iPhone XR, iPhone XS Max, iPad Pros, Macs and more: Everything Apple could announce on Sept. 12

This article, iPhone XR, iPhone XS Max, iPad Pros, Macs and more: Everything Apple could announce on Sept. 12, originally appeared on CNET.com.

Apple season kicks off this week -- and this year's bounty could be plentiful. On Wednesday, we expect to see three new iPhones, including a new iPhone X, a supersized version called the iPhone XS Max and a less expensive variant possibly called the iPhone XR. That iPhone trio will take center stage in an event that's also expected to show off a new, bigger Apple Watch Series 4. New iPad Pros, new Macs and Apple's AirPower wireless charging accessory -- originally announced a year ago and never shipped -- are also possibilities.

On Monday, a report from Bloomberg adds new specifics to some well-established iPhone rumors already in circulation. According to Mark Gurman, who has a good track record on these things, the next generation flagship will be called the iPhone XS and will feature an upgraded processor and cameras, and come in gold, gray and silver. A plus-sized version, the iPhone XS Max, will have a 6.5-inch display -- by far the largest screen Apple has used for a phone to date. And the company will introduce a (relatively) less expensive third version, which may be called the "iPhone XR," with a 6.1-inch LCD screen.

That lines up with previous rumors, but Gurman notes that the "entry-level" 6.1-inch phone could have a starting price as high as $849. While that makes sense as a $50 premium over the 5.5-inch iPhone 8 Plus -- and it's less than the current $999 5.8-inch iPhone X -- it may well disappoint shoppers looking for an alternative to the $699 iPhone 8. Furthermore, Gurman notes that the 6.1-inch phone may be available in limited quantities to start.

These new details come with just two days to go until Apple's Sept. 12 event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California. Bloomberg has previously reported that Apple will also use the event to introduce a redesigned Apple Watch and new iPad Pros as well as a refresh of the Mac line -- though it's unclear if new products like a rumored MacBook Air replacement will also be announced on Wednesday or at a separate event later this year.

With so many new Apple products on deck, we've collected all of the reports and rumors herein. Just note that nothing here has been explicitly confirmed unless otherwise indicated -- Apple almost never comments on forthcoming product announcements. With that caveat in place, read on for the lowdown on what we're hearing about new Apple products in the pipeline and when we might see them.

We're in the home stretch: Apple's big fall event is scheduled for Sept. 12, and rumors (and leaks) are pointing to three new iPhones: A second-gen iPhone X, again with a 5.8-inch OLED screen, and two larger models -- a 6.5-inch OLED and a 6.1-inch LCD handset. The latter might strip a few features -- such as 3D Touch and the dual rear camera -- to come in at a price point lower than the current iPhone X.

No matter how many new iPhones are unveiled on Wednesday -- and whatever they're called -- there are plenty of features we'd like to see in the new models. Here are our top priorities -- along with our guess on the likelihood of each one being implemented in the top-end model.

This story was originally published March 5, 2018, and is updated periodically.

Using the Face ID feature, the iPhone X works pretty well but it's still generally not as fast or smooth as the current iteration of Touch ID. In addition to a speed bump, it would be great if Face ID for 2018 could work at wider angles and different orientations of the device. Better performance in bright sunlight would be optimal, too.

It also appears that iOS 12 allows Face ID for "different appearances," which may or may not mean that you can have a second person -- such as a spouse or significant other -- unlock your phone, too.

Chance of implementation: 75 percent

Face ID 2 could be the biggest improvement on the iPhone XS

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

Since iOS 11 added support for Apple's ARKit to the iPhone 6S and later models, we've seen plenty of augmented reality apps hit the App Store. ARKit 2 in iOS 12 is adding even more fun tricks to the iPhone's mixed reality portfolio.

But what about virtual reality? Apple jumped into VR at 2017's WWDC, but it was mostly Mac-focused. CEO Tim Cook has said he sees bigger possibilities for AR than VR, but the company has been rumored to be working on standalone VR glasses for the future -- though apparently later than sooner.

In the interim, it'd be nice to see an Apple-branded headset into which the iPhone can be placed, similar to Samsung's Gear VR, shown here.

Chances of Apple-branded VR accessory:15 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

Plenty of people would get upset if Apple switched from its Lightning port to a USB Type-C connection, which is gradually becoming the standard for other phones and laptops, including Apple's own line of MacBooks. But swapping out the rectangular USB-A connector on the iPhone charger that comes in the box -- while leaving Lightning on the phone -- would mean that Apple users could charge their iPhones from their new MacBooks without needing an adapter. Apple does sell one of these cables, but you have to pay extra for it. And if they had the right power adapter, they could also charge their phones more quickly (see next slide). The rumor of a USB-C charger has picked up steam in recent months.

Chances of USB-C on iPhone: Less than 0.01 percent

Chances of USB-C on default charger: 20 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

If you go to Apple's website, you can find a page that talks about fast charging. Here's how Apple describes it:

Fast charging gives you a quick and convenient way to recharge your iPhone X, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. Your iPhone fast charges up to 50 percent in 30 minutes when you use an Apple USB-C to Lightning cable and one of these adapters:

• Apple 29W, 30W, 61W or 87W USB-C Power Adapter
• A comparable third-party USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD)

It'd be nice if those accessories were included in the box -- especially if you were buying the top-end iPhone starting at $999, £999 or AU$1,579. Apple charges $25, £25 or AU$35 for the cable alone, although you can get generic versions for much less. However, those generic cables are not part of Apple's "Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" program that certifies cables as safe to use, so go for the cheaper cables at your own risk.

Chances of implementation: 10 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

Right now, there are up to four SKUs for each iPhone model, to account for differences between CDMA and GSM networks, as well as for the Japanese Suica transit card. It would be great to have one iPhone that could be a true world traveler.

Chance of implementation: 5 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone and iPhone X Plus.

OK, this is a stretch, but we can dream, right?

Current iPhones work on 4G networks. Upcoming 5G cellular data networks promise blazing-fast speeds. But we probably won't see 5G networks -- and 5G phones -- until late 2019 at the earliest. Still, it would sure be nice if Apple slipped a 5G chip in its 2018 iPhones.

Chance of implementation: 0.1 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

This doesn't really have anything to do with the hardware of the new iPhones, but I thought I'd throw it in the mix to voice a common complaint about an extra Apple tax you end up paying if you go with its backup service, iCloud.

With photo and video file sizes getting larger and larger with each new iPhone you buy, Apple needs to give you more storage for less money -- or at least for the same amount of money. And how about a free year of storage equal to the capacity of the phone? With Google now offering more cloud storage for less money with Google One, maybe Apple will follow suit.

Chances of an iCloud price cut: 5 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

Most iPhones now come in 64GB and 256GB capacities. With just $12 separating the price of 64GB and 128GB microSD cards, the price to double up on that low-end capacity is rapidly shrinking. Apple could throw customers a bone and double the capacity of the entry-level models. But don't count on it.

There's a rumor that Apple's much-hyped 3D Touch feature, first introduced with the iPhone 6S, may get nixed from at least one new, reportedly more affordable next-generation iPhone.

We have no idea whether that's true or not, but we have to admit: Right now, we wouldn't really miss if it went away, replaced instead by a long press.

If it's going to stay, Apple should ramp up implementations that are actually, you know, useful. How about 3D Touch to swap between Bluetooth and AirPlay output devices? Or to switch between Wi-Fi networks without going into a whole new menu screen?

Chances of more useful 3D Touch features: 15 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

Apple has consistently improved the iPhone's graphics capabilities with each new iteration, and not surprisingly, we've come to expect a performance boost. We would be disappointed if we didn't get one, though we'd sacrifice some power in favor of a big battery boost.

The A11 Bionic chip you see here powers the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X. It's built on 10 nanometer process technology -- produced by Taiwanese giant TSMC.

Rumor has it TSMC will produce all the new A12 chips that will power the next-generation iPhones, and that those chips will be built on 7 nanometer process technology to further maximize speed and performance.

The iPhone 8 has 2GB of RAM, while the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X have 3GB. Hopefully, the new iPhones will get a RAM bump to at least 4GB. Samsung's new Galaxy S9 comes with 4GB of RAM while the larger Galaxy S9 Plus has 6GB.

Chances of implementation: 100 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

The now widely accepted belief that we'll get three large-screen iPhones in 2018 originated with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo earlier this year, postulating a trio of phones that included two with screens larger than the existing 5.8-inch iPhone X.

According to Kuo, there's going to be a new high-end model (call it the iPhone X Plus) that would have a 6.5-inch OLED. Additionally, Apple would make a more affordable model with a 6.1-inch LCD -- albeit stripping some high-end features out of that latter model.

The theory has more recently been endorsed by a Bloomberg report and no one has really suggested a different scenario at this piont.

Chances of implementation: 90 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

The iPhone X was the first iPhone to leave off a physical home button, but in the process, Apple also removed the Touch ID fingerprint scanner.

There was some hope that we'd get a virtual home button that would include a fingerprint scanner, but Apple, like Samsung, was said to be having trouble getting a fingerprint scanner to work behind the screen.

Apple focused instead on facial recognition to handle unlocking duties, but we'd still like to see Touch ID behind the screen, a la phones made by Vivo.

Chances of Touch ID behind the screen: 1 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

Back when the iPhone 6 came out, there was chatter that it would sport a shatter-resistant sapphire screen, but that never materialized.

We managed to crack the iPhone X's screen with just one drop (Apple charges $279, £286 or AU$419 to replace the iPhone X's OLED screen). Also worth noting: the back of the phone, which is also made out glass, didn't fare any better.

We're still waiting for an iPhone that's truly shatter-resistant like the Motorola Z2 Force. Whether that's Corning's Gorilla Glass 6 or something that Apple whips up itself is fine by us.

Chances of implementation: 5 percent

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

The iPhone's camera keeps getting slightly better with each iteration. But there's always room for improvement, and a better camera is one of the main upgrade features people are looking for when they shell out big bucks for a new iPhone.

The iPhone X got dual lenses that allow for more flexibility while shooting. It also got a better front selfie camera. Both offered improved performance in low-light conditions, but low-light and flash performance could be even better -- competition from Samsung, Huawei and others is only ramping up.

Chances of implementation: 100 percent that the camera will be "better," but 25 percent that it will be a significant upgrade from the 2017 iPhone X

Everything we know about the 2018 iPhone/iPhone XS/iPhone X Plus.

Editors' note, Sept. 10: This post was originally published on Aug. 27 and will continue to be updated with news and rumors on Apple's Sept.12 event and the company's 2018 product lineup.

Three new iPhones

Apple has faithfully announced new iPhones every September since 2012, when it debuted the iPhone 5. And the company has offered two new models -- the "standard" 4.7-inch size and "Plus" 5.5-inch version with a better camera -- since 2014. Last year, it outdid itself with three new models, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, and a few weeks later the radically redesigned iPhone X. This year, Apple is widely expected to repeat that feat with a trio of totally new models based on the X design: No home button, nearly all screen, equipped with Face ID.

Here's what we expect to see:

• The sequel (iPhone XS): The follow-up to last year's flagship, rumored to be called the iPhone XS, will likely get a bump in performance, better dual cameras and longer battery life, while retaining the same (or similar) 5.8-inch OLED screen. Pricing could start at $899.
• The big one (iPhone XS Max): Apple is said to have developed a larger, 6.5-inch version of the iPhone X -- possibly called the iPhone XS Max -- that could have three rear cameras and start somewhere between $999 and $1,100 or more. It's possible that Apple Pencil support could be added, too, to compete with Samsung's pro-focused Galaxy Note phones. 
• The less expensive one (iPhone XR): A 6.1-inch variation may feature an LCD display, a single rear camera and an aluminum design. And it could be relatively less expensive, starting somewhere between $699 and $849. Both larger phones may also get support for dual SIM cards in some countries, according to that Aug. 27 Bloomberg story. But the 6.1-inch phone may not ship until October.

Plus, maybe a fourth sort of new iPhone

Bloomberg's most recent report does not mention the iPhone SE -- the most affordable option in Apple's phone lineup since its 2016 debut -- but we've heard persistent murmurs about a possible refresh this year. The Frankenstein's monster of Apple's lineup, the SE takes all of the components of an iPhone 6S, minus 3D Touch, and stuffs them into the smaller body of an iPhone 5. Apple gave it a modest refresh in 2017, but a major update is way overdue.

According to the rumors, Apple may deliver yet one more minor makeover in 2018, giving the iPhone SE 2 the same A10 processor used in 2016's iPhone 7. Will that refreshed SE retain its miniature 4-inch screen along with the $349 (£349, AU$549) starting price? We'll find out soon enough.

Apple Watch 4

An image of what's purported to be the Apple Watch 4 published by 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac

With Google and Samsung ratcheting up the smartwatch competition, Apple has a real incentive to shake things up with a dramatic new Watch announcement in 2018. Bloomberg reports that the new model will have "the most significant changes" since it launched in 2014 -- which could include a bigger display with a higher resolution and more real estate and click-free buttons. At the very least, we know Apple will debut (previewed at this year's WWDC developer conference), featuring fitness improvements, an instant watch-to-watch walkie-talkie mode, support for podcasts and an ability to play audio from third-party apps on the go.

New iPad Pro

When Apple debuted the latest iPad in March, adding Pencil support and a faster processor, it narrowed the gap between the entry-level tablet and its much more expensive Pro siblings. Now, rumors suggest that the company will look to justify the Pro's premium pricing with a major redesign inspired by the iPhone X's design -- shrinking the bezels, dropping the home button and adding Face ID. Bloomberg reports that we'll see two new models -- an 11-inch and 12.9-inch version.

New Macs and MacBooks

Sure, we got a new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro just this July. But for years hardcore Apple fans have accused the company of neglecting its computer lineup -- especially the MacBook Air, which has remained essentially unchanged for the better part of a decade. According to the rumors, however, Apple may have a slew of new computing products in the pipeline for 2018 and 2019. Here's what we're hearing:

• The long-rumored new MacBook Air featuring a Retina Display may finally see the light of day, and plug a big hole at the bottom of Apple's laptop portfolio.
• New iMacs equipped with Intel's eight-generation processors seem like a no-brainer.
• A new Mac Mini, possibly with configurations targeted to pro users, could finally be on deck. The current model hasn't been updated since way back in 2014. 

Remember that the iMac Pro is less than a year old, so a refresh there is unlikely (but not impossible). And Apple has already signaled that the Mac Pro successor won't be unveiled until 2019.

AirPods

Sources report that Apple is developing a pair of higher-end AirPods, with noise-cancellation, water resistance and wireless charging. Larger, over-ear headphones -- Apple-branded, not Beats -- could also be on deck. At the very least, though, expect software improvements and wireless charging accessories to to be added to the AirPods; both have been previously announced by Apple.

Read:

iOS 12

With the public beta having launched in June, we expect Apple to follow its normal schedule and release the full version of its next mobile operating system alongside the new iPhones in mid-September. (It usually happens the week after Apple's big media event.) In addition to enhancing Siri, giving FaceTime a facelift and introducing Memojis, Apple is said to be focusing on improving basic performance on older models with this next release. And while group FaceTime has already been delayed, Apple often reveals a handful of new features in its mobile operating system that will be exclusive to the new iPhones -- so some surprises may yet be on deck.

The final version of iOS 12 isn't arriving until the fall, but a public beta is now here to try if you're curious. You don't need to install public betas on your phone, and we'd advise you not to (use a second device if you're curious), but here's what's new to try. Yes, Memoji! And there's more.

ARKit 2 enables all sorts of amazing things, but not without third-party apps (which won't get here until the fall). Meanwhile, there's just Apple's new Measure app.

Measure is an AR tape measure app. It's a lot like other apps that exist, but this one works pretty decently and is free.

Just keep in mind, AR measurements are often not precise.

Siri Shortcuts will eventually work with third-party apps and a future new app called Shortcuts that will program all sorts of voice-enabled workflows... like the Apple-acquired app Workflow. But that's not here yet.

Instead, you can play with shortcuts that might appear via Apple's first-party apps in Settings. These can be customized with new voice prompts, but that's about it for now.

Feeling addicted to your phone? Screen Time wants to help. It's inside Settings.

The new feature tracks usage across apps, and measures overall screen time.

Its settings can be used to try to control personal phone use, or limit kid screen time in an iCloud Family Sharing-linked account.

Downtime is a feature that aims to limit phone use during set periods, shutting down access to apps (it can be customized).

Launch an app, and you'll get this block. But you can override it by snoozing the alert, or turning it off. I'm not sure my willpower will be deterred.

Grayed-out apps during Downtime look like this.

Notification management is a lot better now. Similar app notifications can stack, and it's easy to tap to silence notifications from pings, but have them still appear on the lock screen.

If you have an iPhone X, you'll want to try Memoji. The make-your-own-Animoji avatar tool lives where Animoji already are: in the Messages app, or in FaceTime.

New Memoji can be made pretty quickly and added to the roster. Mine looks pretty familiar.

MacOS Mojave

MacOS Mojave is available now as a public beta and will be officially released as a free update this fall. It'll introduce a number of new features, from a dark mode and desktop Stacks to a new Finder view and a few familiar faces from iOS. You'll also find four familiar iOS apps on your Mac after updating to Mojave, along with some added privacy features to protect you from Facebook and other advertisers.

Apple's streaming service and new TV shows

Apple has nabbed big-name deals with Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, M. Night Shyamalan and Steven Spielberg, among many others. It's also hired two top television executives to spearhead the effort. And the company has been deploying a $1 billion budget in the last year to recruit projects from those high-profile film and television stars. The thing is -- we know almost nothing about how and where these shows will be made available. Might Apple create one bundle to rule them all?

Everything else we may see from Apple

• AirPower: Announced roughly one year ago, Apple hasn't mentioned its Apple's wireless charging pad since. We might finally see this product in September.
• HomePod: Apple is said to be mulling a smaller, less expensive HomePod -- but it's not expected until 2019.
• Apple TV: As a product that rarely gets a major annual update, the rollout of TVOS 12, featuring Dolby Atmos support, is likely to be the biggest change coming to Apple TV 4K in the near-term. Read Apple TV wishlist: 5 things we'd like to see on Sept. 12 for our best case scenario for new Apple TV announcements.

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