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.

Popular Stories

Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Magsafe

iPhone 17 Pro's New MagSafe Design Revealed in Leaked Photo

Wednesday July 2, 2025 8:37 am PDT by
The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are rumored to have a slightly different MagSafe magnet layout compared to existing iPhone models, and a leaked photo has offered a closer look at the supposed new design. The leaker Majin Bu today shared a photo of alleged MagSafe magnet arrays for third-party iPhone 17 Pro cases. On existing iPhone models with MagSafe, the magnets form a...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
Wi Fi WiFi General Feature

iOS 26 Adds a Useful New Wi-Fi Feature to Your iPhone

Wednesday July 2, 2025 6:36 am PDT by
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 add a smaller yet useful Wi-Fi feature to iPhones and iPads. As spotted by Creative Strategies analyst Max Weinbach, sign-in details for captive Wi-Fi networks are now synced across iPhones and iPads running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. For example, while Weinbach was staying at a Hilton hotel, his iPhone prompted him to fill in Wi-Fi details from his iPad that was already...
iOS 18

Apple Releases Second iOS 18.6 Public Beta

Tuesday July 1, 2025 10:19 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to public beta testers, with the betas coming just a day after Apple provided the betas to developers. Apple has also released a second beta of macOS Sequoia 15.6. Testers who have signed up for beta updates through Apple's beta site can download iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 from the Settings app on a compatible...

Top Rated Comments

Veinticinco Avatar
37 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
37 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
37 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
37 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
37 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
37 months ago
I can’t wait!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)