Apple's big iPhone 8 event will have much more than just new iPhones
Apple's next iPhones are almost here.
We're just days away from what will be Apple's most anticipated reveal in recent memory. On Tuesday morning, CEO Tim Cook will take the stage at the company's Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino and show off three new iPhones.
We'll also get our first look at the next Apple Watch, Apple TV, and hear the latest updates on iOS and macOS High Sierra.
Beyond that, the event carries special meaning for Apple. Not only is it the company's first public event in the theatre named for its storied founder, it's also the 10-year anniversary of the original iPhone launch. Given that extra significance, we could be in for a tribute to that original launch or to Jobs himself.
iPhone 8 or iPhone Edition?
There's no question this is Apple's most anticipated iPhone yet. The company's been trying to keep its exact details under wraps, so of course we have a pretty solid idea of what it's going to look like, thanks to a never-ending stream of leaks and rumors.
Physically, it's expected to be about the same size as an iPhone 7, but with an edge-to-edge OLED display that's bigger than what is currently on the iPhone 7 Plus. It won't have a home button or Touch ID, and will likely use some kind of facial recognition tech to unlock.
Wireless and rapid-charging will be supported, and it will have dual rear-facing cameras -- likely equipped with a depth sensor to better enable all those new augmented reality apps. It will probably come in a new color and cost at least $1,000, maybe much more.
One thing we still aren't sure of, though, is the name.
Though most people, us included, have been calling it the iPhone 8, there's a good chance Apple will eschew its typical naming conventions given that this phone marks the tenth anniversary of the original iPhone. iPhone X, iPhone Edition, and iPhone Pro have all been posited.
As we get closer to the reveal, iPhone Edition is looking more and more likely but, as with so many Apple rumors, it's hard to say with any certainty (my favorite dark horse candidate is still, simply, iPhone.)
iPhone 7S + iPhone 7S Plus
Again, we can't be sure of the name as some reports have indicated the iPhone 7's immediate successor will be called "iPhone 8." Regardless of what it's called, this pair of phones will be much closer to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
The displays will likely be the same as the iPhone 7 line -- no edge-to-edge display here. Though it'd be tempting to think of these phones as the compromise buy compared with the third ultra-premium iPhone, there will be some noticeable improvements.
The 7S and 7S Plus are expected to ship with the same rapid and wireless charging as the iPhone 8, but other than that it's unlikely to be a major departure from the iPhone 7. It will have an LCD display, a home button, dual rear-facing cameras, and a starting price similar to that of the iPhone 7.
It probably won't come in any new colors, and may not even be available with a rose gold or jet black finish.
Apple Watch Series 3
While the three new iPhones will likely hog much of the spotlight on Tuesday, there's other new hardware to look forward to, including what is likely a new Apple Watch. While it's not usually the company's sexiest product, Series 3 sounds like it's set to be a big revamp.
Series 3 sounds like it's set to be a big revamp
Most significantly, Apple is expected to add LTE connectivity to its wearable, marking the first time the Apple Watch can truly be independent of your iPhone. This could also have big implications for its fitness-tracking abilities, which we learned more about when Men's Health visited Apple's testing lab.
Apple will launch watchOS 4 alongside its new wearable, and it features a new mode for high intensity interval training. The new OS will even be able to connect directly to some types of gym equipment.
On the outside, the new Apple Watch could have a new screen design, if Apple-watcher John Gruber's sources are to be believed (Gruber himself says he "wouldn't bet the house" on the rumor, so, grain of salt). But if turns out to be correct, it'd be the first major redesign since Apple first launched its watch in 2015.
4K Apple TV
As if a new Apple Watch and three-piece set of iPhones isn't enough, we're also due for a new Apple TV. Here, it's not the design of the set-top box that has us excited (though expect it to at least be slimmer and speedier than the current 4th gen model released back in 2015).
The latest box will finally add support for 4K and HDR content. Given that there's more 4K content available than ever (and HDR is slowly gaining ground), this will be a very welcome (and, frankly, overdue) update.
macOS High Sierra and iOS 11
Apple's fall launch isn't all about the hardware. MacOS High Sierra, which comes with a nicely revamped Photos app and a ton of under-the-hood improvements, will likely make its official debut.
Likewise, it looks like iOS 11 will finally be ready for everyone. We know most of what's in the update, thanks to months of beta builds, but there are still a few unknowns. Apple has yet to reveal the specifics of its P2P messaging service for its Messages app, beyond what we briefly saw on the WWDC stage.
And while we we've seen a lot of ARKit-enabled augmented reality apps, there's still a lot we haven't heard about yet. Exactly how the new iPhone cameras will enhance iOS' augmented reality features is also unclear.
As always with Apple, nothing is certain until Tim Cook steps onto that stage. A few surprises are always on the table. Check back this Tuesday for Mashable's live coverage from Cupertino.
Karissa was Mashable's Senior Tech Reporter, and is based in San Francisco. She covers social media platforms, Silicon Valley, and the many ways technology is changing our lives. Her work has also appeared in Wired, Macworld, Popular Mechanics, and The Wirecutter. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding and watching too many cat videos on Instagram. Follow her on Twitter @karissabe.
