Month: September 2023

Apple’s latest iPhone will almost certainly feature a USB-C charge point when it is unveiled on 12 September.

The firm’s phones currently use its proprietary Lightning adaptor, unlike rivals, including Samsung.

A European Union law requires phone manufacturers to adopt a common charging connection by December 2024 to save consumers money and cut waste.

Most new Apple products such as the latest iPads already use USB-C, but the firm had argued against the EU rule.

When it was introduced in September 2021, an Apple representative told BBC News: “Strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world.”

Lightning to USB-C adaptors are already available from other electronics brands including Amazon, and all iPhones since the iPhone 8 which launched in 2017 have supported wireless charging.

As the current iPhone 14 now looks to be the last Apple device to exclusively use it, this could mark the beginning of the end of the Lightning cable – which retails on the Apple store for £19.

It’s unclear whether this will be a global change to the product, although the tech giant is less likely to make a different version of the handset for the European market alone.

The changes are anticipated in the new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro devices which are set to be unveiled next week at the firm’s annual autumn event.

According to a report by Bloomberg news, benefits of the switch for users will include customers being able to use a single charger for iPads, Macs and iPhones, as well as faster download speeds.

The EU common-charger rule covers a range of “small and medium-sized portable electronics”, according to the EU, including:

mobile phones
tablets
e-readers
mice and keyboards
GPS (global positioning system) devices
headphones, headsets and earphones
digital cameras
handheld videogame consoles
portable speakers.
Any of these charged using a wired cable will have to have a USB Type-C port, regardless of who makes the devices.

Laptops will also have to abide by the rules but manufacturers have longer to make the changes.

According to the EU, it will save consumers “up to €250m [£213m] a year on unnecessary charger purchases” and cut 11,000 tonnes of waste per year.

We could see the iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and, maybe, an iPhone 15 Ultra.

In another sign that fall is just around the corner, Apple sent out invites for an event that’s set to take place at the Steve Jobs Theater on Tuesday, Sept. 12, where we expect to see the next iPhone and Apple Watches announced. The annual fall iPhone event has become a cultural touch point heralding the end of summer, right up there with pumpkin spice.

For months, a seemingly endless flow of iPhone 15 rumors have circulated online. Some hint at a rather straightforward round of year-over-year upgrades, while others point to the possibility of a rebranded larger Pro model called the iPhone 15 Ultra. Let’s break down everything you can expect from Apple’s fall event.

Wanderlust or wonderlust?
The event’s invite is characteristically enigmatic, showing an Apple logo made up of tiny dustlike particles. The logo has grooves carved out of it, a bit like the forms you see on windswept sand dunes.

The tagline, “Wonderlust,” is of course a play on the word wanderlust, which means a strong longing for or impulse toward wandering. Does wonderlust mean a strong longing for or impulse toward wondering? Like everyone else, we’re trying to read something into the invite and wondering what it has to do with Apple’s upcoming announcements. Could the grooved cutouts in the logo refer to a less boxy iPhone design? Could the particles refer to improved cameras capable of capturing more detail? Could the colors — metallic shades of gray, blue and even gold — be a reference to the colors of the new iPhone or Apple Watch?

Or is this all just Apple acknowledging the fleeting nature of existence? No idea. But I expect the iPhone 15 Pro will be the headliner.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
As in the iPhone 14 series, there will likely be four models in the new iPhone lineup: the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has a solid record when covering Apple leaks, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will basically be a repackaged iPhone 14 Pro without the telephoto camera or stainless steel body.

The new phones would inherit a 48-megapixel main camera and the A16 chip from the 14 Pros. On the outside, the two phones will trade their display notches for the Dynamic Island cutout that also debuted on the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.

Despite the addition of the Dynamic Island, don’t expect any other changes to the screen. Display analyst Ross Young said in a September 2022 post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he isn’t expecting base iPhone 15 models to get a high refresh rate like Apple’s Pro iPhones.

And according to a May report by ChargerLab, a battery and charging specialist website with a steady track record for rumors, all four iPhone 15 models will support 15-watt wireless charging using the Qi2 open standard announced earlier this year. If this turns out to be true, it could mean the iPhone 15 would open up a whole new world of wireless charging devices that don’t necessarily need to be licensed Apple MagSafe accessories.

See also
Apple Announces ‘Wonderlust’ Event for Sept. 12
iPhone 15: Latest Apple Rumors
Apple Watch Series 9: What the Rumors Say
But the biggest change expected for all four iPhones will be the shift away from the Lightning connector. Likely driven by pressure from the European Union, which passed legislation adopting USB-C as a common charging standard, the iPhone 15 series will have a USB-C port instead of a Lighting port. The last time Apple switched the iPhone’s power port was in 2012, when it debuted the Lighting port on the iPhone 5, which spelled the end of the wide 30-pin iPod connector that was previously used.

It’s a bit hazy how exactly Apple will handle this, like whether USB-C will be on all new iPhones globally or just in the EU. But it’s highly likely that all new iPhone models will be sold with a USB-C port for the foreseeable future.

The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
Of everything Apple’s expected to announce, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max could have the biggest changes. According to Bloomberg’s Gurman, stainless steel is gone, and instead the Pro model’s frame will be made from titanium. The shift in materials could help reduce the overall weight of each phone, which is hefty even without a case.

The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max will likely get a new chip called A17 that features a supertiny, 3-nanometer processor, Apple’s smallest silicon to date. Around the front, the two phones will likely have thinner display bezels.

The Pro models’ biggest change will be the USB-C port, which in a break from the regular 15 and 15 Plus could support faster data speeds for things like transferring files and ProRes video files.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max may get a new 6x optical telephoto camera. Ming-Chi Kuo, a noted Apple analyst with TF International Securities, predicts the iPhone 15 Pro Max will have a horizontal mounted periscope lens and camera unit inside the phone’s body, similar to ones in the Pixel 7 Pro, Galaxy S23 Ultra and Sony Xperia 1 V.

Doubling the native optical zoom from 3x to 6x should enable you to capture zoomed-in photos with better detail, resolution and dynamic range compared with the 6x digital zoom on a current iPhone 14 Pro.

Kuo’s report also hints at both Pro models having solid-state volume and power buttons, which would further differentiate them from the regular 15 and 15 Plus. The buttons wouldn’t be mechanical and would be more akin to the touch sensitive area that debuted on the iPhone 7 and acts like a “home button” thanks to some clever haptic feedback. Back in 2018, the HTC U12 had solid-state buttons instead of mechanical ones; however, the experience using them wasn’t great.

There are a couple of rumors that have been circulating despite being a bit dated or unlikely. The first is that the iPhone 15 Pro Max may be rebranded as the iPhone 15 Ultra. Bloomberg’s Gurman mentioned the possibility nearly a year ago, but that should be taken with a grain of salt since more recently Gurman hasn’t brought it up.

Another up-in-the-air rumor comes by the way of MacRumors, which found code in a beta version of iOS 17 that describes functionality for an action button like the one on the Apple Watch Ultra. Such a hardware addition would be a first for Apple, and the iPhone’s action button would be for more-phone-oriented tasks like shortcuts or triggering the camera shutter. We’ll have to wait until the 12th to find out.

Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2

In a less ambitious update, it seems the next regular Apple Watch will likely be a relatively modest year-over-year iteration of the Apple Watch Series 8. The Series 9 could come in a new color. As reported by MacRumors, based on a post by X/Twitter user ShrimpApplePro, the Apple Watch Series 9 might come in a new pink color.

The Series 9 will likely be powered by a new S9 chip, which Bloomberg’s Gurman, posting to his Power On Discord channel back in May, described as bringing improvements to performance and efficiency. That’s another way of saying the battery life might be better.

The Apple Watch Ultra could see a second-generation version. The rugged watch debuted last year, and a new version could bring a faster chip and come in a black titanium finish, according to an X/Twitter post by ShrimpApplePro. A black version of the Ultra could look amazing!

All right, let’s talk about everything else.

Potpourri and wrap-up

The AirPods case could see a new version with a USB-C connector. iOS 17 and WatchOS 10 will likely get an official release date. And I can’t imagine that Apple would pass up a chance to update everyone on its Vision Pro headset that was announced in June at WWDC.

Obviously, until Tim Cook and crew walk onto that stage in the Steve Jobs Theater and make their announcements, we won’t know anything for certain.

Commentary: A number of changes rumored for the iPhone 15 — including higher costs — may stir up gripes from customers. Apple may need to approach its September event differently to sweeten the pitch.

Apple is having its next big event on Sept. 12, and we’re expecting the company to reveal the new iPhone 15 models.

But this year, customers who want the best iPhone might be paying more than ever before. Analysts report the cost of the Pro models will be increasing by $100 to $200. Add to that the cost of new charging accessories some households will need to buy, because the iPhone’s long proprietary Lightning port is reported to be replaced by USB-C.

In this week’s episode of One More Thing, embedded above, we review the changes reported to come to the iPhone 15 that could leave some Apple fans feeling sour — and how Apple may need to spin extra marketing magic in this presentation to persuade longtime customers to upgrade.

People might feel peeved at more than just the price tag. The best camera is reported to only be on the most expensive, plus-size model. Customers may be juggling multiple cords in the home with a charging port change. A reported new side button gives pundits something new to poke at. Add to that questions looming over the future of the Vision Pro, and there is potential for more criticism at this iPhone event than previous years.

Apple teased this event with the tagline Wonderlust. But can Apple find a way to give customers a vision of future tech that is worthy of the name? In recent years, Apple executives have moved away from doing product reveals on stage in front of a live audience. Now the company will be showing us if it can still spark wonder and awe in its fan base with safe, pre-recorded presentations.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 features that would take the user experience to the next level if released.

Apple’s next major event is set for Sept. 12, and it’s likely we’ll see a new iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9 and possibly the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra. I’ve been wearing the current Ultra for almost a year, and it’s without doubt the best Apple Watch money can buy. But there are features I’d really like to see in the next version.

The public beta of WatchOS 10 previews some Apple Watch Ultra updates like topographic maps and support for Bluetooth accessories including power meter pedals. These additions go a long way to help the Apple Watch Ultra stand out as a top-tier smartwatch, though I hope we get even more safety- and sports-focused options on the Ultra 2.

Two sizes to suit more wrists
I love wearing sports and outdoor watches, but sometimes they can be too big for everyday wear. I have a relatively small wrist measuring 152mm, and though I don’t think the 49mm Ultra looks or feels too hefty, it will likely overwhelm anyone with a smaller wrist. Another size option could go a long way to opening up the Ultra’s appeal to people who want a rugged watch with a smaller case size.

The Apple Watch Series comes in a number of different finishes, so why not the Ultra? Currently, the titanium Ultra is available in only one color. Rumors surfaced about a darker titanium finish, which I think would pair nicely with the midnight ocean band Apple currently sells.

Emergency SOS via Satellite on the Apple Watch
A standout iPhone 14 feature is Emergency SOS via Satellite that lets you message with an emergency dispatcher even when you’re out of cellular range. The new safety tool has already saved lives, so it makes sense to bring it to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Hopefully, you’d never need to use Emergency SOS via Satellite, but for people who use the Ultra as an outdoors adventure watch, it would be an incredibly valuable safety feature.

WatchOS 10 supports SOS waypoints in the compass app, so you can visually see the last spot you had a cell signal. But this requires you to track back to that last location. The Ultra already has a built-in siren that can audibly alert passersby to your location, as well as fall detection and Emergency SOS that works when you have cell service. So it seems like a logical include for additional off-grid safety tools like satellite connectivity to the Ultra 2.

A built-in flashlight for extra safety
All Apple Watches have a screen-based flashlight you can turn on from the Control Center. If you’re like me and walk or run when it gets dark, it’s not as practical to have the entire screen taken up with this light because then you can’t use it to see anything else, like your workout stats. I’d love to see a built-in flashlight that can illuminate the path in front of you.

The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro series has a similar built-in LED, and it’s a valuable safety tool. You can adjust the brightness level, change the color to a red light or even strobe or pulse the light to alert others to your location.

Slimmer bezels and a new processor
A key Apple Watch Ultra design element is its flat screen. But if you use anything other than a watch face with a black background, you can see some of the bezel around the display’s edge. To really capitalize on the 49mm case size I’d love to see a true edge-to-edge display that goes right up to the case.

Like my colleague Lisa Eadiccico speculated in her Apple Watch Series 9 wishlist, I would also love to see the always-on display do more than it can now. One of the most frequent requests I get from CNET readers and viewers is help in finding a watch that can show a seconds count on the display at all times. A newer processor might make something like this possible, but that’s only speculation at this stage.

Recovery metrics to help you train better
The Apple Watch tracks a bevy of health and fitness stats like VO2 Max, sleep quality, blood oxygen levels and heart rate variability. I’d love to see the Apple Watch Ultra 2 interpret all those metrics by giving us some recovery metrics like other sports and endurance watches.

This could be as simple as guidance to help you identify if a bad night’s sleep will impact your training readiness the next day. Visually, I’d love to see something like an extra ring in the Activity app that shows if you’re ready to tackle a workout or how “charged” you are based on the previous day’s activity and night’s sleep. Maybe even throw in some customized suggestions for workouts you might want to try from Fitness+ based on your readiness.

Similar features already exist on other sports watches. Garmin has the Body Battery to indicate how your body is coping with a training routine, while Polar shows metrics like cardio and muscle load after a workout. Fitbit’s Daily Readiness Score ranks your readiness out of 100 and surfaces some workouts you might want to try depending on the score.