CUPERTINO, California: Apple is expected to present a new iPhone generation on Sept 7, when fans and members of the press will watch to see what products are unveiled at company headquarters in Cupertino, California, from 10am onwards (1am, Sept 8 in Malaysia).

Alongside the new iPhone 14, new Pro versions of the Apple Watch and AirPods earbuds are also expected.

It’s also a significant event for Apple, since it’s the company’s first major on-site product event since the pandemic began. In the past two years, the new iPhones were only presented online in partially pre-filmed studio events.

A new iPhone 14

According to media reports, the iPhone 14 is set to bring improved cameras as well as an always-on display (at least the more expensive Pro versions).

This feature, already long widespread on Android phones with OLED displays, would create new options for widgets on the homescreen that display information in real time - such as live scores for sporting events.

Another display change is set to be with a smaller cutout for the selfie camera, whereby Apple’s controversial notch is reportedly reduced to a pill-shaped cutout for the selfie camera and facial recognition lenses, according to information from the financial wire Bloomberg.

On the other hand, the camera module with improved optics is expected to take up a little more space on the back.

There has also been speculation for some time that Apple could give the iPhones the ability to communicate via satellite networks in emergencies. For areas without mobile phone networks, this would be a potentially life-saving feature.

The iPhone is by far Apple’s most important product. Sales of the device bring in about half of the company’s revenue. It also plays a key role in sales of other devices such as watches or earphones and services such as Apple Music.

Global smartphone sales as a whole have shrunk in recent months, partly under pressure from economic concerns. However, according to market researchers, the two largest providers Samsung and Apple were able to decouple themselves from this development and sell more phones.

An Apple Watch Pro and upgraded Airpods Pro

As for the Apple Watch, there is speculation about a larger and more robust model aimed at athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. This would put Apple in stronger competition with specialists like Garmin, who focus on this target group.

The so-called Watch Pro would be more expensive - and at the same time Apple wants to update the cheapest model, the Watch SE, according to media reports.

The company has held the lead in the smartwatch business since the market launch of the first Apple Watch in spring 2015. According to data from Canalys, Apple sold 18 million watches in the first half of the year, giving it a market share of 52%.

Meanwhile Apple’s popular AirPods Pro have long been expected to get their first major update, with the new version reported by Bloomberg’s Apple specialist Mark Gurman to be also launching on Wednesday.

The product is rumoured to get a variety of hardware updates, notably the next generation of Apple’s H1 processor and better sound from an update to the Bluetooth 5.2 standard or Apple’s lossless audio. The Airpods Pro 2 may also adapt their design for a firmer fit with in-ear wing tips, according to Apple news website 9to5Mac.

 - dpa