The long-anticipated Apple early fall event is just around the corner. On September 7, executives will take to the stage at Apple Park to unveil an array of new products.
Here’s everything we’re expecting at the “Far Out” event, plus the devices we’ll likely have to wait until later in the year to see.
Apple events focus on different products
Apple has a general pattern for product announcements, which somewhat simplifies predicting what’s coming on September 7. The first fall event brings a new flagship iPhone and Apple Watch. That’s been true for years.
The details of these devices… that’s more challenging. But the tipsters have really delivered so we already know much of what CEO Tim Cook and co. will present.
But don’t think everything Apple is prepping for 2022 will be unveiled at once. A second fall event is almost certainly coming.
All eyes on iPhone 14
Mockup: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Undoubtedly, the biggest news of the upcoming event will be iPhone 14. The tipsters say there’ll be significant changes in the 6.1- and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro versions, including replacing the “notch” camera cutout with a less-intrusive “pill and hole” setup — though these might be visually combined. And they’ll also get an always-on display, an improved A16 processor, and a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera with enhanced low-light capabilities alongside 12-megapixel ultrawide and telephoto sensors.
The two standard models supposedly will stick with the screen notch and the A15 processor from the iPhone 13. But there’ll be no more mini – a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus will supposedly join the 6.1-inch iPhone 14.
The September 7 event invite has a “Far Out” theme, which could be a reference to satellite communications in the new iOS handsets.
For a fuller accounting of all the leaks related to the iPhone 14 lineup, see our recent roundup.
Three new Apple Watch models on the agenda
Concept: Ian Zelbo
It likely won’t be just iPhones we hear about at Apple’s September 7 event. New Apple Watches are also likely on the docket.
Apple Watch Series 8 reportedly will have much in common with the Series 7, aside from the addition of a body temperature sensor. A new version of the affordable Apple Watch SE might make an appearance at the Apple event as well.
But Apple’s wearable lineup is expected to grow with a new, rugged model with a bigger display, advanced fitness tracking and a titanium case. It could even have an additional button.
Check out our roundup of changes and new features coming to Apple Watch in 2022.
AirPods Pro 2 for 2022
The long wait is almost over for AirPods Pro 2, the first replacement for the original model from 2019. This is allegedly coming before the end of 2022, and the iPhone 14 launch event is a logical opportunity.
According to an unconfirmed report, the wireless earbuds will have a new design, and offer better audio. There might even be support for Apple Lossless (ALAC) format. The AirPods Pro 2 case is expected to be the first to support the Find My network so it can be tracked down with the user’s iPhone.
Apple AR headset and HomePod 2: Long shots
A couple of other products might possibly be announced at the Apple early fall event, but these are certainly not definite.
Leaks and rumors about an Apple AR/VR headset have circulated for years. It will supposedly offer both virtual reality and augmented reality capabilities. The latest info says the first model will be called Reality Pro and will be out in the first half of 2023, but Apple might pre-announce it at the September event. That’s not considered likely by any but the very, very optimistic, though.
Apple is also allegedly developing a new, large version of its smart speaker. The HomePod 2 is expected to offer better audio than the HomePod mini. Tipsters say it’ll launch in the last quarter of 2022 or early 2023, so it might be announced soon.
If one or both of these are on the event agenda, it’ll be a very busy day for Apple.
Hold on until October for second Apple event
As noted, the September 7 event probably won’t be Apple’s only one this autumn. There are more products on the way, but the company refrained in the past from making major announcements immediately after the iPhone and Apple Watch presentations.
So it’s likely we’re waiting until mid fall for 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros upgraded with M2 Pro and M2 Max processors, iPad Pro models with the M2 chip and the entry-level iPad 10.
Another reason to hold these computers is that macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 are not expected until October, and introducing new hardware with the new OSs is a logical step.
Update: We originally published this article on August 28, 2022. We updated it with fresh rumors on August 31 and September 6.
