting shorter stems but without the replaceable tips of the Pro models.
For those looking for more premium features, the higher-end model will include active noise cancellation, previously only available on the Pro versions. Both will come with a USB-C charging case, keeping things future-proof. The pricier model's case may even have built-in speakers, making it easier to track down via Apple’s Find My tech.
Finally, Gurman reckons Apple could squeeze in the AirPods Max 2 as well. The second-gen over-ear headphones will boast better noise cancellation, adaptive audio (which dynamically changes the volume based on your environment), and USB-C.
