What to Anticipate from Apple According to Rumors Ahead of September 9

Apple has officially scheduled its fall keynote for September 9 at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, with speculation running high. As usual, the event invite doesn’t reveal much, but the Apple rumor mill is buzzing about what we can expect.

Here’s a summary of the most credible rumors, along with some wilder claims that may or may not come to fruition.

The Headliner: iPhone 17 (and a slim “Air” variant)

The most reliable prediction from tech sources (and Reuters)) is the release of the iPhone 17 lineup. The “headline feature,” if leaks are accurate, is a brand-new version: the iPhone 17 Air, intended to succeed the Plus model and measuring just 5.5 mm thick—the thinnest iPhone to date.

MacRumors shares the alleged specifications for the Air: featuring a titanium-aluminum chassis, a 6.6-inch ProMotion OLED display, a single 48MP rear camera, USB-C, eSIM-only model, Wi-Fi 7, and the latest A19 chip with 12 GB RAM. Hence, thin does not equate to underpowered.

Reverse wireless charging feature

If you opt for the premium models, you might enjoy the convenience of using your iPhone as a charging pad with a feature called “reverse wireless charging” or power sharing, according to Apple Insider.

If the rumors hold true, simply flip your phone over, place another device (like an Apple Watch or AirPods, or another phone) on its back, and your phone will transfer power using the same Qi wireless standard. This feature is convenient for charging accessories while on the move, though it is relatively slower and less effective than wired charging.

Android users might remind you that brands like Samsung and Google have offered this feature for many years.

AI improvements in Siri

It’s no surprise that Apple aims to show that “Apple Intelligence” isn’t a contradiction, aiming to incorporate generative AI without sacrificing privacy. Investor’s Business Daily suggests Apple may utilize Google’s Gemini AI to enhance Siri, a feature that lags behind Alexa or Google Assistant. The details on the AI integration remain uncertain, but Reuters reports that Siri is expected to take center stage.

Additional hardware: Watches, AirPods, Vision Pro

Apple typically doesn’t limit its September events to just smartphones. 9to5Mac indicates that new Apple Watch models—both Series 11 and Ultra 3—are likely to be announced, along with a next-gen AirPods Pro. A Vision Pro update could also make an appearance, but many sources suggest that anyone expecting AirPods Max 2 may be left disappointed.

Looking ahead to future releases

Multiple rumor sources are outlining Apple’s vision for the next three years of iPhone development. Tom’s Guide has reported that a foldable iPhone could arrive in 2026, and 2027 will reportedly see a significant “Liquid Glass” redesign for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary. Additionally, The Verge echoes the anticipation of the iPhone Air marking the beginning of a broader design transformation.

The final thoughts

For investors, the key takeaway may revolve around Apple’s ability to re-enter the AI domain. For consumers, since the passing of Apple’s dynamic co-founder, product launches have become predictably lackluster at best.

The fact that we can generate a discussion like this, with extensive coverage forecasting Apple’s moves—and much of it historically correct—is something that would have been unimaginable during Steve Jobs’ era. Well, almost unimaginable.