Apple will host its next blockbuster event at its Californian headquarters in a few hours. Teased with the tagline It’s Glowtime, the highly anticipated showcase is widely tipped to see the $3.3 trillion company unveil four new iPhone models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Based on previous Apple Events in September, we’d expect to see confirmation of the iOS 18 release date for existing iPhone owners — although it’s worth noting that millions will miss out on its flagship new feature, Apple Intelligence, when the free upgrade becomes available. Whispers suggest we could also see a new Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra unveiled in the Steve Jobs Theatre in Apple Park, Cupertino.
We’re glowing with excitement! Monday, September 9. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/QRVyZtqXYA
— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) August 26, 2024
A refresh to Apple AirPods could also be in the works, insiders have claimed.
As with previous years, the arrival of these brand-new gadgets will likely lead to the discontinuation of several existing products. This strategy ensures Apple keeps its product catalogue streamlined.
Ahead of CEO Tim Cook taking to the stage for the It’s Glowtime event at 6pm BST on Monday September 9, insiders have identified seven key products likely to be phased out by Apple in the hours after the event. These discontinuations are likely to impact both iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.
In total, the 7 products expected to be discontinued after the It’s Glowtime event are…
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 13
- AirPods 2nd Generation
- AirPods 3rd Generation
- Apple Watch Series 9
It’s worth taking these predictions with a pinch of salt as nothing is confirmed until CEO Tim Cook makes the announcement on-stage, nevertheless, these discontinuation would align with Apple’s typical product lifecycle.
Apple only stocks one iteration of its Pro-level smartphone in the Apple Store at any one time. With the expected arrival of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, we’re likely to see the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max vanish from store shelves.
While these products may no longer be available directly from Apple …they’re likely to remain on-sale in high street and authorised online retailers for some time after the event.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max were the first models to ditch Stainless Steel from the frame in favour of Titanium. Both of these handsets, powered by the supercharged A17 Pro, will be able to use Apple Intelligence.
The incoming replacements for these handsets, iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, are tipped to ship with larger all-screen designed, potentially marking the end of the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen sizes in the Pro line-up. These Pro-grade models will continue to offer a triple-camera system, with lossless 5x optical zoom coming to both models, to further distinguish them from the standard iPhone models.
Introduced on September 24, 2021, iPhone 13 is currently the oldest model sold by Apple — and is likely to be discontinued in the latest shake-up to the Apple Store line-up
APPLE PRESS OFFICE
The iPhone 13, launched in September 2021, is currently the oldest handset still available from the Apple Store. It’s likely to be retired, with the iPhone 14 potentially taking its place at the £599 price point.
When the iPhone 13 dropped to that more affordable price point, Apple ditched its smaller sibling, iPhone 13 mini. It’s unclear whether the same fate will befall the second screen size option in the iPhone 14 range, the larger 14 Plus.
Rounding out the new iPhone line-up, we’d expect to see the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus remain on-sale at the £699 and £799 starting prices currently occupied by the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
The most affordable smartphone remains the iPhone SE, starting from £429, although these budget handsets have never launched as part of the annual September event …and analysts wager that isn’t about to change with the It’s Glowtime event.
Looking to wireless earbuds, Apple is expected to discontinue both AirPods 2nd Generation and AirPods 3rd Generation, following the launch of all-new AirPods 4 models. This fourth-generation of the Bluetooth ‘buds, first introduced in December 2016, are tipped to ship in two variants, replacing both older models.
That would make the AirPods line-up much simpler, since the current range includes different generations of various models with slightly different capabilities. While the incoming AirPods 4 might lack active noise-cancellation, the mid-range version is expected to include this feature.
Sources speaking to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurmansuggest both variants of AirPods 4 will look almost identical. The refreshed design is rumoured to blend the appearance of AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro.
That means these wireless ‘buds will have the shorter stems seen in more modern AirPods models, finally retiring the longer EarPod-style stems seen on the original AirPods and subsequent second-generation still on-sale.
The fourth-generation of Apple AirPods, which will purportedly be available at two price points with different features, will replace the entire non-Pro line-up in the Apple Store
APPLE PRESS OFFICE
Improved Find My support and Qi wireless charging for the carry case are expected to make the cut.
The It’s Glowtime event is widely-expected to see the introduction of upgraded Apple Watch models, including the all-new Series 10 and Ultra 3. These will feature larger, more efficient displays, and potentially, new chipsets.
With iOS 18, if there’s a query that Apple’s own Apple Intelligence models can’t handle, it’ll suggest sending the information to ChatGPT-4o from OpenAI. If you grant permission to share the information with ChatGPT (it will be deleted when the request has been processed) then it can process the task within the same Siri window on your iPhone
APPLE PRESS OFFICE
iOS 18, the latest mobile operating system unveiled during is annual WWDC event earlier this summer, will come pre-installed on the new iPhones, bringing customisable app icons and a new Passwords app.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Apple Intelligence, a slew of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tricks and features, will be coming in a future update to further enhance iOS 18. It will offer advanced capabilities such as real-time voice memo transcription, writing assistance for emails and documents, and webpage summaries.
GB News will bring you all of the announcements from the It’s Glowtime event as soon as the curtain lifts from 6pm on September 9. Stay tuned.