Apple is expected to roll out its latest iPhone 14 series smartphones and Apple Watch at a product launch event on September 7.
The online event, with a tagline “Far out”, will be live-streamed on the company's website and other platforms from its headquarters in Cupertino, California.
Apple’s press invitation depicts the company’s logo with the backdrop of different lights.
The company has held virtual pre-recorded launch events since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in 2020.
It is also inviting some people, including select media, to watch the launch at Cupertino.
Apple usually unveils the latest iPhones and smartwatches in the first half of September every year. However, the company does not officially disclose the details of the products that it is expected to launch.
The National looks at what users can expect from one of the most awaited tech launch events of the year.
New iPhone 14
Apple’s new iPhone 14 series is expected to have four devices in two different sizes, according to the latest industry leaks.
Its standard iPhone 14 will look similar to the iPhone 13, although the company will eliminate the 5.4-inch “mini” version and add a model with a 17-centimetre screen, according to market rumours.
This will mark the first time Apple launches a non-Pro iPhone with a display of that size.
The company is planning bigger changes for the iPhone 14 Pro line. Apple will replace the front-facing camera cut-out, known as the notch, with a pill-shaped hole for Face ID sensors and a hole punch-sized area for the camera. This will give users slightly more screen space.
Apple is expected to retain the A15 chip from the iPhone 13 in the regular iPhone 14 models.
New Apple Watch
For the latest watch line-up, known as Series 8, Apple is expected to add features for women’s health and a body temperature sensor.
The standard watch will look similar to the Series 7, but a new pro model will target sporty consumers. It will have a larger display, a rugged titanium case, new fitness tracking features and more battery life.
The company also is planning a new Apple Watch SE, its low-cost smartwatch, with a faster chip.
Apple iPhone through the ages - in pictures
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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 -
Mr Cook showcases the iPhone 12 Pro during an event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on October 13, 2020. This upgrade saw a faster chip, 5G speed, a "camera system that’s killer in low light. A LiDAR Scanner for more realistic AR. And two great sizes to choose from — including our largest display ever". Apple / 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
New Apple shows
Alongside new iPhones and smartwatches, Apple is also expected to tease new Apple TV shows. This move will add to the popularity of Apple's services division and aims to appease investors through showing that the company is not solely dependent on hardware for its revenue, industry experts said.
Will the new iPhones help Apple's profit margins?
The new iPhone series is expected to add to Apple's overall sales, especially in the holiday quarter, industry analysts said.
Apple, one of the world’s most valuable public companies, reported a 10.6 per cent drop in net profit on an annual basis in its fiscal 2022 third quarter that ended on June 25. Its net profit in the quarter dipped to more than $19.4 billion — almost $5.6bn less than the quarter that ended on March 26.
After selling 44.6 million smartphones in the second quarter, Apple accounted for 15.6 per cent of the global market share during the period, according to International Data Corporation.
How to watch Apple’s event
Apple’s event will start at 9pm UAE time on September 7. Viewers can tune in at apple.com.
It will also be streamed on YouTube and through the Apple TV application for the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
