Top Stories: 'Far Out' Apple Event Preview With iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Pro Rumors

September is here, and you know what that means: new iPhones and Apple Watches! Apple's upcoming media event was naturally the focus of attention this week, with last-minute rumors shaking up some of our expectations.

top stories 3sep2022
In addition to iPhone and Apple Watch rumors, we also saw signs that Apple is moving toward launching updated iPad Pro models (though next week's event might be a bit soon for that) while Samsung attempted to troll Apple with a new ad for its latest devices, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!

What to Expect From the September 7 Apple Event: iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8 and More

We're just days away from Apple's annual iPhone media event, and we've rounded up everything we expect to see or might see at Wednesday's "Far Out" event. From the iPhone 14 lineup and multiple new Apple Watch models to other possibilities, Apple will surely have a lot to show off.

What to Expect Thumb
Also make sure to check out the latest episode of The MacRumors Show podcast, with guest Sam Kohl where we similarly discuss expectations for next week's event.

As always, MacRumors will have in-depth coverage of Apple's event across our website, YouTube channel, @MacRumorsLive account on Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms, so be sure to follow us next week for a closer look at all of Apple's announcements.

iPhone 14 Pro Display Cutouts Said to Appear as Single Pill

iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to feature new pill-shaped and circular cutouts instead of a notch, but last-minute rumors this week have claimed that iOS 16 will make the cutouts appear as one wider pill-shaped cutout by displaying black pixels between them.

iPhone 14 Pro Long Pill Status Indicator Feature
According to an anonymous tipster in the MacRumors forums, the black space between the pill-shaped and circular cutouts on iPhone 14 Pro models will be used to display privacy indicators — the orange and green dots that indicate when an app is actively using the iPhone's camera and/or microphone.

While this tip has yet to be confirmed, it certainly would be a practical design choice and would closely mirror the bright green light that appears next to a Mac's webcam when it is being used.

Apple and Globalstar Rumored to Announce Satellite Connectivity Feature for iPhone 14

Apple may announce its long-rumored satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone 14 in partnership with Globalstar next month, according to Tim Farrar, a satellite communications consultant.

Apple Event Far Out Feature
In a series of tweets, Farrar said T-Mobile's and SpaceX's satellite connectivity announcement last week was likely intended to pre-empt Apple's announcement of its own satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone at its September 7 event, which features the tagline "Far Out" with starry sky artwork.

Apple has indeed completed testing of satellite connectivity on iPhone 14 models, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Samsung Throws Shade at Apple Ahead of iPhone 14 Launch

In a new ad ahead of the iPhone 14, Samsung mocked the lack of "innovation" on the iPhone while promoting features such as a 108-megapixel camera and 100x "Space Zoom" on its latest devices.

samsung galaxy s22 ultra z flip4
"This innovation is not coming soon to an ‌iPhone‌ near you," the ad quips, in reference to features already available on Samsung's flagship Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphone and foldable Z Flip4.

'Apple Watch Pro' Rumored to Feature Larger 47mm Case Size With Flat Display

The so-called "Apple Watch Pro" will feature a larger 47mm case size with a flat display, according to a recent report from Japanese website Mac Otakara. By comparison, all Apple Watch Series 7 models are available in 41mm and 45mm case sizes.

apple watch series 7 mystery feature
Other features expected for the "Apple Watch Pro" include a rugged design with a titanium case, longer battery life, an expanded Low Power Mode, an S8 chip, and more.

Major Retailer Preparing for Launch of 2022 iPad Pro Models

While the iPhone and Apple Watch are expected to be the focus of Apple's September event, rumors suggest the company will hold another event in October revolving around the iPad and Mac.

ipad pro m1 feature
Ahead of time, at least one major retailer appears to be preparing for the launch of new iPad Pro models, which are rumored to feature Apple's latest M2 chip, MagSafe wireless charging, and more.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Popular Stories

iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday March 31, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models. The new firmware is version 7E93, up from the 7B21 firmware that was installed on the AirPods Pro 2 and the 7B20 firmware available on the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in the new firmware, but we'll update this article should we find ...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

iPhones Could Cost Up to $2,300 in the U.S. Due to Tariffs, Analyst Says

Friday April 4, 2025 9:30 am PDT by
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that steep tariffs will be applied to imports from many countries, starting April 9. The tariffs could have a significant impact on Apple, as the company assembles the majority of iPhones in China, and products imported to the U.S. from China will be subject to a 54% tariff. iPhone prices could increase by up to 43% in the U.S. due to the...
Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Visa and American Express Vying to Win Apple Card Deal in 'Fierce' Fight

Tuesday April 1, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Visa wants to pay Apple approximately $100 million to be the new payment network for the Apple Card, reports The Wall Street Journal. As of right now, the Apple Card is on the Mastercard payment network, but that is set to change because Apple is ending its partnership with Goldman Sachs. Both American Express and Visa are vying to replace Mastercard as Apple's card services provider, while...

Top Rated Comments

Eldaerenth Faexidor Avatar
34 months ago
I hope there will still be a couple of surprises left for us during the keynote.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cromulent Avatar
34 months ago
Not much more to say on the subject now. We are so close to the event.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Allen_Wentz Avatar
34 months ago
My expectation is that Samsung throwing shade at Apple by bragging up 108 MP will backfire when real-world camera comparison testing between iP14 Pro and Samsung's latest are on the street. On DSLRs like my Nikon, 46 MP requires large expensive top-end lenses to optimize the 46 MP. Cell phone optics will be substantially exceeded by huge pixel counts, demanding extraordinary computational photography work by the camera system.

I will bet that 108 MP over 45 MP is actually more trouble than it is worth in a tiny cell phone camera as regards image capture optics, image data handling, etc. Real-world cellphone camera comparison testing will show us in a couple of weeks.

Edit: All other things being equal, more image data is always better. However, in photography all things are never, ever equal. With cellphone cameras the minuscule size of the optics and the cheap expenditure on the camera + lenses (good full size cameras with 40+ megapixels start at ~$3k before adding a lens) comprise extreme constraints.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arnold Ziffel Avatar
34 months ago
I’m waiting for a “one more thing” that is going to be a mechanical watch.

That would really shock everyone.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Allen_Wentz Avatar
34 months ago

Wow. It's almost like they're proud of the size of the camera bump! I mean, that has to be what "Far Out" is referring to, right? ?
Actually, folks conversant with photography and desirous of improving cellphone pix (me) may indeed perceive more camera bump as a good thing.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maternidad Avatar
34 months ago
Who wrote this story? Why is it hidden?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)