Looking at the rumors around Apple's 'iPhone 9,' 'iPhone Xs,' AirPower and more

With Apple's September Event only a few days away, AppleInsider discusses everything including iPhones, iOS 12, AirPower, and budget MacBooks are either expected or rumored to debut.

Let's go through everything anticipated to be in the pipeline and whether we're likely see them released at the event next week, within a couple months or sometime in 2019.

The main event: iPhones

First of all, there's a reason why many call Apple's gathering the iPhone event. New iPhones have been released at the September media event for the past six years. There's also been quite a few leaks from Apple parts suppliers, and even Apple itself.

Just a few days ago, Apple inadvertently leaked images of what is believed to be the next-generation iPhone, now sporting a new gold frame. 9to5Mac shared those images, saying the device will likely be called the iPhone XS.

There have been a number of leaks pointing to a cheaper 6.1-inch LCD model as well, a device rumored to pack a TrueDepth notch for Face ID authentication, just like the higher-end OLED models.

Apple Watch Series 4

The Apple Watch Series 4 has been rumored for quite a while, and an image of the supposed device was discovered alongside the iPhone XS leak, hinting that both products could be released at the same time.

Since the Series 1, 2 and 3 were released at Apple's September Events, it's almost guaranteed that the new Series 4 will be announced on the 12th.

Operating Systems

This one may be completely obvious, but we're almost 100% guaranteed to see the release of macOS Mojave, iOS 12, tvOS 12 and watchOS 5 at Apple's upcoming event on the 12th.

The software will be available as free updates, but only if your hardware supports it. For example, the original Series 0 Apple Watch won't support WatchOS 5.

iPad Pro

Since this is an iPhone-focused event, the chances of other rumored Apple devices making an appearance are less firm.

Let's start with the iPad Pro.

Back in June, Apple filed new part numbers for 2018 MacBooks and iPads, which basically guarantee the company is readying those new devices for release.

When the new 2018 MacBook Pros were released, the new iPad Pro models mentioned in the government filings were left out, as were two MacBook products that could easily be related to new low-cost MacBooks.

Further proof that Apple is developing new iPad hardware with the TrueDepth camera system came in July when a developer found evidence of the Animoji framework being adapted to support an iPad-sized screen.

There were also some interesting changes in the iOS 12 beta that brought a lot of iPhone X-inspired gestures to iPad, hinting at a redesign that integrates Face ID.

There have been a lot of rumors and supply chain leaks hinting at a release in the fall timeline, and there is a chance that a new iPad will be part of next week's festivities, but Apple has in the past elected to debut refresh tablets at a separate event. That could be the case this year, as a major redesign is expected in order to accommodate the removal of Touch ID and the introduction of TrueDepth.

Wireless Charging

At least year's September Event, Apple announced AirPower, a wireless charger than can charge multiple devices at the same time, regardless of how you place them.

Seeing as it's already been a year since that announcement, and the product was delayed, a September launch alongside iPhone and Apple Watch is likely. A report from DigiTimes claimed we'll likely see Apple announce a release date for the charger on the 12th. They also mentioned the price will range from around $161-193, but if my personal opinion means anything, I think it'll be priced at around $149.

Apple also announced an optional new AirPods wireless charging case, which has yet to be released. That is almost guaranteed to debut alongside the AirPower mat, since it was used to market the wireless charger last year.

MacBook

Now onto some other hardware, like a low-cost MacBook refresh.

There's been a bunch of rumors and leaks pointing to the release of a new MacBook or MacBook Air sometime this year.

Apple recently updated its MacBook Pro line, but for some reason, they chose to leave the cheaper MacBooks alone.

That question was potentially answered last month when Intel revealed six new notebook-oriented processors that would be perfect candidates to power Apple's upcoming MacBook refresh, and Intel themselves claimed notebooks packing those chips would be available starting this fall.

It now makes perfect sense why Apple would wait to update the cheaper MacBooks, but will they get released at Apple's September event? There's a chance, but probably not, since the event is mostly focused on iPhones.

Mac mini

Some of those new processors would be perfect for the Mac mini, which is also rumored to be refreshed sometime this fall. It hasn't seen an update since 2014, and it's beginning to become outdated compared to the rest of the market.

This year would be perfect for a refresh, and it'll likely be released at the same time as the low-cost MacBook. As to whether we'll see a release at Apple's Event, most likely not, for the same reasons.

iMac

Last year, Apple released new iMacs alongside new MacBook Pros, which, to our surprise, didn't happen this year. It could be the case that Apple would skip out on iMac updates like they did in 2016, but there have been some analysts, like Ming-Chi Kuo, who believe Apple will release new iMacs this year.

Kuo predicts the new model to have a significant display-performance upgrade, which could mean the addition of Apple's variable framerate ProMotion technology, which debuted on the 2017 iPad Pro.

Since the event on the 12th is iPhone-oriented, we likely won't see iMacs being released. There's a much higher chance that the new iMacs, low-cost MacBooks and Mac Mini will be released at the same time, and that seems like far too much to add to the September event.

We're most likely looking at some time later in the Fall, possibly October, but there's no way to know for sure.

AirPods

AirPods 2.0 and Apple-branded over-ear headphones have also been rumored to be in the pipeline.

The AirPods will feature upgrades like "Hey Siri" support and better water resistance, while the headphones are expected to feature premium audio technology as part of Apple's new push into that market.

Earlier rumors pointed to a possible release this year, but more recent rumors are pushing those dates into 2019, so don't wait on those devices.

HomePod

There's also been rumors of a cheaper HomePod in the works, and the story's the same for its release schedule.

Early rumors pointed to a 2018 release due to slow current HomePod sales, but recent rumors again hint at a 2019 release, so definitely don't expect that at Apple's upcoming event.

Mac Pro

Finally, let's talk about the 2019 Mac Pro. Obviously, we're not expecting a release until 2019, but there is a chance that Apple will give us a sneak peak during the event on Sept. 12th.

To wrap it up, definitely expect to see releases of the new iPhones, a new Apple Watch, software updates and potentially the new AirPower mat and AirPods case.

There's a chance we'll see new iPad Pros, but they may end up being released sometime later this fall, perhaps alongside a low-cost MacBook, iMac and Mac mini.

AppleInsider will be covering the September 12 event, along with rumors and news before and after Apple's anticipated launches.