iPhone XS, Apple Watch 4, Mac Mini: Everything you need to know about Wednesday’s Apple event

Apple is set to announce a whole new slate of products on Wednesday, including updates to the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac lines. Here's a roundup of what we've heard might come across the Steve Jobs Theatre stage this year.

Three new iPhones

​Yes, you read that right. This year, Apple is slated to release three new iPhone models to appease users on all sides, from those who want new tech to others who just want to be able to afford a new phone.

If the recent leaks are to be believed, the iPhone X will be getting an update in Apple's so-called S year in the form of the 5.8-inch iPhone XS, and the 6.5-inch XS Plus (or Max, according to a leak supposedly from Apple itself).

The two models will be available in silver, black and gold, hinted at by Apple itself with the golden theme of this year's invites to the Wednesday 12 September event. Additionally, the XS Plus/Max will be Apple's biggest ever iPhone.

The third new model could be a budget edition of the iPhone X, acting as somewhat of a halfway point between its predecessor and the successful iPhone 8. Some have nicknamed it the iPhone 9, or the 8S, but in truth, we don't know what it'll be called.

What we do think we know is that it'll come in several different colours, in a similar style to the iPhone 5C, and have just one rear-facing camera and an LCD screen in order to bring down the price point.

Updates to the iPad

​While the regular iPad and iPad Mini ranges might be staying still for now, the rumour mill has churned out images and information leaks of a 2018 update to the iPad Pro.

The new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro could launch by the end of the year, meaning they may not make it into the September event, but nonetheless it's good to have on the radar. 

Image leaks suggest the iPad will also lose its home button, as the iPhone X did, although the screen won't be edge-to-edge so there won't be a notch for the front-facing cameras that power Face ID.

It could also stand to lose its headphone jack, and be shaped with new squared-off flat sides instead of the rounded edges we've come to expect.

Apple Watch Series 4

As the first re-designed Apple Watch, we almost know 100 per cent for certain that Apple will be releasing a Series 4 this September due to regulatory filing requirements in Europe for encrypted devices.

Images leaked from Apple by 9to5Mac show the Apple Watch will finally get a screen that is nearly edge-to-edge, and lose some of that extra bezel weight, with 15 per cent larger displays rumoured for both sizes of the watch.

The watch face itself will also undergo a revamp, showing more information than current displays, with a total of eight pieces of data, like the date and temperature, around the time on its analog version.

Star analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a habit of being right about these things, has predicted the new models will feature improved heart-rate detection for extra fitness abilities. It'll also have better sleep-tracking, powered by Apple's acquisition of dreamland startup Beddit.

The Macs

In a long-overdue turn of events, Apple is rumoured to be providing an update to its 2014 Mac Mini this September. 

This is the version of the Mac base that doesn't come with a screen, keyboard or mouse and starts at £500. If you believe the analysts, Apple will be targeting the professional market with a refresh to add higher specs and, potentially, higher prices.

Additionally, reports at Bloomberg suggest there could be an 13-inch retina display update to the 12-inch entry-level Macbook, in a bid to refresh the current offering in comparison to the Macbook Air.

Extras

We could be finally getting the release of Apple's long-awaited Airpower this year, if you believe Barclays analysts. The multi-device charging pad was flaunted at last September's event, but never appeared.

If it does pop up, there's a strong chance we might also be getting some wireless-charging supported Airpods, too.

Apple's wireless headphones were featured in Airpower imagery as chargeable via the pad last year, but so far, no wireless charging function has been made available.

Leaked images from the iOS 12.5 beta showed an Airpods case with a charging LED on the front, giving weight to the idea that wireless charging may arrive for the headphones this week.