PC: Engadget

Apple is expected to unveil its iPhone 14 lineup on Wednesday during its yearly September keynote address.

The product presentation with the “far out” motto will be held in Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, and will be livestreamed on Apple’s website and social media channels.

In light of this year’s invitation, which included a night sky with a constellation of stars forming the Apple logo, some have hypothesised that there may be significant camera advances on iPhones to enable better nighttime or long-distance shooting. In typical Apple fashion, it provided few specifics in order to build anticipation and encourage people to tune in on the big day.

On Wednesday, the event will begin at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, and CNN Business will broadcast live coverage of it. What can we anticipate from CEO Tim Cook and his team?

The star of the show
Apple is anticipated to reveal its newest iPhone at the September keynote, as it has done for around ten years.

With the iPhone 14, Apple is anticipated to go big, literally. There are rumours that it will introduce a 6.7-inch phone that is not a Pro model, giving consumers a larger screen without paying a higher price. In order to avoid competing with the sales of the iPhone SE, the rumour mill also indicates that Apple may remove its less expensive, smaller iPhone from the 14 lineup.

According to predictions, the most recent Pro model will be slightly slimmer and the new iPhone models won’t have the infamous notch that surrounds the front-facing camera system.

Apple enthusiasts are also anticipating an important camera quality improvement with the iPhone 14—possibly one that can capture 8K video. If it does, it might represent one of the biggest improvements to the iPhone’s camera quality to yet.

Given that the general economic climate has become unstable for both the tech industry and customers, Apple’s decision to price the iPhone 14 is already posing a challenge. For the newest iPhone model, a few analysts have already predicted small price increases. Ben Wood, chief analyst at market research firm CCS Insight, told CNN Business ahead of the event that he expected Apple will likely have to raise prices.

Currently, the iPhone 13 starts at $799 for the ordinary, non-mini model, $999 for the iPhone 13 Pro, and $1,099 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max. At least a $100 price increase is expected for the more expensive Pro and Pro Max models, according to several analysts. However, he believes that Apple would also “do everything they can to make that as minimal as possible” given the pressure consumers are under. Offering enticing trade-in bonuses, flexible payment schedules, and other incentives could satisfy this need.

Cook stated that there has been “no evident evidence” of macroeconomic impact on iPhone sales as of yet, despite growing inflation and other economic difficulties. This does not imply that the tech behemoth is immune to a deteriorating economic environment. In comparison to the same period a year prior, it recorded an almost 11% fall in profits for the three months ending in June. This event also takes place in the midst of supply-chain snags brought on by China’s zero-Covid policy.

The Lightning connection on the iPhone might be eliminated in future versions, according to rumours, in favour of a wireless MagSafe charging system. As Apple transitions to an eSIM-only design, there have also been reports that some US models may ship without a physical SIM slot.

Apple Watches, iOS 16 release date, and more

On Wednesday, new Apple Watch models are anticipated to be announced, one of which will be more expensive. The much-anticipated newest update, iOS 16, which will let users customise their iPhone lock screens (as Android does) and feature a reworked iMessage, is also anticipated to get an official release date.

What not to anticipate

Many observers predict that the next iPhone will take centre stage and that Apple won’t announce new iPads or Mac PCs until October. Of course, rumours concerning these things are always subject to error. Additionally, it is unlikely that Apple will unveil its hotly awaited augmented reality headset on Wednesday.

Apple is still not anticipated to introduce a foldable iPhone this fall, despite competitor Samsung’s obsession with the technology.

Tune in here to watch as the most valuable tech firm in the world finally puts all rumours to rest and unveils some of its newest devices just in time for the hectic holiday shopping season as CNN Business will be providing live coverage of Cook’s big event.