Apple’s “Wonderlust” Event: Everything Expected From the September 12 Announcement
Apple’s annual fall event is almost here, and after months of leaks and rumors, there’s already a strong idea of what the company is preparing to unveil. The “Wonderlust” event is expected to focus heavily on the iPhone 15 lineup, new Apple Watch models, and several accessories and ecosystem upgrades.
Here’s a complete overview of what Apple is expected to announce.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
Apple is expected to continue offering four iPhone models in 2023, including the standard 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus.
While the overall design will remain similar to the iPhone 14 lineup, several notable upgrades are coming.
USB-C Finally Replaces Lightning
The biggest change is the transition from Lightning to USB-C. Apple is expected to adopt USB-C across the entire iPhone 15 lineup, allowing users to use the same charging cable across iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
The move is largely driven by new European regulations requiring a universal charging standard, though Apple is expected to implement the change globally.
Dynamic Island Comes to Standard Models
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are also expected to drop the traditional notch in favor of the Dynamic Island design first introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro models.
However, premium display technologies like:
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ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate
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Always-On Display
will likely remain exclusive to the Pro models.
New Design and Colors
Apple may introduce a frosted glass back on the standard models instead of the glossy finish used previously.
Rumored colors include:
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Blue
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Black
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White
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Coral/Pink
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Yellow-Green
Apple may also include color-matched braided USB-C charging cables.
Camera Improvements
The standard iPhone 15 models are expected to receive a major camera upgrade with a new 48-megapixel main sensor featuring improved low-light photography and higher-resolution image capture.
The Ultra Wide camera is expected to remain mostly unchanged.
Performance
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will likely use the A16 chip currently found in the iPhone 14 Pro lineup, along with updated Qualcomm 5G modems for improved connectivity and efficiency.
Pricing is expected to remain similar to the current generation.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
Most of Apple’s major upgrades are expected to arrive on the Pro models.
Titanium Design
The iPhone 15 Pro lineup is rumored to replace stainless steel with titanium, resulting in:
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A lighter design
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Improved durability
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A more matte finish
Apple is also expected to reduce bezel sizes and slightly curve the edges around the display.
Rumored colors include:
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Titanium Gray
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Silver
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Black
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Dark Blue
New Action Button
Apple may replace the traditional mute switch with a customizable Action Button similar to the one on the Apple Watch Ultra.
The button could support shortcuts such as:
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Silent Mode
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Camera
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Flashlight
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Voice Memos
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Focus Modes
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Translate
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Custom Shortcuts
Faster USB-C Speeds
While all iPhone 15 models will use USB-C, the Pro versions are rumored to support much faster transfer speeds through USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt technology.
Charging speeds may also improve, potentially reaching up to 35W.
Camera Enhancements
Apple is expected to improve low-light camera performance across the Pro lineup, but the biggest upgrade may be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Pro Max is rumored to feature a new periscope zoom lens capable of delivering:
- 5x to 6x optical zoom
This would significantly improve long-range photography compared to the current 3x zoom system.
A17 Chip and Performance Boost
The iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to debut Apple’s new A17 chip built on an advanced 3-nanometer process.
Benefits could include:
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Better performance
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Improved power efficiency
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Longer battery life
Other rumored upgrades include:
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Wi-Fi 6E support
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8GB RAM
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Up to 2TB storage
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Updated Ultra Wideband “U2” chip
Possible Price Increase
Multiple reports suggest Apple may raise prices for the Pro lineup.
Expected starting prices could be:
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iPhone 15 Pro — $1,099
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iPhone 15 Pro Max — $1,199
Apple Watch Series 9
The Apple Watch Series 9 is expected to focus mainly on internal upgrades rather than a redesign.
New S9 Chip
The biggest change will likely be the new S9 processor, which could bring:
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Faster performance
-
Better efficiency
-
Improved battery life
This would be Apple’s first major Apple Watch chip upgrade in several years.
Additional Changes
Rumors also suggest:
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Improved heart rate sensor
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Updated Ultra Wideband chip
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Possible new pink aluminum color
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New eco-friendly watch bands
Apple may also begin phasing out leather accessories.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
A second-generation Apple Watch Ultra is also expected.
While no major redesign is rumored, Apple may introduce:
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The new S9 chip
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Better Ultra Wideband performance
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Updated heart rate sensor
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A possible black titanium finish
Some reports also suggest the device could become slightly lighter.
USB-C AirPods Pro
Apple is expected to refresh the AirPods Pro 2 charging case with USB-C support to match the new iPhone lineup.
No major hardware changes are currently expected beyond the updated charging port.
New iPhone Cases
Apple may discontinue leather iPhone cases in favor of a new environmentally friendly material.
Rumors suggest Apple could introduce a woven fabric material branded as “FineWoven.”
Other Possible Announcements
11th-Generation iPad
Although rumors have been limited, Apple could announce a new entry-level iPad refresh during the fall season.
M3 Macs
There is also speculation that Apple may release its first M3-powered Macs later this year, potentially including:
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13-inch MacBook Air
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13-inch MacBook Pro
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Mac mini
However, reports remain conflicting regarding the launch timeline.
What Probably Won’t Launch Yet
Apple is not expected to refresh the following devices until 2024:
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iPad Pro
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iPad mini
How to Watch the Event
Apple’s “Wonderlust” event is scheduled for:
Tuesday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time
The event will be livestreamed through:
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Apple’s official website
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YouTube
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The Apple TV app
As always, Apple is expected to reveal the next generation of its flagship devices while highlighting deeper integration across its ecosystem.