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Apple unveils the latest and greatest iPhone model each fall, usually to much fanfare. The event happens every year at the same time, and the anticipation for it is always sky-high. Of course, there’s a good reason for that — while the new iPhone model alone is reason enough to be excited, Apple also usually unveils other hardware, like a new Apple Watch model, and maybe a few surprises, too.
This year could be a little different. Rumors have been surfacing for months about the possibility of Apple’s supply chain being slowed. Some rumors indicate that while Apple will announce the iPhones at the normal time, they won’t be available until a little later in the year. Other rumors suggest that the announcement may be a little later in October, rather than the normal time in September. Also, along with the iPhone, we’re expecting some other announcements.
Here’s everything we expect to see at Apple’s fall hardware event, from the new iPhone 12 to a new Apple Watch Series 6.
When is the iPhone 12 release event?
Apple typically holds its iPhone events in early-to-mid September, which is rapidly approaching. But unfortunately for everyone, it doesn’t announce the actual date of the event until a short time before — and that time frame can be even shorter now that it’s a virtual event. Apple could theoretically change the date all the way up until the last moment. The iPhone 11 series was announced on September 10, the iPhone XS series on September 12, and the iPhone X series on September 14. That points to an announcement coming either September 7/8 or September 14/15 this year.
But in 2020, there’s a caveat: Apple has said that it expects to sell the new iPhones later in the year. On an earnings call, Apple’s chief financial officer said: “Last year, we started selling new iPhones in late September. This year, we project supply to be available a few weeks later.” Now it’s completely understandable that the global pandemic has caused delays in Apple’s supply chain, and with the insane number of iPhones it needs to make, a small hiccup can have a big impact.
But the question is, will Apple delay its actual unveiling as well? Or simply hold it at the usual time and push back pre-orders? There’s about an even-money chance of both. When Apple unveiled an all-new design with the iPhone X, orders were delayed several weeks from the announcement. Some supply chain-based reports point to a dual-stage release of various iPhone models based on when they’re ready in the fourth quarter.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro
The main event, of course, will be the release of the iPhone 12, which is expected to represent the first major design change to the iPhone since the company launched the iPhone X. But it may not be as different as people some want. While the device will likely swap out the rounded edges for blockier ones, like the new iPad Pro and the iPhone 4, it will probably still retain the notch.
Of course, perhaps the most important change to the iPhone 12 will come in the form of internal upgrades. The device will feature a next-gen chip, and if history is anything to go by, it will be the most powerful mobile chip ever. Not only that, but the iPhone 12 may offer a camera upgrade too, with rumors pointing to at least some of the devices including a lidar sensor. It’s also likely that all of the iPhone 12 models will have support for 5G, thanks to the deal that Apple and Qualcomm inked after years of legal disputes.
Apple is actually expected to launch as many as four iPhone 12 models — including two lower-end devices that follow on from the iPhone 11, and two iPhone 12 Pro models. The devices are expected to be called the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Max, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The high-end models may seriously step up Apple’s display game. Notably, many rumors indicate that the two Pro models will offer a 120Hz display, which will make for much smoother animations and a more responsive-feeling touch. The displays are reportedly slightly larger, but paired with shrunken bezels that keep the overall phone size the same.
Apple Watch Series 6
Alongside the next-gen iPhone, we’ll also likely get a next-gen Apple Watch. This will be the third Apple Watch model since the redesign that was the Apple Watch Series 4, and it’s likely that it will offer a similar design, if not the same one, as the previous two models. The Apple Watch Series 6 should still offer some interesting internal updates.
For starters, the Apple Watch Series 6 will likely include an updated processor. Apple may also add some extra fitness-tracking features — like the rumored blood oxygen-monitoring.
We haven’t really heard too many rumors about the Apple Watch Series 6 apart from that, and in an era of constant leaks, that usually means that there’s not much to say. We’ll have to wait and see if the Apple Watch Series 6 is really all that interesting. Like previous years, the Apple Watch Series 6 will almost certainly be available in two sizes.
It’s also important to note that current rumors indicate the Apple Watch Series 6 may end up being released through a simple press release and update to the Apple website, rather than during the iPhone event.
New entry-level iPad
Next up is the iPad, and while the iPad Pro got a refresh earlier in the year, Apple isn’t done with its big-screen mobile device lineup yet. The entry-level iPad is also expected to get an update. The device currently has a 10.2-inch screen, but the new model’s display may be as large as 10.8 inches, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Unfortunately, the device will likely keep its current design, with a home button and relatively large bezels — though considering how high-power it is, and how much you get for the price, that shouldn’t be a huge issue for most.
The device will likely get a performance boost too. According to leaks, the entry-level iPad will offer an A12 chip. That’s not a current-generation processor, but it’s still relatively powerful, and it’s a step up from the A10 that’s currently available in the entry-level iPad. Exact pricing is yet to be determined, but Kuo says that Apple will keep the price of the entry-level iPad down.
It’s also possible that the iPad will be released through a simple website update, alongside the new Apple Watch.
AirPods Studio
The AirPods line of headphones has been wildly popular for Apple, and the company is expected to capitalize on that with new models. Perhaps the most important is a new over-ear model of headphones, which will likely offer noise-cancellation and cost $350. It will rival the likes of the new Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones and the Bose Headphones 700.
When it comes to features, the AirPods Studio headphones will offer tight integration with other Apple devices, as well as the new automatic device switching that was shown off at the Worldwide Developers Conference for the current headphones. The headphones may also offer sensors in the earcups and in the neckband, allowing for automatic pausing and playing when you take them off.
As far as the design of the headphones go, they may offer replaceable earcups and a replaceable headband, which would help create a market of third-party accessories, and allow users to switch to difference accessories for things like working out.
HomePod Mini
Even the HomePod may get a refresh in 2020. The original HomePod still offers excellent sound quality, classy design, and a number of smart features — but to truly compete in the smart speaker market, Apple will need to launch a lower-cost, smaller HomePod too. The so-called HomePod Mini will have Siri built into it, and while it likely won’t sound quite as good as the current-generation HomePod, it should still offer decent audio quality for music listening.
Unfortunately, the HomePod Mini probably won’t be competitive in terms of pricing with the likes of the Google Nest Mini and Amazon Echo Dot, but it should still cost a whole lot less than the HomePod, which was $350 at launch (and got a weak reception because of it).
Everything else
We don’t expect to see much else from Apple this fall, but if the company were to release other devices, we have a few ideas of what we could see.
For starters, we could see the AirTags Bluetooth trackers that have been rumored for a while now. These tags would operate similarly to Tile trackers, allowing people to use the Find My app to keep tabs on things like their wallet and keys. AirTags may even offer AR support to help users find their things in a room.
Some rumors indicate we could see a new Apple TV with an upgraded processor. Not much else is known about the new device.
Apple is also committed to releasing a Mac with Apple Silicon before the end of the year. This, however, may not appear at the iPhone event. Instead, it’s likely that the product will be unveiled at another hardware event later in the year, perhaps in October.
We’ll update this article as we hear more about Apple’s upcoming products.
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