T he big day is almost here: the annual September event when Apple launches its new raft of products, including the much-awaited new iPhone. Even if you’re not travelling to the Steve Jobs Theatre at Apple Park, you can still keep up with everything that’s going on with the world’s first trillion dollar company. From how to watch the event to what is going to be announced, here’s everything you need to know about the 2018 Apple conference. How to watch the 2018 Apple launch The big Apple launch event takes place on Wednesday, September 12 at 10am Pacific time, 6pm BST. If you want to watch the big unveiling, you can catch the live stream at Apple.com. The best way to tune in is from Safari, Apple’s own internet browser, but if you have a PC you can watch on Microsoft Edge. The live stream definitely will not be working on Google Chrome. Apple's CEO Tim Cook / Justin Sullivan / Staff / Getty What is being unveiled this year: new iPhone XS, Max and iPhone XR At the annual September event, the focus is mainly on the shiny new iPhone Apple will be unveiling. This year, we’re expected to get three new phones: the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and the iPhone XR. Leaked images, published by 9to5Mac, show the iPhone XS in a new gold colour / 9to5Mac The iPhone XS and Max are going to be updates on last year’s iPhone X, featuring OLED screens, an all-glass design, Apple’s latest processor and at least 4GB of RAM. The XR, by comparison, will be a cheaper device, with an LCD screen that isn’t as bright and will be sized at around 6.1-inches. It's likely Apple is going to remove the home button on the new iPhone devices too, signalling the end of TouchID forever. When you have facial recognition through FaceID, there isn't really the need for a home button anymore, and Apple probably isn't going to give its fans an in-screen fingerprint reader, though other companies like Samsung and OnePlus choose to keep this option on the back of the device. So with the iPhone XS and XR smartphones: goodbye thumbprint, hello face unlock. Loading.... What is being unveiled this year: Apple Watch 4 Apple still makes one of the most popular smartwatches with the Apple Watch and fans are eagerly awaiting the updated version. The new Apple Watch 4 is expected to have a bigger screen and thinner bezels to ensure you get a great display. Not only that, but rumours abound that the 4 will also have a longer battery life, enhanced health monitoring and could even have Apple’s facial recognition tech, FaceID. Will the new Apple Watch 4 have a selfie camera? (Apple ) / Apple What is being unveiled this year: updated MacBook Air Earlier this year, Apple unveiled its new Apple MacBook Pros in somewhat of a surprise announcement. But this week’s event could see us treated to details about a new MacBook Air. Rumours have been floating around for a while that Apple could release a new and cheaper MacBook Air – good news for Air fans. However, the Air was always supposed to be the lighter, cheaper model compared to the more substantial MacBook Pro. Since Apple released the OG MacBook two years ago - the company’s thinnest, lightest laptop at a mere 13.1mm and weighs 0.9kg - there might not be room in Apple’s arsenal for a MacBook Air any more. The MacBook Air hasn’t had an update in a few years and if Apple omits one again it this week, it could signal the end of the Air for good. What is being unveiled this year: iPad Pro 2018 In the iPad corner, it looks like we could be seeing a new iPad Pro this year. According to 9to5Mac, the new iPad Pro will have dramatically smaller bezels (the frame around the screen) to give you a better screen experience. It is hoped the new iPad Pro will come with Face ID though this is currently unconfirmed. If the new Pro does come with Face ID, this could also mean the end of the home button on the iPad. What is being unveiled this year: iOS 12 One of the most important announcements at this year’s Apple conference will be the release date for iOS 12. Whilst a few of the features were previewed at WWDC earlier this year, it’ll be great to know when iOS 12 will actually be arriving on devices. Updates to Apple’s mobile software including digital detox features, upgrades to Apple’s augmented reality experience, ARKit, and new Memojis. Apple's Memoji update will be coming to the iPhone this Autumn / Apple How to pre-order the new Apple products Once Apple announces its new products on Wednesday, all details will be made available on how to pre-order and buy them. It’s likely that pre-orders for the new iPhone release, Apple Watch and iPad Pro will open on Friday 10 September.<doc-sep>On Wednesday, September 12, Apple will hold its annual iPhone-centric event at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus. This year's theme is "Gather Round," the line that was on the invitations sent out to members of the media in late August. This year's event is shaping up to be quite exciting, with three new iPhones and refreshed Apple Watch Series 4 models on the horizon. Bigger displays seem to be the major draw this year, with Apple introducing both a 6.5-inch iPhone and larger-screened Apple Watch models that have smaller bezels. play 2018 iPhone Lineup Apple's 2018 iPhone lineup will consist of three devices: a 5.8-inch OLED device that's a follow up to the current iPhone X, a larger 6.5-inch OLED device that's a sort of "iPhone X Plus," and a 6.1-inch device with an LCD screen and a lower price tag that's meant to be Apple's more affordable smartphone. All three of the iPhones will feature nearly edge-to-edge designs with a notch that houses a TrueDepth Camera System, putting an end to the Touch ID Home button in Apple's flagship iPhone lineup. While the three iPhones will have almost non-existent bezels like the iPhone X, the 6.1-inch iPhone's bezels may be slightly thicker due to the LCD display instead of the OLED display. 2018 iPhone dummy models Internally, Apple employees are said to be referring to this year's iPhones as an "S" upgrade, a notation reserved for years when upgrades focus on internal components rather than design changes. "S" naming is appropriate given that all three iPhones are using an X-style design even though there are two new devices. Apple is expected to use the 7-nanometer TSMC-manufactured A12 chip in all of the new iPhones for parity in processing power. The A12 should be faster and more efficient than the A11 for faster processing times, better graphics, and improved battery life. Early benchmarks suggest the A12 is 10 percent faster than the A11. Leaked information from Apple suggests the 5.8-inch iPhone will be referred to as the "iPhone Xs" while the larger 6.5-inch iPhone could be called the "iPhone Xs Max," with Apple doing away with the "Plus" moniker that it has used since the release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. play Such a naming scheme makes some sense because the "Plus" designation has traditionally referred to phones that have features non-Plus phones do not, but it does not appear that there are differentiating features between the two OLED iPhones with the exception of screen size, battery life, and price tag. The iPhone Xs models, which will have resolutions of 2,688 x 1,242 (6.5") and 2,436 x 1,125 (5.8") according to rumors, will feature 12-megapixel dual-lens camera systems like the iPhone X, sturdy stainless steel frames, faster Intel LTE modems with support for 4X4 MIMO, 4GB RAM, and up to 512GB of storage space. Improved battery technology may allow Apple to introduce a two-cell L-shaped 3,300 to 3,400 mAh battery in the 6.5-inch model and a 2,700 to 2,800 two-cell battery in the 5.8-inch iPhone. Apple's iPhone Xs devices are expected to be available in silver and space gray like the iPhone X, but leaked images suggest Apple is also planning to introduce a new gold shade. Apple last year intended to introduce a gold iPhone X according to rumors, but was unable to do so due to manufacturing issues. Those problems have presumably been worked out this year, allowing for gold iPhone Xs models. The 6.1-inch iPhone, which we don't know the name of, will look similar to the iPhone Xs models, but with lesser features that are meant to keep costs lower. In addition to a 1,792 x 828 LCD display instead of an OLED display, this device will feature an aluminum frame instead of a stainless steel frame, a single-lens 12-megapixel rear camera rather than a dual-lens rear camera, a 2,600 to 2,700 mAh single-cell battery, up to 256GB of storage space, an Intel LTE modem with 2X2 MIMO, and 3GB RAM. We've heard some rumors suggesting the 6.1-inch iPhone's display won't support 3D Touch, but it's not clear if this is accurate. There has also been some speculation that Apple intends to use an aluminum rear shell rather than a glass rear shell, thereby not allowing wireless charging, but we believe all three iPhones will support wireless charging functionality. Glass panels for the 2018 iPhone models Faster wireless charging is a possibility for at least one of the iPhones Apple is developing with rumors suggesting Apple is working on a wireless charging coil made from copper wire instead of the ferrite polymer composite used in the current iPhone lineup. A copper wire charging coil would allow for faster and more efficient wireless charging, perhaps bumping up the 7.5W limit in the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X. Like the 2013 iPhone 5c, the 6.1-inch iPhone will supposedly come in a multitude of colors, with possibilities that include grey, white, blue, red, pink, black, and orange. The 6.1-inch iPhone will mark Apple's first real use of bright colors since the iPhone 5c. 6.1-inch iPhone dummy models in red, blue, and white, three color possibilities that have been rumored. From Slashleaks The 6.5-inch iPhone Xs Max and the 6.1-inch iPhone may support dual-SIM dual-standby in some countries like China, allowing for two SIM cards to be used at once. It's not clear if this functionality will be coming to the United States, however. There has also been a rumor Apple could include eSIM functionality in some of the devices planned for 2018, so we'll have to wait for launch to get a full picture of the SIM situation. Rumors suggest Apple's 6.1-inch "low cost" iPhone will be priced at $600 to $700, making it more affordable than the two OLED models that are in the works. The 5.8-inch iPhone Xs could be priced at $800 to $900, making it cheaper than the $999 iPhone X, while the 6.5-inch iPhone Xs Max could be priced at $900 to $1,000. Chart outlining prospective 2018 iPhone features, via Ming-Chi Kuo Some of the new iPhone models may ship with a Lightning to USB-C cable rather than a Lightning to USB-A cable plus a more powerful 18W power adapter, which would enable fast charging speeds right out of the box without the need to purchase additional equipment. While all three iPhone models are set to make their debut at Apple's September 12 event, rumors suggest the 6.1-inch model may not be available for pre-order alongside the two OLED models due to production difficulties. It is unclear if this information is accurate, but we've heard several rumors suggesting production issues for the 6.1-inch iPhone. For additional information on the three iPhones Apple will introduce next week, make sure to check out our iPhone Xs roundup. Apple Watch Series 4 The Apple Watch Series 4 is expected to feature a display that's 15 percent larger than the display of the Apple Watch Series 3, a change implemented through a reduction in the size of the bezels of the device. A larger display size will provide more room on the screen for apps and it will allow more space for watch faces. Apple is expected to introduce at least one new watch face with support for up to nine complications. Leaked image of Apple Watch Series 4 While we don't know the resolution of the 38mm Apple Watch, data found within the beta suggests the 42mm version will feature a resolution of 384x480, up from 312x390 in the current 42mm Apple Watch models. Aside from the larger display, a leaked marketing image suggests the Apple Watch Series 4 will look similar to the Series 3, with no major design changes. With no significant change in design, Apple Watch Series 4 models will continue to be compatible with existing Apple Watch bands. The Apple Watch Series 4 could include a gold stainless steel color for the first time based on the leaked image, and there have been rumors that it could potentially use a haptic side button rather than a physical side button. Other rumors have pointed towards a longer battery life enabled through a higher-capacity battery and improved health monitoring capabilities related to the heart rate sensor, but we haven't heard concrete details on what could be included. Alongside the new Apple Watch, Apple is expected to introduce a selection of new bands as it does with each major event. For more information on what we can expect to see in the Apple Watch Series 4, make sure to check out our Apple Watch roundup. AirPower Apple introduced the AirPower in September 2017 and promised to launch it in 2018, but development issues have delayed its release. Rumors have suggested Apple's updated timeline included a release in or before September, so we're hitting that deadline. We expect to see Apple's AirPower become available for purchase alongside the new 2018 iPhones and Apple Watch models. The AirPower is designed to charge the Apple Watch (Series 3 and 4), glass-backed iPhones, and AirPods all at the same time, with a wireless charging case required to enable wireless charging for the AirPods. AirPods With the AirPower, Apple is supposed to be introducing a new AirPods Charging Case that adds wireless charging to the earbuds, but because the AirPower has taken so long to launch, we're set to see updated AirPods with new features. Rumors suggest that the AirPods will see a minor update this year adding an upgraded wireless chip that supports hands-free "Hey Siri" functionality. With "Hey Siri" support, AirPod owners will be able to activate Siri without needing to double tap on the AirPods with a finger. An upgraded set of AirPods will also likely ship with the aforementioned Charging Case with wireless charging capabilities, and Apple is also expected to sell that case on a standalone basis so customers who have already purchased AirPods can upgrade to it. Existing AirPods Charging Case next to redesigned AirPods Charging Case with wireless charging capabilities No other major changes are expected for the AirPods this year, but there have been some hints that Apple is working on a set of Apple-branded high-end over-ear headphones that could launch in late 2018 at the earliest, so we may see a mention of them. Rumors on a launch date have been mixed, though, so Apple may not be ready to debut these until 2019. For more information on the AirPods, check out our AirPods roundup. Software Updates New versions of iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS have been in beta testing since June, and Apple is likely to provide golden master versions of each of the updates following its September 12 event. The golden master versions of iOS 12, macOS Mojave, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12 will represent the final version of the software that will be provided to device owners when the software launches. We expect to see Apple release iOS 12, watchOS 5, and tvOS 12 on Wednesday, September 19, two days ahead of the predicted launch of the 2018 iPhone models. Such a launch date would be in line with past software release timelines. We could also see macOS Mojave on that day, but historically, macOS release dates have varied somewhat. Additional information on all of the new features included in Apple's fall 2018 software lineup can be found in our iOS 12, tvOS 12, watchOS 5, and macOS Mojave roundups. Possibilities for September or October Several additional updates are on the horizon for Apple's Mac and iPad lineups, but in past years when there have been a slew of fall updates to unveil, Apple has held two events: one in September focusing on iPhones and the Apple Watch and one in October to focus on Macs and iPads. While it's possible Apple could unveil new Macs and iPads at its September event, we believe the company is going to wait until an October event simply due to time constraints and the sheer number of devices that are in the works for the fall. iPad Pro<doc-sep>
All The Apple Products Launching This Week [2018 iPhone Event] It’s that time of the year when Apple releases their new iPhones. But this year, we’re expecting a little more than usual. Here’s everything we expect from the company’s big reveal this week as well as some things we’re hoping for at Thursday’s event . New iPhones There’s almost no doubt the 2018 iPhone range will include three new models. The iPhone X will most likely be replaced by the iPhone XS – the name makes sense given the expected price tag is likely to tip over $2,000. It will be a point update on last year’s flagship model with the next version of Apple’s A-series processors as well as a memory update from 3GB of RAM to 4GB. Other potential new features include a third rear camera and coloured bodies (I expect that to be a feature of the lowest cost model, in the same vein as the iPhone 5c) although a rumoured gold-coloured body could be reserved for the premium models. We’re likely to also see the iPhone XS Max – a larger version of the phone which will increase the display size from 5.8-inches to 6.5-inches. The use of the “Max” moniker is a departure from the company’s use of “Plus” with previous models. The more interesting model, I think, is the lower-cost unit. Expected to look a lot like the iPhone X, this entry level model will replace the iPhone X’s OLED display with a lower cost LCD and possibly move from the stronger and more resilient stainless steel body to aluminium. 3D Touch is likely to be omitted from the new entry level iPhone. 2018 iPhone X Plus (6.5-inch) and iPhone (6.1-inch) Dummy Models. pic.twitter.com/QrgkT6u0vS — Ben Geskin (@VenyaGeskin1) July 29, 2018 With Apple’s entire laptop range now going 100% USB-C and their desktop systems also supporting the new standard, I think we can assume the standard charging cable to be USB-C on one end, with the Lightning connector retained – for now. There’s little doubt Apple will move to USB-C for the iPhone and iPad eventually, but I expect that move to be completed in 2019. The European Union has been pushing for phone chargers to become universal and for proprietary connectors to be banned. Assuming that happens, it makes sense for Apple to follow suit, rather than have EU-specific models. Apple Watch Series 4 While September is usually all about the iPhone, Apple looks like they will be releasing a substantially upgraded Apple Watch, The Apple Watch series 4 is rumoured to have a slightly larger and higher definition display as well as the ability to run more complications on the display. That points to a substantial processor boost and a commensurate increase in battery power in order to keep things running. Exclusive: Apple Watch Series 4 revealed — massive display, dense watch face, more https://t.co/Fwg5kH6dEL by @apollozac pic.twitter.com/5yrKmsK3g8 — 9to5Mac  (@9to5mac) August 30, 2018 The Apple Watch Series 3 was a relatively minor upgrade from it’s predecessor where as the Series 2 added water proofing and integrated GPS. So, it seems Apple is moving with their familiar “tick-tock” upgrade cycle where alternate product updates are either major or minor. iPad Update As reported a few weeks ago, the iPad Pro will get a substantial refresh with TouchID going the way of the dodo. This means the screen size will increase without adding extra heft to Apple’s flagship tablets. With the “basic” iPad getting an update earlier this year, and the iPad Pro likely to get a display bump as well as the latest Apple processor and some more memory in keeping with the new flagship iPhones, all that remains is for the company to do something with the iPad mini. I’m a big fan of the iPad mini form factor. It’s a great size for reading e-books and, if it supported the Apple Pencil (or the new Logitech Crayon) it could replace a paper-based notebook. If it had a bezel-less display it would also be perfect for watching movies while travelling. The current iPad mini hasn’t been updated in over three years so it’s ripe for a major refresh. But while I hope Apple will give it some love next week, I doubt it will see any. iOS 12 Will Be Released To The Public Apple has released a massive number of beta versions for iOS 12.