As Apple's September event approaches, the volume of leaks reaches a level where it's difficult to separate reliable information from mere community wishful thinking. In a week, the rumor mill will be shut down, and we'll finally see what Apple has in store for us at the end of the year. Rather than getting carried away by sensational headlines, it's best to get our bearings. Below, We ordered the expected products from highest to lowest probability.And we break down in each one which rumors have a solid basis and which ones should be taken with a grain of salt.
1. iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max range: the certainty of the event
No one doubts that the Pro models will be the undisputed stars of the presentation. These are the devices that sustain the company's bottom line during the last quarter of the year and where Apple focuses its most expensive manufacturing advancements. Leaks about them are well-established, although it's worth prioritizing what we can definitely expect to see and what might remain undisclosed.
Specifications of the Pro models (from most to least likely)
- Jump to the A20 Pro chip in 2 nanometers (Virtually certain): TSMC's development schedule aligns perfectly with Apple's. This reduction in lithography will result in a clear improvement in thermal efficiency and battery life, as well as superior sustained performance.
- Upgrade to 12 GB of RAM (Very likely): Current models are starting to fall short in handling advanced background tasks and local processing models. Expanding unified memory is a logical technical step that supply chains consider a done deal.
- Own mobile connectivity modem (Very likely): After years of internal development to reduce dependence on Qualcomm, sources agree that this year we will see a wider implementation of their own communication chips in the high-end range.
- Size reduction on the Dynamic Island (Probable): There are indications that engineers have managed to reposition components of the biometric system to occupy less surface area on the screen, although the visual reduction will be subtle and not a complete elimination of the hole.
- Main lens with mechanical variable aperture (Unlikely): There has been talk of a physical mechanism to adjust light intake and depth of field, similar to traditional cameras. However, its complex assembly and the added thickness to the camera module suggest that, if it does arrive, its release could be delayed or reserved exclusively for the Pro Max model.
2. Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4: Expected Refresh
The brand's smartwatch maintains a steady, consistent release schedule throughout the autumn. We don't expect a drastic departure from the previous generation, but rather adjustments designed to improve battery life and accommodate new internal components without increasing the watch's size.
Apple Watch range specifications (from most to least likely)
- Most efficient S-series processor (Virtually secure): The watch needs sufficient power to respond quickly to voice queries and biometric data processing without draining the battery before the end of the day.
- New fastening system for the straps (Very likely): The leaked schematics suggest a change in the latch to gain millimeters inside the case, which would allow for a slightly larger battery.
- New health monitoring features (Probable): Improvements to existing optical sensors to detect apnea patterns or blood pressure alerts, although limited to trend metrics and not to exact clinical measurements.
- Ceramic finish on the Apple Watch 12 (Probable): After several years, Apple may bring back this premium material that we already saw in previous generations.
- Design change in the Ultra model chassis (Highly unlikely): The Ultra's titanium case is commercially successful and has only been on the market for a few generations. At most, we'll see a new finish, but the exterior structure will remain unchanged.
3. Apple's first foldable phone: the star
Interest in seeing Cupertino's response to foldable devices has been fueling headlines for months. After years of rumors about a foldable phone, it seems almost official that this year will be the year we see the first iPhone with this design. The question remains: when will it go on sale, and in which countries?
Specifications of the folding device (from most to least likely if present)
- Book-style design with an internal screen close to 8 inches (Very likely): Sources agree that Apple is ruling out the small clamshell format for now and prefers a device that functions as a normal phone on the outside and becomes a compact tablet when opened.
- Internal configuration with A20 Pro chip and 12 GB of RAM (Very likely): If the company launches a device that will cost around or exceed 2.000 euros, it will not skimp on the power of the main processor.
- Hinge mechanism that conceals the central crease (Very Likely): This is the main reason why Apple has taken so long to enter this market. If they do launch it, it will be because they have achieved a panel with minimal visual distortion.
- Hidden internal camera under the panel (Unlikely): The image quality of these sensors is usually mediocre compared to traditional front-facing sensors, and does not meet the photographic standards that the company demands in its presentations.
4. Home peripherals and accessories: candidates for a secondary role
At the bottom of the probability ladder are accessories and home devices, such as a smart display to control home automation or updated versions of the smaller tablet models. These are real products in development, but experience tells us that Apple usually reserves them for press releases in October or secondary events so as not to detract from the phone's focus.
Expected specifications (from most to least likely)
- iPad mini with OLED panel (probable): Transferring the screen technology already found in higher-end models would improve contrast and power consumption in a pocket-sized device, while maintaining the conventional refresh rate.
- Apple TV 4K (likely)It's always a mystery when these types of devices will be updated. They're usually included in all the predictions, but they tend to appear very infrequently. A similar design and the addition of Apple Intelligence would be its main new features, but it might be announced later, perhaps in a simple press release.
- Smart wall or table display for home (Unlikely): A device with an integrated speaker and magnetic support to manage light bulbs, thermostats and calls, although its launch window seems to point more towards the end of the year or the beginning of the next.
- AirPods with built-in infrared cameras (Highly unlikely): Reports indicate that Apple is investigating tiny optical sensors to help headphones better understand gestures and the environment, but according to rumors, we'll have to wait until next year.
What's your prediction for the event on September 9th?