Looking Back at Past In-Person iPhone Events Ahead of 'Far Out' iPhone 14 Reveal

For the first time since 2019, Apple will host an in-person event to launch its newest iPhones on Wednesday, September 7, at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. While the event is expected to remain primarily digital with an in-person component, it marks the first time in three years that Apple is holding an event in the Steve Jobs Theater and the first in-person iPhone launch since the ‌iPhone‌ 11.

Apple Event Far Out Feature
Apple's annual fall ‌iPhone‌ event is one of the most highly anticipated events for the company each year. At this annual event, Apple showcases its latest innovations in the ‌iPhone‌, Apple Watch, and other products and services. Due to the global health crisis, what used to be an entirely in-person event at ‌Apple Park‌ turned into digital, and pre-recorded videos live streamed online.

For the upcoming "Far Out" event, we still don't know what format Apple will use. With a small in-person crowd at the Steve Jobs Theater, Apple could have a live presentation with some parts pre-recorded. Either way, those in attendance will have the added benefit of having hands-on time access to the new products. Regardless of the specific format, the upcoming event remains somewhat historical. So we thought it would be fun to look back at Apple's last five in-person events before the new digital format took hold.

By innovation only.

f1568133264

Photo via Joanna Stern

Apple's last fully in-person event was the ‌iPhone‌ 11 launch on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. At this event, Apple revealed the ‌iPhone‌ 11, ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, the Apple Watch Series 5, a new 10.2-inch iPad, and updates to services such as Apple Arcade. Relive that event and all of its announcements here.

Write code. Blow minds.

wwdc 2019 13
While WWDC 2022 did have an in-person crowd, it was still a pre-recorded event with no in-person presenters to showcase Apple's latest creations. The last in-person WWDC was in 2019, one of recent most jam-packed WWDC keynotes. During WWDC 2019, Apple not only showcased iOS 13, iPadOS 13, macOS Catalina, and more, but it also revealed the Mac Pro and the Pro Display XDR.

It's showtime.

Apples keynote event guests arrive at Steve Jobs Theater 03252019 big 1
A few months before WWDC in 2019, Apple held a service-focused event on March 27, 2019, at ‌Apple Park‌ and in the Steve Jobs Theater. During this event, Apple revealed a wide range of new services, including ‌Apple Arcade‌, Apple TV+, Apple Card, and Apple News+.

The event was less mainstream compared to typical Apple events given the lack of hardware announcements for consumers. Still, it marked a critical turning point for Apple as it pivoted to also becoming a services company beyond just hardware and software. The event was held at the Steve Jobs Theater for select members of the media. Check out posts from MacRumors' coverage of the event here.

There's more in the making.

apple october 2018 event
Not held at the Steve Jobs Theater in ‌Apple Park‌, Apple's October 30, 2018, event included the reveal of a redesigned MacBook Air, the completely new edge-to-edge 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and a new Mac mini at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City. The event was heavily targeted toward creative professionals, such as artists and musicians who could use the new ‌iPad Pro‌ and the second-generation Apple Pencil to create their work. The new ‌MacBook Air‌ revealed at the time also targeted students who needed a light, thin, and capable laptop.

Gather round.

apple sept 2018 event
To wrap up the list, we look back at Apple's September 12, 2018, event at the Steve Jobs Theater at ‌Apple Park‌, where Apple announced the ‌iPhone‌ XS and the ‌iPhone‌ XS Max, the Apple Watch Series 4, and the ‌iPhone‌ XR. This was just the second event Apple had ever held at the Steve Jobs Theater after the first event in 2017, which included the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ X.

Conclusion

In-person events at ‌Apple Park‌ have a rich history, and while Apple's upcoming "Far Out" event likely won't be a full return to normal with in-person presenters and announcements, it does mark the first ‌iPhone‌ launch at the Steve Jobs Theater in three years. What are you most looking forward to for Apple's "Far Out" event? Let us know in the comments below.

Top Rated Comments

Veinticinco Avatar
8 months ago
I for one don’t miss the live on-stage cringeworthy patter that Cook attempts to muster up at these events. He’s about as entertaining as a tax audit.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NoelWalker Avatar
8 months ago
I miss those cringy moments they have on stage, like when they announced those famous Pro wheels.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rafark Avatar
8 months ago
Yay! There’s nothing like live events. All the cheering and laughing makes it so exciting and special.



Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ? Avatar
8 months ago
Can't wait till September gets here. It would be nice if we get to see "One More Thing" Exciting times ahead!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Macative Avatar
8 months ago
I didn't think Apple would return to these types of events. The pandemic excuse was perfect for them, allowing them to disguise the lameness of their updates with production work.

Considering the iPhone 14 itself (non Pro) is expected to be nearly identical to the iPhone 13, this will be interesting to see them try to pull off.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dydegu Avatar
8 months ago
I can’t wait!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, Beta Changes, Voice Isolation for Calls and More

Monday March 27, 2023 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 16.4, the fourth major update to the iOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. iOS 16.4 comes two months after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID. iOS 16‌.4 and iPadOS 16.4 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
apple tv 4k red image

Apple Releases tvOS 16.4 for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

Monday March 27, 2023 10:00 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 16.4, the fourth major point update to the tvOS 16 operating system that came out last September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, tvOS 16.4 comes two months following the release of tvOS 16.3. The tvOS 16.4 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌ by going to System > Software Update....
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
Apple Music Classical

Apple Explains Why It Launched an iPhone App Dedicated to Classical Music

Monday March 27, 2023 8:54 pm PDT by
Apple today published a support document explaining why it decided to release a standalone Apple Music Classical app for classical music. In short, Apple says the app was designed to support classical music's complex metadata:Classical music is different. It has longer and more detailed titles, multiple artists for each work, and hundreds of recordings of well-known pieces. The Apple Music...
iPhone 15 Pro Buttons CAD Leak

iPhone 15 Pro Low-Energy Chip to Allow Solid-State Buttons to Work When Device is Off or Out of Battery

Wednesday March 29, 2023 1:54 am PDT by
The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will use a new ultra-low energy microprocessor allowing certain features like the new capacitive solid-state buttons to remain functional even when the handset is powered off or the battery has run out, according to a source that shared details on the MacRumors forums. CAD-based render of new solid-state buttons on iPhone 15 Pro models The source of this rumor is ...