It's Glowtime: Say Hello to iPhone 16

It’s a HUGE week, Tech Squad! I’m flying to Cupertino tomorrow in order to attend the big iPhone event on Monday morning. Between the new iPhone 16 models, the Apple Watch upgrades, and even a potential plastic-wrapped Apple Watch SE 3, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s dive into the final rumors and leaks before Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event kicks off on Monday.

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iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: Fresh Features, Bold Colors

Apple’s sticking to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” playbook with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. These phones will look almost identical to the iPhone 15 lineup, but Apple’s loading them up with some new tricks.

Buttons That Do More

The Action Button—once exclusive to Pro models—is going mainstream, allowing you to customize its function for tasks like launching the camera, activating Focus modes, or opening the flashlight. With iOS 18, the Action Button will be even more powerful, letting you assign Control Center shortcuts and giving third-party apps control.

Rumors also point to the introduction of a Capture Button on all models. Located below the Power Button, this pressure-sensitive button will allow for quick photo and video capturing, with light presses for autofocus, hard presses to snap a shot, and swipe gestures to zoom or toggle between photo and video modes.

Camera Upgrades

The iPhone 16 is shaking things up by ditching the diagonal camera layout for a vertical dual-lens system, which could support spatial video for Apple’s Vision Pro headset. While the main camera isn’t getting a huge boost, expect improvements to the Ultra Wide lens with better low-light performance and the addition of macro mode for the first time on the standard models.

Under the Hood

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will be powered by Apple’s new A18 chip, built on a 3-nanometer process for better performance and efficiency. This chip will pack some serious AI and Neural Engine improvements, especially with Apple Intelligence features baked into iOS 18. Both models are getting an upgrade to 8GB of RAM, which will further improve AI tasks and overall performance.

Battery life? Expect a slight bump, thanks to a rumored battery capacity boost and more efficient OLED displays. But with all the new features, how much of that will last through the day remains to be seen.

Style and Colors

Apple’s color palette for the iPhone 16 is still up in the air, but the rumored shades include black, green, light pink, blue, and white—with the yellow of the iPhone 15 series being replaced by white. Apple’s also reportedly using color-infused frosted glass for a premium look, with the back glass contrasting with the metallic frame.

VIDEO: Apple Intelligence Features You Need To Try

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max: Bigger Displays, Sharper Shots

Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are gearing up for some serious upgrades, with both models getting a mix of display bumps, camera boosts, and performance tweaks that’ll make even the iPhone 15 feel a bit outdated.

Camera: Ultra-Wide and 4K All Day

Both models will pack a 48MP Ultra Wide lens with pixel binning that combines shots down to 12MP for incredible low-light performance and crystal-clear macro photos. That sweet 5x Telephoto zoom? It’s not just for the Max anymore; it’s coming to both Pros this year.

For video pros, the iPhone 16 Pro models may record 4K video at up to 120fps (double the current limit), with rumors swirling about 8K recording—though that’s still TBD. Apple’s also working on letting you pause and resume recordings without breaking up your footage.

Displays: More Inches, More Screen

We’re finally seeing a size jump. The Pro moves from a 6.1-inch to 6.3-inch display, and the Pro Max from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches. Slimmer bezels (around 33% smaller) will make these displays feel even bigger, with improved OLED tech boosting brightness and contrast.

Under the Hood: A18 and Qualcomm X75

Both Pros get the A18 Pro chip, with an extra GPU core for extra power. They’ll also use Qualcomm’s X75 5G modem, which is smaller and more efficient, improving 5G speeds and battery life. Oh, and those batteries? Expect a 5-9% increase in capacity, alongside the upgraded modem and new graphene heatsink tech to keep things cool.

Colors and Charging

Apple’s bringing back black, white, and natural titanium finishes, plus a new gold—possibly leaning more bronze than the usual gold. Charging rumors about 20W MagSafe and 40W wired charging might make the cut this year as well.

I Sent Messages from Space with iOS 18!

Apple Watch Series 10: Slimmer, Smarter, and Ready for Water Sports

The Apple Watch Series 10 is expected to be a aolid update, aligning with the device’s 10th anniversary.

Bigger, But Slimmer

Apple’s giving the Series 10 a size bump: 45mm and 49mm models will replace the 41mm and 45mm sizes. This slight increase is achieved through slimmer bezels and a larger casing. Rumor has it there will be a 2-inch display on the 49mm model, bringing it close in size to the Apple Watch Ultra. Despite its bigger footprint, the watch is expected to have a thinner design, making it more comfortable on the wrist.

Built for Adventure

With this new design, Apple’s also boosting water resistance. The Series 10 could be certified for high-speed water sports up to 20 meters deep, and the Depth app from the Ultra may make its way to the Series 10 models.

Smarter Sensors

On the health front, the Series 10 is getting an upgraded heart rate and ECG sensor, with a focus on sleep apnea detection. This long-rumored feature could make the Series 10 a useful diagnostic tool, potentially saving you a trip to the sleep lab. However, blood pressure monitoring didn’t make the cut this time around.

Performance Boost

The S10 chip is set to deliver a noticeable performance boost after several years of minor chip upgrades. While major Apple Intelligence features might not arrive just yet, the new chip sets the stage for future AI-driven health improvements.

Apple Watch Ultra 3: Stronger on the Inside

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is set to arrive this fall, and while it’s keeping the rugged, adventure-ready design we know, Apple’s focusing on some internal upgrades. If new health features debut with the Apple Watch Series 10, expect them to make their way to the Ultra 3 as well.

Familiar, Yet Powerful

While there won’t be a design overhaul, the Ultra 3 will pack the same S10 chip as the Series 10, meaning improved performance and better power efficiency. Along with that, any upgraded health sensors, like the enhanced heart rate monitor and sleep apnea detection, will also make their way into this beastly wearable.

So, while the Ultra 3 might not look drastically different, it’ll be stronger, faster, and smarter—keeping its crown as Apple’s go-to for extreme adventures and serious athletes.

Apple Watch SE 3: Affordable, Durable, and Maybe Plastic?

Apple’s Apple Watch SE 3 could be getting a refresh this fall, and it’s rumored to come with a twist—a plastic casing. Yep, Apple might swap out the usual aluminum for a rigid plastic body, which would be more scratch- and drop-resistant, keeping the cost down while boosting durability.

Why Plastic?

This move would help Apple position the SE 3 as an affordable option, especially for parents looking to get their kids a smartwatch for communication and safety. Plus, a plastic Apple Watch SE could come in bright, kid-friendly colors, reminiscent of the old iPhone 5c (think vibrant blue, yellow, pink, and green).

Other than the potential casing change, don’t expect any major design updates or feature overhauls. The SE 3 will likely look and function similarly to the previous SE, with the only real internal change being an improved chip for better performance.

AirPods 4: New Design, More Features, and Noise Cancellation

Apple’s cooking up two versions of the AirPods 4, both featuring a new design that blends the shorter stem look of the AirPods Pro with the current AirPods. While it’s not clear yet how the fit will be updated, expect a more snug experience.

Two Models, Two Prices

The higher-end model of the AirPods 4 will come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), previously reserved for the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. While the ANC might not rival the Pro version—since these likely won’t have silicone tips—the addition is a huge step up for non-Pro AirPods. The lower-cost model will be a direct upgrade from the AirPods 3, keeping things simple but modernized.

Pricing and Features

No official word on price yet, but speculation places the ANC version between $180 and $200, while the lower-cost AirPods 4 could hover near the current AirPods 2 price point, making them a solid mid-range option.

The AirPods 4 case will also get an update, potentially with a Find My speaker and a USB-C port for charging, alongside continued support for MagSafe.

Future-Ready

While not launching right away, Apple’s also planning to introduce hearing aid replacement functionality and hearing tests via the AirPods.

How to Watch Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” Event

Mark your calendars: Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, September 9. Here’s how you can tune in:

• Apple’s Website: Watch directly from Apple’s official site.

• YouTube: The event will be livestreamed on Apple’s official YouTube channel.

• Apple TV app: Stream the event through the Apple TV app on supported devices for a seamless experience.

Of course, I will be covering everything on my YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads channels.

What are you hoping to see announced this week?