What to Expect at the September 14 Apple Event: iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7, and More

Apple is holding its annual iPhone-centric event on Tuesday, September 14, and like last year, it will be entirely digital. We've been hearing rumors about what's coming for many months now, so we have a good idea of what to expect.


We're expecting the new iPhone 13 models and Apple Watch Series 7 models to debut at the event, along with new Apple Watch bands and iPhone cases. We could also get the AirPods 3, and there are also other products on the horizon like new iPads and the M1X MacBook Pro, but with Apple rumored to be holding multiple events over the next few months, this one may have more of an iPhone focus.

This guide highlights everything that we're expecting to see at the September event based on the rumors we've heard so far.

iPhone 13

Apple will release four iPhones in 2021, including a 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13, a 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max. If that sounds a lot like the iPhone 12 lineup, well, it is.

iphone 13 matte black bronze and lurid
The iPhone 13 models will be almost identical to the iPhone 12 models, and we're expecting few design changes. That said, the new models might be just a little bit thicker, and there could be new colors. A darker graphite gray shade and bronze have been rumored, but not confirmed, as has a pink shade.

The side button, mute button, and volume buttons may be a bit lower and some of the biggest design changes are coming to the camera. The iPhone 13 Pro will have a bigger camera bump and the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 will have lenses arranged diagonally. Camera bumps may be thicker, but individual lenses will protrude less.

iphone 13 matte black and bronze feature
On the front side, we're expecting a smaller Face ID notch with the speaker moving to the top edge of the display. There may be some improvements to Face ID itself, but we haven't heard that from a reliable source.

The iPhone 13 Pro models are rumored to be getting a 120Hz "ProMotion" display to finally put the iPhone on par with the iPad Pro. This will be enabled through new low-power LTPO backplane technology, which may also facilitate an always-on display similar to what we have on the current Apple Watch models.

Inside, the iPhone 13 models will have a 5-nanometer A15 chip and as with all updates to the A-series chip, it's expected to bring faster performance and efficiency improvements that will boost battery life.

Qualcomm's X60 modem will bring faster 5G connection speeds and better 5G coverage, and Apple is expected to bring super-fast mmWave connectivity to more countries. As for WiFi, iPhone 13 models may support the latest WiFi 6E specification.

iphone 13 dummy model lineup
Apple is rumored to be using bigger batteries in all the iPhone 13 models, which might bring longer battery life, but the always-on display and 120Hz refresh rate might eat some of that up on the Pro models. We've heard a rumor that wired charging might be faster with support for up to 25W, and reverse wireless charging is a possibility but hasn't been confirmed by a reliable source.

Camera technology improves each year, and rumors suggest all of the new iPhones are getting updated features. Some of the biggest improvements will come to the iPhone 13 Pro, which is expected to be on par with the iPhone 13 Pro Max this year with a better telephoto lens.

The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max are expected to get sensors with larger pixels to improve photos in low-light conditions, and the Ultra Wide camera on these models will feature autofocus and an improved f/1.8 aperture for low-light improvements. The sensor-shift stabilization feature available in the Pro models is expected to come to the entire iPhone 13 lineup for much better stability for the Wide camera. On the Pro models, the Ultra Wide camera may also use sensor-shift stabilization.

A new cinematic video mode will work like Portrait mode but for video, and Apple is adding ProRes support to the Pro models, which is the video equivalent of ProRAW. The built-in camera filters will be improved and will be applied to objects and people more precisely rather than being overlaid on the entire photo, plus Night Mode could get better colors and new features for recognizing the night sky.

The iPhone 13 models may support up to 1TB storage for the first time, up from the prior 512GB maximum.

There were rumors of a portless design and under-display Touch ID, but those did not pan out and we're no longer expecting those features. For more detail on what's coming in the iPhone 13 lineup, we have a dedicated iPhone 13 roundup.

Apple Watch Series 7

No new health features are expected for the Apple Watch this year, but it is getting the first redesign we've seen since 2018. The Apple Watch Series 7 will better match the iPhone 13 because it's adopting the same flat-edged design, which is a major change from the curved edges the Apple Watch has had since its 2015 introduction.

Apple Watch 7 Unreleased Feature Flat
The Apple Watch Series 7 will come in new 41mm and 45mm size options, up from 40mm and 44mm. Combined with thinner bezels, this will allow for significantly larger displays that will also include a new lamination technique that brings the display closer to the watch's surface.

We could see new color options, such as a green color that could join or replace the blue shade introduced last year. Rumors have been mixed on whether the new design will make the Series 7 thicker or thinner, so we'll have to wait to see.

91mmobile apple watch series 1
An updated S7 chip will be included in the Series 7, and because it's smaller, it leaves more room for other components like a bigger battery. New wireless connectivity is expected, as is an improved version of the current U1 Ultra Wideband chip.

Apple is designing new Series 7-exclusive watch faces to go with the larger displays, including a Modular Max face, a Continuum face, and a new world time watch face. Alongside the launch of the new watch, Apple is debuting new "Time to Run" and "Audio Meditations" features that will accompany the "Time to Walk" option that was introduced earlier this year.

prosser apple watch series 7
Apple has reportedly been having some difficulties ramping up mass production of the Apple Watch Series 7, so while we expect to see an introduction at this event, its actual launch could be delayed a bit compared to the iPhone 13 or initially available only in very limited quantities.

For more on the Apple Watch Series 7, we have a dedicated guide that aggregates everything we know about it so far.

AirPods 3

Apple's most affordable earbuds are getting an update in 2021, and it could come at the September event, although we're a bit less certain it's coming at this event than we are with the iPhone and Apple Watch. Whenever they arrive, the AirPods 3 will get a design overhaul with a more AirPods Pro-like look.

AirPods Gen 3 Feature
We're expecting an AirPods Pro design with shorter stems, and there are mixed rumors on whether or not the new AirPods will have the same silicone tips or if they'll retain the current no-tip design, but it's looking like they'll be a tipless hybrid of the current AirPods and AirPods Pro.

The case is shorter and wider than the current AirPods case and is more similar to the AirPods Pro case.

New internal hardware with an updated wireless chip is a possibility, and we could see extended range and battery life improvements. The AirPods 3 won't get AirPods Pro features like Noise Cancellation, and they'll still be the most affordable AirPods.

New Software Updates

Apple is expected to release iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 just a few days ahead of when the new iPhone models are set to become available.

iOS 15 General Feature Purple
If the iPhone models are announced on the 14th and are set to launch on the 24th, for example, we could see the software updates launch on the 22nd.

Alternatively, some of the software updates could come as soon as the 15th if Apple repeats last year's timing. Either way, Apple will let us know the launch dates for the software on event day.

If Apple follows its recent pattern of releases, macOS Monterey may be released a bit after iOS 15 and its sister updates so we may not see Monterey until later in September or in October.

Expected Later This Year

Last year, Apple held events in September, October, and November, and it was an autumn event extravaganza. Multiple events proved to be successful, and it's something we're also counting on this year.

2020 was a special situation because of the iPhone delay, so we may only get two events this year, but three is still a possibility. Here's what we may see at events held in October and/or November:

  • MacBook Pro - Apple is working on an updated version of the MacBook Pro that will come in 14 and 16-inch size options. It will have thinner bezels and a larger display, along with a redesigned chassis. It will mark the return of MagSafe connectivity over USB-C, and Apple is also bringing back the HDMI port and SD card slot. The new MacBook Pro models will do away with the Touch Bar in favor of a row of function keys, and in many ways, this redesign will mark a return to the pre-2016 MacBook Pro. Most notably, the upcoming MacBook Pro models will use a new "M1X" chip that's an upgrade to the M1.
  • Mac mini - According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a new version of the Mac mini that will feature an M1X chip. This new Mac mini will replace the current Intel version of the Mac mini and it is coming "in the next several months."
  • iPad 9 - There is a new version of the low-cost iPad in development and it's expected to launch before the end of the year. It will continue to have a Home button, but it will get an updated 10.5-inch display and it could be thinner and lighter than prior models. A faster A-series chip is also expected.
  • iPad mini 6 - Apple has major changes in store for the iPad mini 6, which is expected to be updated with an all-display design. Like the iPad Air, it will have no Home button and it could feature a Touch ID power button.

How to Watch

The iPhone 13 event will kick off on Tuesday, September 14 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will live stream the event on its website and on YouTube.

For those unable to watch, MacRumors will have live coverage of the event both on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Popular Stories

Nineth iOS 19 Feature

iOS 19 Beta is a Month Away With These New Features for Your iPhone

Thursday May 8, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is just one month away, and there are already many new features and changes that are expected with it. Apple should seed the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Apple's Foldable iPhone Display Tech May Set New Industry Standard

Thursday May 8, 2025 3:29 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone will feature a new type of display panel developed by Samsung that has never been used in a foldable product, claims a source with links to Apple's supply chain. According to the account yeux1122 on the Korean Naver blog, the foldable iPhone will use a custom display process for which Apple will hold branding trademark rights, and that meets Apple's stringent ...
iOS 18

Here Are Apple's Full iOS 18.5 Release Notes

Tuesday May 6, 2025 2:17 pm PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.5 to developers and public beta testers, giving us a look at the final version of the update that will be provided to the public next week. With the release candidate, Apple provided release notes, so we have a more complete look at the new features that are included in the update, including those that weren't found during the beta...
siri glow

iPhone Users Now Able to Submit Claims in $95 Million Siri Spying Lawsuit

Wednesday May 7, 2025 11:40 am PDT by
If you owned a Siri-compatible device and had an accidental Siri activation between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024, you could be eligible for a payment from Apple as part of a class action lawsuit settlement. Apple in January agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit involving Siri spying accusations, and a website to distribute the funds has now been set up and...
Mayday Calendar

Apple Acquisition Hints at Upgraded Calendar App on iOS 19 or Beyond

Friday May 9, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Apple acquired Canadian startup Mayday Labs in April 2024, according to a European Commission listing, spotted by French blog MacGeneration. The acquisition had not received widespread attention from tech publications until now. Apple is legally required to report certain acquisitions to the European Commission, under the terms of the EU's Digital Markets Act. Mayday Labs founder Jeremy...
fortnite apple featured

Epic Games Submits Fortnite to U.S. App Store

Friday May 9, 2025 9:57 am PDT by
As promised, Epic Games today submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and if approved by Apple, it will mark the first time that the Fortnite app has been available in the United States since 2020. Fortnite will include options to purchase in-app currency from the web rather than through in-app purchase, which is what got the game banned to begin with. This time, though, Apple has been...
airpods pro purple

Apple's Camera Equipped AirPods and Apple Watch Could Launch as Soon as 2027

Thursday May 8, 2025 10:14 am PDT by
Apple is working on versions of the AirPods and Apple Watch that incorporate a camera, and the devices could be ready to launch sometime around 2027, reports Bloomberg. Apple has developed a chip codenamed "Nevis" that will be used for its camera-equipped Apple Watch, while a chip codenamed "Glennie" will be incorporated into the AirPods. Apple is aiming to have the chips ready "by around...

Top Rated Comments

jz0309 Avatar
48 months ago
IF the rumors as described in this article turn out to be correct - I will save a lot of money! No (for me) compelling feature in neither the watch nor the iPhone ...
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
48 months ago
I figured while I was removing the Apple logo to add that question mark, I might as well try to make a full version of the event graphic for use as a wallpaper.

High quality Imgur link ('https://imgur.com/a/17AD3mp')



Attachment Image
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
48 months ago

We’re getting a re-design Apple Watch though. That’s not compelling?
no, not for me.
I want new functionality as in new health features for example ...
I got a "new" S4 about 3 months ago under AC+, so battery is at 100% and absolute pristine ...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macos9rules Avatar
48 months ago
Meh... nothing exciting here.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
48 months ago
The biggest event and the happiest time of the year is upon us. It’s almost time.

I’ll be watching the event very closely. I can’t wait to place my order for a new iPhone and new Apple Watch.

LET’S GET IT!!!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
danny1305 Avatar
48 months ago

IF the rumors as described in this article turn out to be correct - I will save a lot of money! No (for me) compelling feature in neither the watch nor the iPhone ...
What?? This can’t be a serious post. I feel like literally no matter what they introduced, you would still find a way to complain about it
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)