iPhone launch occasions have typically turn out to be predictable and mundane. Lots of the {hardware} upgrades leak months (and even years) prematurely, minimizing our enthusiasm throughout the official keynote. That’s to not point out the smartphone’s maturity, and the “Apple simply re-released final yr’s iPhone!” sentiment amongst prospects. This yr could possibly be totally different, nonetheless.
Apple’s subsequent occasion, dubbed “Awe Dropping” and going down on September 9, is rumored to convey a great deal of design and performance modifications to a few of the corporate’s best-selling gadgets. It gained’t simply be recycled iPhones and wearables with barely sooner processors that no person cares about. We’re anticipating dramatic modifications to key gadgets, and I can’t wait to see what Apple has in retailer for us.
Essentially the most Professional AirPods Professional ever
Regardless that the occasion is iPhone-centric, I’m truly anticipating the AirPods Professional 3 essentially the most. Whereas AirPods throughout their early days began as very primary wi-fi earbuds, they’ve advanced into advanced gadgets over time. At this time, the AirPods Professional 2 faucet into listening to well being and provide superior audio options that actually improve the listening expertise. I can solely think about what their successors will convey.
Rumors counsel we’ll see a extra compact design that shortens the present stems. Just like the AirPods 4, the charging case may additionally put off the bodily pairing button in favor of a extra futuristic, capacitive one.
Past the cosmetics, the AirPods Professional 3 may boast stronger lively noice cancellation, which might restrict exterior disturbance much more. And like its Beats-branded counterpart, the upcoming AirPods Professional may help coronary heart charge measurements. This would supply watch-less customers with extra well being knowledge when recording exercises. Equally, it might convey pores and skin temperature monitoring and detect potential irregularities.
Foundry
The perfect half about AirPods Professional is Apple’s dedication within the software program division. Whereas the above-mentioned {hardware} perks are sufficiently thrilling on their very own, the corporate will possible supercharge them additional by way of firmware updates for years to return. For instance, the AirPods Professional 2 proceed to obtain noteworthy additions yearly, regardless of being three years previous. In actual fact, Apple may announce a helpful reside translation device for them throughout the upcoming occasion.
A Professional digicam for professionals
As a cellular images fanatic, I completely despise my iPhone 16 Professional Max’s telephoto lens. Android telephone producers have been letting their customers shoot faraway topics with 100x zoom, whereas the iPhone continues to be restricted to 5x optical and 25x digital zooms. Whereas 25x zoom, in concept, is sufficient in lots of use circumstances, the output high quality is commonly subpar. Happily, the iPhone 17 Professional might lastly handle that.
If the rumors materialize, the telephoto lens might lastly catch as much as the vast and ultra-wide ones, bumping the decision to 48MP. The change would assist reduce pixelation, particularly in dimly lit environments. It may additionally unlock 8x optical zoom, a welcome bump from 5x.
Foundry
Different rumored iPhone 17 Professional digicam upgrades I look ahead to embody the redesigned rear bump and the standalone superior digicam app. Apple already affords a Last Lower Digicam app for video recording—a Professional images app would complement it properly.
Going to the matte
I completely use darkish mode on all of my Apple gadgets, and so do many customers with delicate eyes. This, nonetheless, additionally implies that I’ve to stare at my face’s reflection each time I’m utilizing my iPhone, which may be fairly distracting. In line with rumors, Apple might repair this subject on the iPhone 17 Professional by making use of a brand new anti-reflective layer on the display screen. It may probably mimic the matte Nano Texture show choice supplied by some iPads and Macs.
Half an iPhone Fold
Different compelling display screen upgrades coming this fall may embody the growth of the 120Hz refresh charge to all iPhone 17 fashions. The characteristic—presently unique to Professional iPhones—would speed up animations and make transitions smoother.
To the “all iPhones look the identical” people, this one is especially thrilling. In the course of the subsequent occasion, Apple is anticipated to announce the iPhone 17 Air—a competitively slim version that prepares for 2026’s potential iPhone Fold debut. It gained’t be essentially the most technologically superior handset, nevertheless it actually will attraction to informal customers looking for a mind-blowingly smooth telephone.
Extra Sequence, much less SE
Regardless of being the iPhone maker’s lowest-end smartwatch, the Apple Watch SE helps many of the options supplied by its higher-end Sequence counterpart. Positive, you miss out on the always-on show, ECG sensor, and different nice-to-have perks, however in any other case you get the identical essential ecosystem integrations and health monitoring.
In September, Apple could possibly be upgrading the SE mannequin in two key methods, bringing it nearer to the Sequence watches. For starters, the Apple Watch SE 3 may lastly undertake the larger construct first launched with the Sequence 7, because the Sequence 10 and (presumably) 11 transfer onto an excellent bigger design. The shift to a wider show may additionally embody thinner bezels, contributing to a extra fashionable look.
Foundry
Apple is anticipated to bump the subsequent SE smartwatch’s processor from S8 to S11, probably unlocking extra intensive options the Sequence line has had for years. These may embody the double-tap gesture, Siri well being knowledge entry, wrist flick for dismissing notifications, and extra.
All of those boosts would make the Apple Watch SE 3 a extra tempting choice for price range prospects, because the compromises proceed to shrink.
The lacking WWDC section
Throughout final yr’s WWDC, Apple infamously made some severe guarantees it couldn’t preserve. The corporate has since realized to not overshare throughout its developer convention. As such, at WWDC25, Apple primarily solely previewed options included with OS 26.0 and kept away from revealing future perks coming with OS model 26.1 and past.
With the iPhone launch occasion possible being near OS 26.1 beta’s launch, the corporate may logically preview some main unannounced OS 26.1 options it has readied throughout the keynote. And, just like earlier years, it may additionally unveil some thrilling software program instruments unique to the brand new gadgets.
