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Zhidong reported on September 9 that Apple's autumn conference "Highlight Moment" will be held at 1 am Beijing time on September 10, bringing the latest iPhone 16 series mobile phones, as well as major upgrades to Apple Watch, AirPods and other hardware.
In addition to the hardware, this year's conference also has an important software product - Apple Intelligence.
This is a brand new set of AI tools released by Apple in June (Apple AI subverts everything overnight!). Siri's epic evolution, ChatGPT-4o inside, Ultraman is coming, Musk is angry), including the upgraded Siri assistant, etc., the iPhone 16 series will be the first model to be natively equipped with Apple's intelligence. The English theme of the event, "It's Glowtime", refers to Siri's new interface.
Previously, Zhidong teased the iPhone 16 possible important upgrades, including a new color scheme, the largest screen in history, a new shooting button, etc. (iPhone 16 is the most powerful!) The largest screen in history, exclusive AI moves, and the buttons have been added...... ）
Today, Bloomberg reporter Gurman further predicts that the shooting button will adopt touch-sensitive interaction, similar to the shutter button of a DSLR camera, and will become the biggest highlight in addition to AI; The AirPods case will have a speaker to use Find My Location; The mid-range Apple Watch Series 10 models will have an updated look and offer a larger screen.
Without further ado, let's take a look at some of the highlights:
▲Pro版iPhone 15与iPhone 16爆料信息对比汇总
▲Comparison and summary of the standard version of iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 leaks
1. Touch-sensitive shooting is the biggest selling point, the screen of the Pro model is enlarged, and the ordinary model can shoot spatial video
与过去几年一样,苹果将推出四款新的iPhone手机:iPhone 16、16 Plus、16 Pro和16 Pro Max。
Gurman predicts that the non-Pro series of iPhones will not change much. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus look similar to the previous generation, including 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen sizes and aluminum cases. They will come with faster processors and increased memory capacity from 6GB to 8GB, helping to support features such as Apple Smart.
▲iPhone 15 Pro (Source: Bloomberg)
The regular model will come with the same Action button as the Pro model, as well as a vertically arranged rear camera, and will also support spatial video recording, which is 3D video footage that can be viewed through the Apple Vision Pro.
▲iPhone 16 rear camera layout (Source: MacRumors)
The Pro model will retain the design of the iPhone 15 Pro series, but there will be a noticeable change in the display: the screen size will increase from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches for the smaller model, and from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches for the Max version. While the screen size changes by less than 5%, the screen bezels are about a third thinner. This will give the overall look of the Pro model a sleeker look.
▲iPhone 16 Pro Max与iPhone 15 Pro Max大小对比（图源：MacRumors）
Like the previous generation Pro series, the 16 Pro model will support Apple Smart with 8GB of RAM. In addition, they will get faster chips and an enhanced neural engine, which, according to Apple, is optimized for AI.
The cameras on both Pro models will also be upgraded. The ultra-wide-angle camera has been upgraded from 12 million pixels to 48 million pixels, which is comparable to the pixels of the previous generation of standard wide-angle cameras; The iPhone 16 Pro telephoto lens will also have an optical zoom increase from 3x to 5x, in line with the Max version.
According to MacRumors, the new generation of Pro cameras may include a new anti-reflective optical coating that can improve photos by reducing lens flare and ghosting.
All models have one of the most important improvements in terms of cameras: a dedicated touch-sensitive button has been added to the right side of the phone for taking photos and videos. In addition to AI, this button will be the biggest selling point of the new iPhone.
It works similarly to the shutter button on a DSLR camera, detecting multiple levels of pressure, and the user can tap it to focus and then press hard to take a picture. The button is capacitive, and users can switch between static and video modes, as well as zoom in and out by swiping it. When the user is holding the iPhone to shoot horizontally, it is convenient to press the button in this position.
▲iPhone 16 Pro侧边按钮（图源：MacRumors）
On the outside, the new Pro model will replace blue titanium with gold titanium, and black, white, and natural colors will still be available; The non-Pro version will replace white with yellow and green, pink, and blue.
▲iPhone 16颜色爆料（图源：MacRumors）
Gurman didn't reveal more about the progress of AI capabilities, and according to MacRumors, some generative AI capabilities may be limited to iPhone 16 models. The AI features of the iOS 18 update may include improved interaction between Siri and Messages apps, auto-generated Apple Music playlists, integration with productivity apps for AI-assisted content creation, and more. The iPhone 16 models are also expected to feature a microphone with water resistance and a better signal-to-noise ratio to enhance the Siri experience with AI.
Second, the AirPods case is equipped with a speaker, which pushes the hearing health function into a hearing aid
Apple is ready to release two new AirPods to replace the entry-level second-generation headphones and the mid-level third-generation headphones. The two new versions will look similar to the AirPods Pro and include a new case, USB-C charging port, and improved audio quality.
Apple will equip the new regular AirPods with a higher-end headphone case with its own speaker, making it easier to find by Apple's "Find My Location" feature and offering noise cancellation to match the AirPods Pro.
▲AirPods (Source: Bloomberg)
A few weeks ago, Apple discovered a blunder in the upcoming AirPods that caused the headphones to drain their battery life quickly. The issue was confirmed to be related to the software and was resolved before it could be shipped from the factory.
An important new feature of AirPods is to further promote hearing health. Apple has been working on turning AirPods into an alternative to hearing aids, as well as devices that can perform hearing tests. Apple is preparing to announce an enhancement codenamed "Yodel", but it may not roll out until later due to some delays.
The new AirPods Pro are still in development, including design upgrades and noise cancellation improvements, and are expected to be available as early as next year.
The AirPods Max will come in a new color and change the Lightning connector to USB-C to comply with the latest EU legal regulations, but the update will come at a later date, possibly in late October or late 2024.
▲AirPods Max 2
Third, the Apple Watch detects sleep apnea, blood oxygen sensing function or removal
On the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch's launch, Apple is expected to update all Apple Watch models at once, including the new low-end Apple Watch SE, mid-range Series 10 and Ultra 3.
Among them, the Apple Watch Ultra will only have minor adjustments, focusing on internal upgrades rather than cosmetic changes.
The biggest upgrade will be the Series 10 model, the first cosmetic update for the flagship model since the 7th generation. Its overall design will be similar to that of the Series 9, but offering a larger screen size option, and the watch case itself will also be noticeably thinner.
▲Apple Watch Series 10渲染图（图源：MacRumors）
While iPhones, iPads, and Macs will all feature new AI features, don't expect the watch to get the main features of Apple Smart. Any AI technology is likely to be closely related to future health guidance services.
Earlier this year, Apple was forced to remove the blood oxygen sensing feature from its new watch due to a patent lawsuit with Masimo. There is no evidence yet that the feature will return in the latest watches, which may affect whether users are willing to upgrade their existing watches to a version that does not have the feature.
▲Apple Watch Ultra 2（图源：彭博社）
However, an important new health feature is coming soon: sleep apnea detection. It will build on existing sleep tracking features to determine if the wearer is suffering from sleep apnea and then recommend further examination by a medical professional. While Apple has been preparing to announce this feature, it may not be available on the first day of the new model's launch.
On the other hand, while Apple's goal this year is to add high blood pressure detection to the Apple Watch, there are signs that the feature will be delayed.
Fourth, all Mac systems have been upgraded with M4 chips, and the new AirTag and iPad will be seen next month
Apple is working on transitioning its entire Mac lineup to the M4 chip, starting with the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac. But any Mac upgrade is likely to take place at a subsequent event, not at the September one, and no sooner than October.
▲MacBook Pro (Source: Bloomberg)
In addition, although Apple has started to update the Apple TV set-top box this year, no new model has been released, and the stable inventory of the device also indicates that the new version will not be available immediately.
The new iPhone SE with an OLED display, edge-to-edge screen, and no home button is undergoing advanced testing, but its release is not planned until next year. A new AirTag is also in development, but Apple doesn't plan to release it before next year.
Apple is also working on new iPads, including upgraded mini iPads. They will be unveiled at Apple's launch event in October alongside the M4 Mac.
Conclusion: The two tech giants are about to compete on the same stage
With its fall launch, Apple hopes to prove to consumers and Wall Street that it is now a major player in the generative AI space. But in fact, the landing of Apple's smart has been postponed many times, and many key functions will not be realized until next year. Currently, the technology is primarily focused on summarizing information and notifications, rather than enabling "dazzling" interactions like other competitors' systems.
Even so, this fall update will breathe new life into Apple's products, which are at the heart of Apple's device lineup, generating about 60% of its annual revenue. Apple's finances do need such a stimulus, as it is just beginning to emerge from its longest sales slump in decades.
There are only a dozen hours left before Apple's autumn conference, and on the other hand, Huawei will also hold an "extraordinary brand ceremony" at 2:30 pm on September 10.
According to Yu, Huawei will release its "most leading, innovative, and disruptive product", which is "an epoch-making product made by Huawei after five years of persistence and investment". Many netizens speculated that the so-called "epoch-making product" may be a three-fold screen mobile phone.
Huawei and Apple, the two big tech giants will compete on the same stage tomorrow, who are you more optimistic about?
来源：彭博社、MacRumors