Apple — one of the world’s most valuable public companies — is set to host its second major product launch event of the year on September 14, during which it is expected to roll out a suite of eagerly-anticipated gadgets.
The company is expected to announce the latest series of 5G-enabled iPhones, new AirPods and major upgrades to the Apple Watch through an online event, titled California Streaming. Held at the Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California, it will also be live streamed on the company’s website due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In April, Apple rolled out a range of products, including its long-awaited AirTag, a redesigned iMac desktop, an iPad Pro with 5G connectivity and a smart TV.
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The iPhone through the ages: Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the iPhone to the world in San Francisco, California, on January 9, 2007. It had a 3.5-inch screen and 2MP camera. Reuters -
The iPhone 3G was launched in 2008 with a faster 3G connection. It also added location services. Reuters -
The iPhone 3GS was released on June 19, 2009. It was twice as fast as its previous version. AFP -
The iPhone 4 was released on June 24, 2010. It featured FaceTime for the first occasion as well as a retina screen. Reuters -
A later release, this time on October 14, 2011, the iPhone 4S had a new dual-core processor. Reuters -
Apple CEO Tim Cook takes to the stage following the reveal of the iPhone 5 in San Francisco, California, on September 12, 2012. This was the first 4-inch screen and the phone was faster and slimmer. Reuters -
The iPhone 5C arrived on September 20, 2013 and was less expensive and very similar to the iPhone 5 except it came with colourful casing. Getty Images -
The iPhone 5s came at the same time as the 5C and introduced touch ID and a motion data processor as health and fitness apps started to come to the fore. Getty Images -
The iPhone 6 marked another double launch when unveiled on September 9, 2014. The 6 had a 4.7-inch screen, faster processor and improved camera. AFP -
The iPhone 6 Plus had a 5.5-inch screen and was $100 more expensive. Reuters -
The iPhone 6s came on September 25, 2015 with 3D touch and a camera that could shoot 4K video. EPA -
The iPhone 6s Plus is displayed at Tokyo's flagship store on September 25, 2015. Both new phones came in a new colour - rose gold. AFP -
Unveiled on March 21, 2016, the iPhone SE had the same design as the iPhone 5 and saw a return to the 4-inch screen which was preferred by some users. It was more affordable and hence lacked features such as Touch ID. AFP -
The iPhone 7 announced on September 7, 2016, said somewhat controversially goodbye to the audio jack. Reuters -
The iPhone 7 Plus had a dual camera added. AFP -
The iPhone 8 was released on September 22, 2017 and had a new glass and aluminium design, retina HD screen. Reuters -
A customer gets his hands on an iPhone 8 Plus on launch day in Tokyo on September 22, 2017. The launches also saw speakers that were 25% louder and the most powerful and smartest chip in a smartphone (according to Apple). AFP -
The iPhone X marked a decade of iPhones on September 12, 2017. It's main changes were an edge-to-edge super retina screen. Touch ID was removed with Face ID introduced. Reuters -
The iPhone XS was released on September 21, 2018 and had a Super Retina OLED screen with improved scratch and water resistance. Face ID was faster. Reuters -
The iPhone XS Max had the largest iPhone screen to date at 6.5 inches. It could handle 3 million pixels. Reuters -
The iPhone XR was slightly cheaper than the XS and came with a 6.1-inch screen. AFP -
A customer looks at the iPhone 11 at an Apple store in Dubai Mall on September 20, 2019. EPA -
A man tries out the iPhone 11 Pro in Cupertino, California, on September 10, 2019. AFP -
Midnight Green was introduced for the iPhone 11 Pro Max, while there was also a new three-camera system. Reuters -
Arriving on April 15, 2020, the iPhone SE was for budget-minded customers and was pretty much a replica of the iPhone 8. Its 4.7-inch screen felt rather on the small side compared to the big screens of its big brothers. Apple Inc. / AFP -
The iPhone 12 on October 13, 2020 introduced a new processor and a screen that offered four times better protection if dropped. Apple / AFP -
The iPhone 12 mini offered a 5.4-inch screen. Getty Images -
Apple chief executive Tim Cook showcasing the iPhone 12 Pro during a special event at Apple Park in Cupertino in October. EPA -
The iPhone 12 Pro Max was categorised as a 'legacy phone'. Reuters -
The new iPhone 13 was unveiled on September 14, 2021. It has a smart data mode which helps battery life, more 5G bands and antenna lines that use material made from recycled plastic water bottles. AFP -
Apple CEO Tim Cook showcasing the third generation iPhone SE featuring 5G and the A15 Bionic chip on March 8, 2022. EPA -
The Apple iPhone 14, 14 Plus, Pro Max and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro were unveiled during an event on September 7, 2022. It didn’t raise its US prices during one of the worst years for inflation in decades. The biggest addition was emergency calling after a car crash. Bloomberg
Apple does not confirm the names of the products it is planning to launch before official events.
But it has traditionally unveiled its iPhones in September every year, apart from last year when the pandemic delayed the launch.
Based on industry chatter and leaks so far, The National looks at what the iPhone maker may introduce to the market on Tuesday.
Latest iPhone 13 series
Apple is expected to launch three smartphones under its coming iPhone 13 series — iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The company is likely to improve night mode photography in all new phones to attract more professional users.
The iPhone 13 and the iPhone 13 Pro will have a screen size of 15.5 centimetres, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max will come with a 17cm display, according to industry insiders. This will be the second 5G-enabled series from Apple after the iPhone 12 line-up that was launched in October last year.
An economical handset to attract budget customers
Apple could launch an improved version of its low-cost handset, the 11.9cm iPhone SE, which will also have 5G compatibility as it seeks to attract more budget-orientated users.
The company launched the first iPhone SE for $400 in 2016. The cheaper iPhone has posted strong sales in emerging markets such as China and India, with the company selling nearly 30 million units in 2016. But it stopped manufacturing the handset in September 2018.
Its second version was launched in April last year at nearly $420. A less-pricey handset could help the company to increase its market share and meet its sales targets, especially as the Covid-19 pandemic hits discretionary spending.
The company, which shipped nearly 206 million iPhones last year, is expected to deliver 231 million devices this year and 240 million next year, according to investment bank Haitong International Securities.
What new tech can you expect in iPhone 13 series?
Analysts say the new iPhones will have minor software upgrades and they are not expecting disruptive features. According to popular predictions, the new iPhones could come with satellite technology to let users communicate with first responders in case of any crash incident, or any other emergency.
The iPhone 13 phones will come with low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication connectivity to allow users to make calls and send messages in areas without 4G or 5G coverage, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who closely follows the company, said in a research note to investors.
He said Apple is “optimistic” about the use of satellite technology through iPhones. The company has had a dedicated team working on this technology for several years and it has been exploring merging this with its iPhones since 2017, according to a Bloomberg report.
New Apple Watch 7
The new smartwatch, called Apple Watch 7, is not expected to get a major software update, but will see some hardware changes. It is expected to come with flatter edges and larger displays of 41 millimetres and 44mm, nearly 1mm more than the Apple Watch 6 variants.
The next major health upgrade in the form of a body temperature sensor is likely to be added in the smartwatch next year, according to a Bloomberg report.
How do I watch the event?
Apple’s event will start at 9pm UAE time on Tuesday. Viewers can tune in through apple.com
You can also watch the event on YouTube and through the Apple TV application on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
When can consumers buy new Apple products?
Industry experts predict that consumers will be able to place pre-orders for new Apple products from September 17, and expect deliveries by the end of this month. Early excitement could help the iPhone maker boost its sales during the US Thanksgiving and holiday shopping season, since it will have enough time to distribute its devices by then.
