It’s that time of year again. Apple has asked members of the media and devotees from around the world to “gather round” for a special event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its Cupertino campus. And they will, because this year’s event, like every year, promises newer versions of the iPhone and other Apple hardware.
So far 2018 has been a pretty sparse year in terms of hardware upgrades for Apple products. WWDC came and went without any announcements about new phones or laptops or watches. The event focused instead on revamping software across Apple’s four platforms. But they did launch a new iPad and MacBook Pro at different times earlier this year. It appears that the electronics giant has most of the good stuff saved for this September event. Here’s what there is to look forward to.
New Apple iPhones for 2019
Apple is definitely going to come out with at least a couple new iPhones at the event. At the same time last year we were introduced to the iPhone 8, the 8 Plus, and the iPhone X. All signs point to an iPhone X successor being launched this year, which will feature an all-new A12 processor.
If the trends are anything to go by, the new processor is the thing to most look forward to in the new iPhones. Reports suggest the chip will boast a svelte 7-nanometer body, making it a lot thinner than previous iterations of the processor. The update could mean faster iPhones with better battery life, and maybe even enhanced AI capabilities.
Apple will take the covers off the iPhone X successor, rumored to be called the iPhone XS. Bloomberg reports that the new Apple flagship will have a 6.5-inch screen, making it the largest phone in the series. We may also get a more affordable version of the iPhone X update with an LCD screen instead of the OLED display on the higher-end model.
Apple Watch Updates
Apple announced the Watch Series 3 at this event last year, so it makes sense that the next generation of watches is around the corner. Cosmetically, the Watch Series 4 may come with smaller bezels and a larger face. This is in keeping with what the company expected to do with the phones as well.
Things are also expected to change under the hood. Health is an important focus of the device and it’s possible there are a few more sensors thrown in there to support fitness tracking. Apart from that, we might be in for longer battery life, enhanced wireless capabilities and a MicroLED screen.
New Apple iPad Pro 2019
Apple already announced some updates to its iPads in March this year. But the iPad Pro has remained unchanged through the course year. Rumors suggest that Apple will release two new iPad Pro models at the September 2018 event. Like the rest of the hardware line, the new iPad Pro’s will likely sport thinner bezels. A few renders of the devices were leaked showing one version with a 12.9-inch body, but we will have to wait and see if Apple corroborates the claim.
Upgraded TV’s, Computers, and More
Apple has always augmented profits by diversifying its lineup of hardware products. We might not get a whole new class of product this year, but there will be updates to the existing portfolio. The Mac Mini may be re-launched at the September 2018 event with a focus on professional use. The MacBook Air hasn’t had a major update in a while, but Apple might hold off until October to talk about that line of devices.
The Apple TV was refreshed with 4k streaming last year. The company may have something in store for TV users this year as well, but not in the form of a hardware upgrade. Reports have suggested that Apple has been onboarding talent to create its own portfolio of original content. We may see new TV shows being announced, with the company charging for access to the content rather than the devices.
Those are most of the big announcements expected to be made at Apple’s September 2018 event. We will back with all the highlights of what actually went down at the Steve Jobs Theater this year. You can watch the event live by following the instructions at this link.
Prateek Jose
Prateek Jose is a writer and engineering undergrad from India with an unhealthy obsession for obscure historical trivia. Conversations about absurdist fiction and the technological singularity make his day. He’s already uploading parts of his brain to servers by writing for websites such as this one.
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Apple is definitely going to come out with at least a couple new iPhones at the event. At the same time last year we were introduced to the iPhone 8, the 8 Plus, and the iPhone X. All signs point to an iPhone X successor being launched this year, which will feature an all-new A12 processor.