Apple Time Flies event: How to watch, what to expect on September 16

Apple has confirmed an event where it’s predicted the company will show off new devices, but it’s biggest seller is not expected to make an appearance.

Computing giant Apple is preparing to hold a special event early next Wednesday morning, but if you’re expecting to see a new iPhone unveiled you might be in for a disappointment.

While it’s possible Apple will show off the iPhone 12 at the event scheduled for 3am next Wednesday, the internet rumour mill is pointing instead to a new Apple Watch and iPad Air model.

Apple is subtly pointing that way too: the name of this Wednesday’s early morning event is “Time Flies”.

The next range of iPhones are expected to be delayed from their usual September release due to the coronavirus pandemic impacting on manufacturing partners, and it’s even been posited the full range won’t all release at the same time.

Leaked dummy models purporting to be some of the next iPhone models.

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Four new models of iPhone are expected, two “normal” models and two Pro models.

One of the base models and one of the Pro models are expected to share a 6.1-inch screen and it’s been theorised those two models could release ahead of the others.

According to tech analyst Jon Prosser, the iPhone is unlikely to appear at next week’s event however.

“When I told you Apple Watch was coming before iPhone 12, and not alongside it — most people thought that didn’t make any sense, but it looks like that’s what’s happening,” Mr Prosser wrote on Twitter following the event confirmation.

“iPhone 12 just isn’t ready yet,” he added.

The next iPad Air could ditch the home button in favour of a design like the iPad Pro.

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The iPad Air hasn’t been updated since March 2019, while the Apple Watch Series 5 released alongside the iPhone 11 models.

An updated iPad Air will reportedly ditch the home button, allowing for a bigger screen (predicted as 10.8-inch, the current model is 10.5-inch) and bringing it in line with the iPad Pro and newer iPhones (aside from the iPhone SE).

It’s been rumoured to also have a smart connector that might make it usable with 11-inch iPad Pro accessories like the $499 floating keyboard/trackpad that essentially turns it into a laptop.

Without a home button, the iPad Air might use the Face ID security on newer iPhones, or place a fingerprint Touch ID sensor under the screen.

The Apple Watch is also predicted to get an update.

An update to the Watch is predicted to have improved health tracking features, with tweaks to the electrocardiogram (ECG) and maybe even blood oxygen detection.

There might also be a cheaper, less capable version of the Watch announced, which would be a perfect compliment to the iPhone SE that launched in March.

Apple will livestream the event from 3am on Wednesday, September 16.

The company’s Events page should provide a stream of the event, as well as the Apple Events app on Apple TV if you have one.