What to expect in Apple Event 2023, iPhone 15 with USB-C, Apple Watch Series 9 and maybe some new AirPods?
Not everyone who wanders is driven by desire. Some of us will be assembling orderly in the waiting area at One Apple Park Way come Tuesday morning. At 10 AM PT on September 12, Tim Cook and his team will once again take the stage, unveiling their latest innovations in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.
Two things can be stated with confidence about the forthcoming Apple event: the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 will be prominently featured. Some aspects of this world are predictably synchronized with your smartwatch. Naturally, there has been a plethora of rumors circulating, including the aging status of a few AirPods family members.
The realm of Macs is always open to exploration as well. I believe I speak for the majority when I express the desire for more hands-on experience with the Vision Pro headset, which captivated our attention during WWDC in June.
What follows is a blend of confirmed information, educated speculation, and the wild conjectures that pique our imagination.
Apple iPhone 15
The standout announcement this time around revolves around the iPhone 15. What makes the iPhone 15 particularly intriguing is that Apple’s hand was forced in this case. It wasn’t as if the folks in the impressive glass headquarters were eagerly embracing the idea of adopting USB-C (or Thunderbolt 3, or whatever you prefer to call it). This shift can be attributed to the actions of EU regulators. Last year, the European Parliament voted to standardize ports across various devices.
Technically, these regulators granted manufacturers until the end of 2024 to implement this technology across their devices. However, all indications suggest that Apple is ripping off the Band-Aid with the iPhone 15. Among other reasons, more regional governing bodies are likely to follow the EU’s lead, driven by consumer advocacy and concerns about electronic waste. Last September marked the 10th anniversary of Apple introducing the Lightning connector, but the reality is that Lightning has never been well-received—it’s widely disliked by my colleagues, friends, and family. Even my rabbit, who has a penchant for chewing cables, doesn’t discriminate based on what’s on either end. The point is, Lightning has been problematic from the start.
An interesting twist is the report that the higher USB 3.2 data speed will be reserved for the pro models, leaving the standard iPhone 15 stuck with USB 2.0 (which is still a common specification in the world of Android).
Meanwhile, wireless charging is expected to see a boost to 35W across all models. It appears that the iPhone will be among the first phones to embrace the Qi2 standard, incorporating wireless charging with magnets—something Apple has been practicing for a while now. Given that Apple is one of the 344 companies in the Wireless Power Consortium (and all the Qi2 iPhone accessories announced at IFA), this seems like a safe bet.
Furthermore, the Dynamic Island feature, initially introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, is likely to make its way to the more affordable models.
An additional exciting development is the rumored iPhone 15 Ultra, which would replace the Pro Max while adopting Apple’s recent naming convention. This device is said to feature a 6.7-inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, slimmer bezels, and a new “Action” button, replacing the long-standing Mute button. This new button, borrowed from the Apple Watch Ultra, is also expected to grace the iPhone 15 Pro, offering various customizable shortcuts to functions like the camera, accessibility options, flashlight, and even the Shortcuts app for those who want to get creative.
Apple Watch Series 9
Speaking of the Apple Watch, the rumor mill has been surprisingly quiet in this department. This could potentially signify that this year might be a relatively subdued one for the wearable device. It’s also possible that Apple is saving its major innovations for next year, considering it will be the grand 10th anniversary. Furthermore, the introduction of a new Apple Watch SE may also be reserved for the following year.
However, it seems that a new Apple Watch Ultra is indeed on the horizon for the upcoming week. Both the Ultra 2 and Series 9 are expected to receive upgrades in the form of new processors and a broader range of color options. There have also been discussions about Apple exploring the use of 3D printing for case design, following its adoption of this technology in certain aspects of the Vision Pro headset. Nevertheless, there remains a significant question mark when it comes to implementing such advanced techniques on a large scale, especially for a mass-market product like the Apple Watch.
AirPods
The moment seems ripe for the introduction of fresh AirPods. Nevertheless, it appears that we might have to wait until 2024 for these headphones to receive the H2 chip upgrade. However, there’s a possibility that Apple might consider offering a separate USB-C charging case. On a related note, it’s been nearly three years since the release of the AirPods Max, making it a good time for an update. And while we’re discussing overdue releases, the prospect of a new HomePod mini wouldn’t be unwelcome either.
Apple Event 2023 Wonderlust
The highly anticipated Apple September event is right around the corner, promising to deliver numerous noteworthy moments that will undoubtedly become the topic of post-event discussions. Apple is poised to unveil a range of products, including the new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, Apple Watch 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and potentially even USB-C AirPods, not to mention the possibility of a new iPad mini 7.
With such an extensive lineup to be revealed during the September 12 keynote, which kicks off at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, we’ll be there to provide comprehensive coverage through our live blog for the iPhone 15 event. This coverage will include an aspect that you likely won’t encounter while watching the Apple event from the comfort of your home.
I’m referring to the reaction to the rumored price increase for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which is rumored to be as much as $200 more expensive than its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. In a still-uncertain economic climate, a potential starting price of $1,299 is undeniably a significant investment.
Allow me to illustrate this with a recent example. When Apple introduced the Apple Vision Pro at its WWDC 2023 event in June, the audience appeared generally enthusiastic and impressed by the capabilities of the spatial computer. However, there was an audible gasp from the crowd when Apple disclosed the Vision Pro’s hefty price tag of $3,500.
This visceral reaction was not evident in the live stream of Apple’s event because remote viewers were watching pre-recorded videos. I anticipate a similar scenario when Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook (or possibly Senior VP Greg Joswiak), unveils the pricing details for the iPhone 15.
