Apple announces Sept. 15 event where it’s expected to announce new products, iPhone likely coming later

Apple just announced a digital-only event on Sept. 15 where it’s expected to reveal new products.

Apple typically unveils its new iPhones during an event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, in September, but this year that may happen later, since Apple guided during its earnings that the iPhone was delayed a few weeks. It’s possible Apple also will announce the Apple Watch Series 6, a refresh to its iPad Air and other products at the event.

The event starts at 10 a.m. PT. Apple didn’t provide any additional details but will likely stream it online, as it usually does.

The invitation Apple sent to press for the event says “Time Flies” on it, suggesting the Apple Watch Series 6 will make an appearance.

Apple is expected to announce the Apple Watch Series 6. The latest watchOS 7 software supports sleep tracking and will be available for current Apple Watches, but expect that to be one highlight. Rumors have suggested it will also detect blood-oxygen saturation. Last year, Apple lowered the price of the Series 3 and made that its more affordable entry-level Apple Watch. Apple could do the same this year by dropping the cost of the Series 5 and introducing it as a more affordable option to the new Apple Watch Series 6.

Reports have suggested Apple this fall will also announce a new iPad Air that looks more like an iPad Pro, with a screen that runs from edge to edge. But it’s possible Apple will save that for an October event as it did in 2018, when it announced new iPads and MacBooks.

Bloomberg reported in August that Apple is also preparing to launch a bundle of its services that’s currently called “Apple One.” The premium bundle will reportedly include Apple Music and Apple TV+ but people will be able to pack in other services, such as the gaming service Apple Arcade and Apple News+, which provides access to several news publications. Apple may also introduce new streaming workout classes as yet another subscription bundle, according to Bloomberg.

Apple is expected to announce four new iPhones this year — two “regular” iPhone 12 models and two iPhone 12 Pro models with new designs that include sharper edges around the corners. Those may come a few weeks after this event. For reference, the new design will be similar to 2010’s iPhone 4, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a leading Apple analyst. Screen sizes include a 5.4-inch model, two with 6.1-inch screens and a big model with a 6.7-inch display, according to Kuo, who also said that Apple won’t include headphones or a charger in the box.

Bloomberg reported in April that the iPhone 12 Pro models will have three cameras and a new 3D lidar sensor that helps with augmented reality applications. That sensor first launched in the latest iPad Pro models earlier this year.

Kuo said the new iPhone models will support next-generation 5G networks, though it’s still unclear which models will also support the fastest, but limited range, mmWave 5G. You may not see faster data from 5G where you live right now, but it will become more important in the coming years as AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon roll it out more broadly.

Apple’s stock soared this year and it hit a $2 trillion market cap, the first U.S. company to do so, on Aug. 19. But Apple stock got beat up last week and had its worst day since March 20 on Thursday, when it closed down 8%. That was part of a broader slide by the S&P 500 tech sector, which closed down 5.8% on the same day. Shares of Apple were off 4.3% at midday Tuesday amid a continuing skid for tech stocks.