Apple Inc. has officially announced that its highly anticipated product-upgrade event will take place on September 12th, showcasing the latest additions to the iPhone lineup and the next-generation smartwatches. With the tagline "Wonderlust," Apple is preparing to make significant updates and improvements to its devices. The event will be streamed online at 10 a.m. Pacific time and will be accompanied by a live event at Apple's Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California. This announcement comes as no surprise, as Bloomberg News previously reported the planned launch date.
This year's iPhone launch holds particular importance for Apple, as its sales have experienced a decline over the past three quarters. The company is facing challenges related to declining smartphone demand. The introduction of new products, however, is expected to help revitalize growth, especially during the holiday season, which is traditionally Apple's biggest sales period. The iPhone and Apple Watch remain the primary revenue generators for the tech giant.
The highlight of the event will undoubtedly be the unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, which will include both entry-level models and high-end models. The lower-end devices, expected to be named the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, will feature some of the capabilities present in last year's Pro models. These include the A16 chip, Dynamic Island interface, and a 48-megapixel rear camera. However, they will retain the current design.
More significant changes are in store for the higher-end models. This includes a redesigned frame that utilizes titanium instead of stainless steel, resulting in thinner borders around the screen. Additionally, the A17 processor will be introduced, utilizing the more advanced 3-nanometer production method. The use of titanium will also contribute to a lighter weight for the phones. Another notable change is the introduction of a customizable button, replacing the longstanding mute switch, a feature that has been present since the iPhone's inception in 2007.
The top-tier iPhone, featuring a 6.7-inch screen, will introduce a new camera with enhanced optical zoom capabilities. This means that the camera will be able to focus more closely on distant objects using the physical lens itself, resulting in higher-quality images. Additionally, all four new iPhone models will transition to a USB-C charging port to comply with new regulations imposed by the European Union. This marks the first connector switch for the iPhone since 2012.
Typically, Apple makes new iPhones available for preorder on the Friday following their unveiling, with deliveries to customers and stores commencing one week later. Furthermore, it has been reported that Apple plans to increase the pricing on select high-end models this year.
Alongside the new iPhones, Apple is expected to introduce updated AirPods at the event, which will feature a USB-C charging port.
Regarding the Apple Watch, the company is set to unveil the Series 9 lineup and a second-generation version of the high-end Ultra, which was introduced last year for the first time. These new models will boast faster chips, marking the first performance upgrade for Apple's smartwatch in three years. While other changes are expected to be relatively minor, new case colors will likely be among the selling points, with black being one of the tested options for the Ultra.