*Apple's "Awe dropping" event is scheduled for 10:00am PST on Tuesday, September 09.*

Once again, I'm firing up my MacBook to put together my annual September iPhone/Apple Watch Bingo board, featuring picks based on rumours and my wild wishes about what Apple will unveil at the event.

The iPhone is Apple's biggest product, and so it stands that their iPhone event is their most important event of the year. This time, rumours point to a completely redesigned, ultra-thin iPhone debuting alongside the iPhone 17, Pro, and Pro Max. It's exciting not just because we're getting a brand-new model, but because this ultra-thin design might hint at Apple's approach for its first foldable iPhone, possibly arriving as soon as next year. As always, we can also expect Apple Watch updates, a chance of new AirPods, and surprise software features kept under wraps until showtime.

The predictions for this board were collected between August 13 and September 04, and finalized on September 05, 2025.

BINGO 101

Winning in Bingo means completing a specific pattern on your card, in this case, a row, column, diagonal, or the entire card. The "Good Morning Free Space" in the centre is already marked and can be part of any winning pattern.

BINGO BOARD

PNG | PDF | Printer-Friendly PDF

The Bingo Board is available to download as a PNG or PDF, and I've added a more printer-friendly PDF so you don't end up using all your toner printing this card (but if you're at work during the event, you have my permission to print the full-colour PDF).

Picks Explained

Ultrathin "iPhone 17 Air" Announced

This one feels nearly certain: Apple is expected to unveil an all-new, ultrathin iPhone that the online community has widely dubbed the iPhone Air. The device is set to claim the title of Apple's thinnest iPhone ever, surpassing the iPhone 6's 6.9 mm record. Reports suggest it could dip below 6 mm in thickness, making it only slightly thicker than the 13-inch iPad Pro, Apple's slimmest product at 5.1 mm. This iPhone is also expected to feature a single camera, a titanium body, the A19 chip, an Apple modem, and a 6.6-inch display. It's expected to be a new offering alongside the standard iPhone 17 and the existing Pro lineup.

iPhone Plus discontinued

Rumour has it (ooh-ooh… 🎶) that Apple's three-year fling with the iPhone Plus might be ending this year. First, they went smaller with the introduction of the iPhone mini in 2020, a phone that was clearly ahead of its time. Then they swung the other way, sizing up the standard iPhone with the Plus in 2022, but that experiment hasn't seemed to have landed either. It appears that Apple will offer a standard one-size iPhone 17, a mid-sized ultrathin iPhone, and then maintain the Pro in its standard Pro and Pro Max size classes.

AirPods Pro 3 Announced

AirPods Pro 2 were announced two years ago at Apple's September iPhone event, and we may see the third iteration of these fantastic earbuds get unveiled during this year's event.

New sensors, such as heart rate monitoring similar to what Apple debuted with the Powerbeats Pro 2, and possibly temperature detection, could be announced, along with ANC upgrades and the potential for on-device live translation. All of these changes hint at a substantial upgrade for the AirPods Pro, which is one of the products Apple seems most fervent on keeping on the cutting edge of technological and health advancements.

Event runtime: +95 minutes

Each year, I predict the runtime of the Apple event. For the last eight iPhone events, the average length has hovered around 94 minutes (significantly shorter for online vs. in-person events). This year, I took the average (94 minutes) and chose the over, predicting that this event would be ever-so-slightly longer than the hour-and-a-half average, particularly because I expect Apple to introduce a new iPhone tier.

2024 Apple Event was 99 minutes
2023 Apple Event was 83 minutes
2022 Apple Event was 95 minutes
2021 Apple Event was 79 minutes
2020 Apple Event was 71 minutes
2019 Apple Event was 102 minutes
2018 Apple Event was 107 minutes
2017 Apple Event was 116 minutes

Ultra Series 3 gets a Larger Display

Last year, we didn't receive an Apple Watch Ultra Series 3; instead, we got a Series 2 in a new colour. This year's reports suggest that the Ultra 3 will undergo a significant upgrade, with one notable feature being a larger display: 422 x 514, up from the current Ultra resolution of 410 x 502. My guess? The bump in resolution comes from slimmer bezels rather than a bigger chassis.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Gets Satellite Connectivity

Given Apple's positioning of the Ultra as a rugged, outdoor companion, rumours suggest it may gain Emergency Satellite Messaging, a feature introduced on the iPhone in 2022. With multiple reports of satellite connectivity already saving lives, adding it to the Ultra would make for a highly compelling upgrade in the next iteration.

Apple’s Modem Expands to More iPhone Models

Apple introduced its first in-house modem, C1, when it debuted the iPhone 16e earlier this year. One of the most significant advantages of their own modem technology is that it results in dramatically improved power consumption, approximately 20–25% lower than that of the Qualcomm chips. This efficiency improves battery life, making it a perfect fit for Apple to incorporate it into their new iPhones, particularly the ultrathin model expected to debut. Rumours still suggest that the regular & Pro models will maintain the use of Qualcomm chips (for now), but that leaves the iPhone Air potentially adopting Apple's new cellular modem.

A Location is Accessed via Whimsical Transition

*The whale lurking inside the fountain at Apple Park, at least according to the* *2021 Spring Loaded event*.

In addition to the expected drone footage around Apple Park, at some point, we'll transition from one place to the next via a fancy corridor, a tricked-out golf cart, an escape hatch, a portal, or a secret underground tunnel accessed via the fountain inside the courtyard of Apple Park.

Finewoven 2.0?

In 2023, Apple replaced leather with FineWoven, a product that almost instantly earned the scorn of many consumers for how easily it showed staining and how prone it was to scratching and discolouration. Moreover, the case never felt premium, despite Apple's insistence on charging high premiums for it. So, it wasn't surprising that a year later, Apple discontinued FineWoven and focused solely on silicone case offerings. However, a new rumour has emerged that Apple is expected to announce a new, tweaked fabric case at this year's event.

Please don't come at me, but I didn't mind FineWoven. Sure, it was too expensive and not nearly as attractive as leather, but the pile-on about how terrible it was may have been slightly overblown.

Hypertension Monitoring on Apple Watch

Rumours suggest Apple has been developing blood pressure monitoring for the Apple Watch. But instead of providing precise systolic and diastolic readings, the feature is expected to take a more ambient approach, similar to how the Apple Watch already monitors temperature and sleep apnea, tracking trends over time and alerting users to abnormal patterns that may signal hypertension.

Apple Announces an Updated HomePod mini

Released in October 2020, the HomePod mini has gone 1,800 days without an update, although, as the owner of three of them, it hasn't really needed one. A newer processor, along with updated Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband chip, and Wi-Fi, could keep the product relevant in Apple's audio/home strategy. Oh, and some new colours while we're at it.

New Apple Watch SE Announced

Apple last updated the Apple Watch SE in 2022, and the product has remained unchanged for over 1,000 days. There have been rumours that Apple is working to lower the cost and has considered switching to a plastic casing with more colourful offerings, but we've seen nothing to date, and those rumours have largely petered out. However, I expect a chip & modest feature update at this year's event to keep this product fresh for potential buyers.

Redesigned iPhone 17 Pro Camera Bar

For years, the iPhone's camera bump has occupied the upper-left corner, steadily increasing in size with each generation. This year, it's expected to span the entire width of the phone, a massive, protruding camera mesa, if you will. By shifting more of the hardware into this bar, Apple may free up space in the main body for a larger battery and, ideally, create room for further photographic enhancements (e.g., increased tetraprism optical zoom) to the lenses.

iPhone 17 Gets ProMotion Display

ProMotion, Apple's 120Hz display technology, first appeared in 2017 but was introduced to the iPhone Pro lineup in 2021. The standard iPhone, meanwhile, has maintained its 60Hz refresh rate for nearly two decades. That could soon change, as rumours suggest Apple may finally bring ProMotion to the iPhone 17.

iPhone 17 by Day & iPhone 17 Pro by Night

*Since shifting to virtual events in 2020, Apple has often staged its iPhone launches with a split approach: the mainline models debuting in daylight, and the Pro lineup revealed under the night sky.*

For years, Apple has been debuting the standard iPhone in full glory of the California sun, only to switch to nightfall and have Joz announce the Pro lineup. I'm confident we'll see the same pattern repeat in 2025.

Pro iPhones Return to Aluminium Case

Titanium arrived on the iPhone in 2023, replacing the stainless steel casing used on previous Pro models. The shift was significant; stainless steel was durable but noticeably heavier than the aluminum housings that came before it. Titanium struck the perfect balance: strong yet lightweight. I've really enjoyed it over the past two years, but now rumours suggest Apple may return to aluminum for the Pro line, keeping titanium exclusive to their new ultrathin iPhone.

A Pro iPhone Gets a 48MP Telephoto Camera

Apple updated the main camera on the Pro phones from 12 to 48MP back in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro. Then, last year, they introduced the 48MP higher resolution to the Ultra Wide camera. And this year, rumours are suggesting that Apple will also update the telephone lens to a 48MP sensor. And with all that extra space in the new camera mesa, we might even see improved optical zoom come to the Pro phones too.

Reverse Wireless Charging Comes to 17 Pro Lineup

Not a necessity, but certainly a nicety: Apple should let the iPhone reverse-charge accessories like AirPods. Technically, the feature already exists; back in 2022, the MagSafe Battery Pack could recharge when connected to an iPhone. But Apple has never extended that capability beyond its own battery pack. With the Pro models' larger batteries, this feels like the kind of subtle addition that could quietly sweeten the appeal of upgrading.

iPhone Lineup has Staggered Release Dates

Although it hasn't happened often, I wonder if Apple will stagger the release of the iPhone models this year, releasing the regular iPhone 17 and 17 Pro variations on one date while waiting to launch their ultra-thin iPhone a week or two later. As of early September, I haven't seen any rumours to suggest this, so consider this my complete wildcard pick.

iPhone Air Measures 5.5mm Thick

Apple's rumoured ultrathin iPhone could be Cupertino's slimmest yet. The iPhone has only once dipped below 7 mm, the iPhone 6, at 6.9mm, but since then, thickness has inched upward, with the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro now at 7.8mm and 8.25mm. This ultrathin iPhone is now expected to be in the sub-6mm range, and although it won't quite match the 5.1mm thickness of the M4 iPad Pro, it could land close to being one of Apple’s thinnest product ever, rivalling the 5.4mm iPod nano (6th and 7th generation).

Apple Recaps Liquid Glass UI Changes in iOS 26

In the tech community, it's easy to forget we live in an echo chamber. Liquid Glass, first unveiled at WWDC 25, already feels like old news to us. But for many, this keynote will be their first real introduction to Apple's redesign. That's why I expect Apple will spend part of the presentation revisiting the philosophy behind Liquid Glass and walking through some of the UI changes making their way into iOS 26.

iPhone 17 Pro Comes in Orange.

For as long as the iPhone Pro line has existed, its colour palette has leaned toward the… restrained. While the regular iPhones have strutted out in Aquamarine, Teal, Yellow, Pink, Purple, Green, and Product(RED), the Pros have mostly shown up in their favourite shade of grey: Silver (grey), Natural Titanium (darker grey), White Titanium (really light grey), and Black Titanium (really dark grey). Sure, we’ve had Deep Purple (aubergine), Desert Titanium (warm grey), and Alpine Green, but those were still muted, darker options compared to their more colourful siblings.

Based on the rumours, Apple might buck this trend and let a little bit of fun leak into the Pro lineup with the introduction of a bold and saturated Orange iPhone. Likely not for me (I’m a Silver iPhone guy), but judging by the buzz online, this could be a popular colour and a refreshing change, finally letting a little actual colour seep into the Pro lineup.

AirPods Pro 3 Feature a Heart Rate Sensor

Earlier this year, Apple… well, technically Beats… rolled out the Powerbeats Pro 2, complete with optical heart rate sensors. It's easy to imagine Apple bringing that same technology to AirPods Pro 3, providing users with another way to track their heart rate, especially those who don't wear an Apple Watch but still want this health data from their workouts and activities.

One More Thing…

In the Tim Cook era, Apple has rarely used Steve Jobs' iconic "One More Thing…" teaser, which was last used at WWDC23 to announce the Apple Vision Pro. Before that, it was during the launch of the Apple Silicon Macs in 2020, back in 2017 with the introduction of the iPhone X, 2015 with Apple Music, and 2014 in previewing the Apple Watch. I'd say it's time again to flex those famous words before Apple unveils their ultrathin iPhone.

References

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-08-24/apple-to-launch-iphone-17-pro-iphone-17-air-in-september-iphone-fold-next-year-mepmzpcj

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/05/apple-watch-ultra-3-display-size/

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/01/apple-watch-ultra-3-finally-coming-2025/

https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/25/apples-c1-is-coming-to-this-product-next-and-skipping-the-rest/

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/19/apple-to-introduce-finewoven-successor/

https://9to5mac.com/2025/08/15/apple-watch-series-11-three-new-features-coming-next-month/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-05/what-apple-is-planning-to-introduce-at-sept-9-awe-dropping-iphone-17-event?embedded-checkout=true

Awe Dropping Apple Event bingo