What iPhone, Other Mobile Devices to Look for at Apple Sept. 7 Event

What will Apple unveil at its annual September product unveiling? Signs point to the iPhone 7, plus possibly new iPads and Apple Watch and an updated MacBook Pro.

Apple loves using statistics to show how much better it believes it’s performing than the competition. So, expect Apple CEO Tim Cook to kick things off by talking about how many iPhones his company has sold, how many iPhones are currently in use and much more. The statistics provide the foundation for Apple executives to talk about its many other products and services.

Apple undoubtedly will announce a new iPhone at its Sept. 7 event. Although it’s unknown exactly what the iPhone will be called, Apple hinted in its media alert that it is calling the device the iPhone 7. Whether there will be just one or more new iPhone models is still unknown.

If the rumors are true, Apple is planning to continue offering both a 4.7-inch and a 5.5-inch iPhone. The bigger of the two will be called the iPhone 7 Plus. However, several reports have also said that Apple is considering launching an iPhone 7 Pro, which would come with a dual-lens camera to take sharper photos. The iPhone 7 Pro also could come with a Smart Connector, like the iPad Pro, and feature the 5.5-inch display users would find in the Plus model.

When iOS 10 was announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this year, Apple would only say it would be available in the fall. Expect Apple to announce at the event exactly when iOS 10 will be available. In years past, Apple has released the operating system a couple of days before the new iPhone—and there’s no reason to believe it won’t do the same this year.

Apple needs to upgrade the internal components in the iPhone if it wants to keep pace with Samsung, LG and other competitors. The next iPhone undoubtedly will come with an A10 processor that will greatly enhance the smartphone’s performance and graphical prowess compared to the A9 currently in the iPhone 6s line. In addition, Apple is expected to offer more RAM, deliver more on-board storage and finally include a camera that can compete with some of its Android-based rivals.

The iPad Air hasn’t been updated in nearly two years, making it ripe for an update. The tablet could use updated internal components and perhaps a nicer design. It’s unlikely Apple would offer Apple Pencil support in the next iPad Air, since it wants to differentiate that product from the iPad Pro, but the iPad line could use an update.

Rumors have been swirling for months that Apple is working on a new smartwatch. However, those same rumors said Apple would unveil the updated Apple Watch earlier in the year. It’s about time. The Apple Watch is facing strong competition from high-quality alternatives developed by mobile technology companies and traditional watchmakers alike. Apple must respond or face the (admittedly slim) possibility of Apple Watch being left behind.

Apple has a tendency to announce some, but not all, of the features in its mobile operating systems at its Worldwide Developers Conference. Given that, it’s likely Apple could showcase a new feature in its iPhone or iPad that would require a previously unannounced iOS 10 feature. Apple likes surprises, and one of the best ways for the company to shock the world is by unveiling something new in its software.

Arguably the biggest question going into Apple’s Sept. 7 event is whether the company will announce new Macs. Several reports have said Apple is readying a new MacBook Pro that would feature an OLED touch bar above the keyboard to access notifications, app information and functions. There also are reports the company wants to update the MacBook Air and Mac Pro. It’s unknown, however, whether Apple will announce the devices at its Sept. 7 event or wait until later in the year.

Over the last several years, Apple has maintained the price points on its top-of-the-line iPhones, and that’s not expected to change this year. While Apple could bump some of its storage across the iPhone 7 line, expect the device to be on sale for a starting price of $649 on the iPhone 7 and $749 for the iPhone 7 Plus.