Apple’s September iPhone & Watch launch plans come into view

by Jonny Evans · August 8, 2022

iPhone 14 and Apple Watch said to appear in September

Apple is expected to introduce a cornucopia of new systems and solutions in the next few months and, as is customary this time of year, the secrets are beginning to slip out.

Here’s what Apple is planning at its next big virtual launch event, filming for which has already begun and which some speculate (but it seems unlikely) may come as soon as September 6.

iPhone 14 is coming

Apple has pretty big targets for the new iPhone 14, telling local suppliers that it expects the device to sell in greater quantities than it originally anticipated and ordering up 95 million of these things, up 5%.

iPhone 14 will include two 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models, including the Pro and pro Max. The latter will boast a faster A16 chip, a much improved camera with a new 48-megapixel lens and the much discussed hole-punch notch. Available also in purple and with eSIM-only models in some markets. Production will take place in both China and India and the phone will offer extensive improvement in battery life (and a larger battery). Apple’s alleged decision to get the product onto shelves a little earlier than usual will also impact the company’s revenue in the quarter, which it has said some positive things about.

Here comes the new Apple Watch

Apple is plotting introduction of a new breed Apple Watch SE, the much-speculated about ‘rugged’ Apple Watch Series 8 Pro and Apple Watch Series 8. Expect at least 24-hour battery lifeand 41mm and 45mm models.

Available in Aluminium, Silver, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red, with a Titanium Apple Watch Series 8 Pro predicted. The latter may have a larger display and battery, and may support emergency satellite communication.

Anticipate new AirPods

Speculation currently suggests the next-generation AirPods Pro will feature a new audio processor and support for Bluetooth 5.2, both of which will improve sound and audio quality. It has been suggested the new devices may also incorporate some health-related features and Lossless+ support. These may show up next month.

New HomePod systems? Not yet

Apple is allegedly preparing to introduce an upgraded model of its original HomePod, a new HomePod mini and a smart display, according to Mark Gurman who claims at least four new smart home devices are in its labs. These include an iPad/HomePod speaker system for the kitchen, he speculates, anticipating the smart display could appear at the end of next year.

Apple’s dent reality plan

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple’s first iteration mixed reality headset will appear in next few months. There is speculation they may be introduced in September, (or at the subsequent Mac/iPad event in October), but not actually made available until early next year.

He thinks Apple expects to sell around 1.5 million of these devices, which will cost somewhere north of $2,000 each. The next big thing from Apple, the company is expected to focus on use cases, the supporting developer and services environment and high quality hardware, probably to include an M-series chip.

Apple is expected to introduce a more moderately priced second version of the product in 2025, with an AR-only solution expected in 2024. That sounds like a three product road map to me, by the way.