Apple Wonderlust Event 2023 today: What to expect, where to watch
Apple is expected to unwrap its next new generation iPhone series at the event, which comes at a time when the company is mired in a mild slump
Apple is expected to unwrap its next new generation iPhone series on Tuesday (September 12) in an event that has become an annual rite aimed at giving people more reasons to buy the technology trendsetter's marquee products.
When to watch Apple's Wonderlust Event-2023 in India?
The Apple Wonderlust Event 2023 will begin at 10.30 pm IST on Tuesday.
Where to watch the event?
The conference will be broadcast live on Apple's YouTube site. It will also be available for viewing on the Apple.com website, the Apple TV app, and the Apple Developer app.
What to expect?
There are five things to look forward to during this year’s event:
iPhone 15 series
Apple is likely to unveil the iPhone 15 models, its next generation of phones – iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
As has been the case with Apple and other smartphone makers, the next model isn't expected to make any major leaps in technology. The array of iPhone 15 choices, likely to range from lower-priced basic models to more expensive premium versions, are expected to consist of mostly incremental advances to the device's chips, battery, and cameras.
The basic iPhone 15 models also may be redesigned to include a shape-shifting cutout on the display screen that Apple calls its “Dynamic Island” for app notifications - a look that was introduced with last year's Pro and Pro Max devices.
If the rumour mill pans out, this year's iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max may feature a periscope-style telephoto lens that will improve the quality of photos taken from far distances. The telephoto lens could boast a 6x optical zoom, which would still lag the 10x optical zoom on Samsung's premium Galaxy S22 Ultra, but would be a significant upgrade from the 3x optical zoom on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.
While the first two models, 15 and 15 Plus, are expected to have glass and aluminium sides, the latter two models, which are higher-end versions, may have a titanium design. The switch to titanium would probably make the phones more durable and about 10 per cent lighter.
The Pro models would also be fitted with a new chipset that would translate to improved performance and battery life.
Apple is said to have used a new manufacturing process that would improve the screen size.
Apple watches
Besides its new iPhones, Apple also typically uses this annual showcase to unveil its next generation of smartwatches - a product that made its debut nearly a decade ago.
The Cupertino-based company is anticipated to release updates to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra.
The former may be available in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, while the Watch Ultra 2 may come in 49mm size.
Shift to USB Type C
One of the biggest anticipated changes that Apple is expected to announce is a new way to charge the iPhone 15 models and future generations. The company is expected to switch to the USB-C cable standard that is already widely used on many devices, including its Mac computers and many of its iPads.
Apple is being forced to start phasing out the Lightning port cables that it rolled out in 2012 with the release of the iPhone 5 because of a mandate that European regulators are imposing in 2024. It's unclear whether Apple will initially limit the switchover to USB-C ports to models made specifically for the European market or make the change worldwide.
If Apple decides it's time to move away from Lightning port cables throughout the world, the transition may not be too inconvenient for most consumers. That's because USB-C cables already are so widely used on a range of computers, smartphones, and other devices that many people may already own them. The shift to USB-C cables may even be a popular move since that standard typically charges devices more quickly and also offers faster speeds for data transfers.
Apple AirPods
Apple will likely shift its regular AirPods and AirPods Max to the USB-C standard soon. There could be a software upgrade that would enable users to mute and unmute AirPods, a feature that silences media when people start talking.
iOS 17 release date
The arrival of the new iPhones also sets the stage for the next version of the software that powers the device.
That operating system, iOS 17, will be available as a free download to previous generations later this month and will include new features such as the ability to read a transcription of a message being left on an unanswered call in real time with an option of deciding to talk to the person on the line before the voicemail is finished.
It is expected that Apple will announce when it is likely to launch iOS17, iPadOS 17, WatchOS 10, and TVOS 17.
iPhone 15 Pricing
The improved camera is one of the reasons Apple is also expected to raise the prices of the Pro and Pro Max. The iPhone 14 Pro starts at USD 1,000 while the Pro Max starts at USD 1,100. Analysts think the iPhone 15 versions of those models may cost an additional USD 100 to 200, testing how much consumers are willing to pay for the devices at a time when post-pandemic inflation has been squeezing more household budgets.
The iPhone 15 price in India could be slightly higher than the iPhone 14 which was launched at a starting price of Rs.79,900. The Pro models are likely to be priced much higher.
Apple in a mild slump
The big showcase at Apple's Cupertino California headquarters comes at a time when the company is mired in a mild slump that has seen its sales drop from last year in three consecutive quarters - with the management signalling that another downturn is likely during the current quarter that will be capped with the release of its iPhone 15 lineup.
The malaise is a key reason Apple's stock price has dipped by nearly 10 per cent since mid-July, dropping the company's market value below the USD 3 trillion threshold it reached for the first time earlier this summer.
(With inputs from agencies)
