The countdown has begun for what is typically the biggest launch in the smartphone world. Rumours and leaks point to three models of the iPhone due to be released on September 12, when Apple plans to hold an event, for which invites have gone out. So much speculation and leaking of images goes on before an Apple event that it often leaves few surprises. The same is true this year, but there are also a few things no one is certain about. Like the invite itself. A big golden circle makes for the only graphic on the invite, with the words ‘Gather round’ accompanying it. No one knows for sure why the circle. It could denote the Apple ‘spaceship’ campus in Cupertino or it could be a hint that there’ll be a round-faced version of the Apple Watch coming or it could represent a camera lens. Or even new gold accented or gold coloured iPhones.
Whatever the gold circle is about, it is widely believed that there will be three iPhones launched. The Apple-focussed site 9to5Mac leaked images that have given people reason to believe there will be two iPhone X models. Apparently both, a 5.8-inch and a 6.5-inch OLED model will be called iPhone XS. There’s also a third iPhone expected and speculation is that it will be called the iPhone 9. Nothing radical and revolutionary has been reported to be appearing on these phones though they are expected to sell about as well as the existing models, which isn’t bad.
iPhones aside, Apple fans are also excited about the upcoming Apple Watch Series 4. Concept videos have popped up about how it would look in a round format, but chances are that it will not come out in that form factor just yet. The software used on the watch, WatchOS, will in any case bring new features even to some of the existing models. The watch is said to be coming with a more edge-to-edge display, bigger without making the watch any larger. Images have been going around of watch faces that take advantage of a larger display including more ‘complications’ to show more information. There may also be new display tech. There will be a UV sensor in addition to the sensors on board already. There are rumours too of a bigger battery and even a watch strap that adds battery life.
New iPad Pros may also be unveiled at the event. These will have extremely slim bezels, abandoning the home button and taking on many features from the iPhone X, like the face unlock (which it is rumoured will not work in landscape mode) and animojis. These will work on new A12 and A12X 7 nm chips for a much faster experience.