Apple to hold major event as it prepares for release of iPhone 12, new Apple Watch and iPads

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Apple will hold a major event next week, amid rumours that its new iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches are preparing to launch.

The event will happen on 15 September at 10am local time, or 1pm in the UK. 

It will be held on its campus at Apple Park, the company said, though it will be streamed online. It did not indicate what format the launch would take.

The invitation, however, made no reference to the iPhone 12, which has been rumoured to delay. As such, the event to release those new handsets could take place later in the month – or even after that.

Usually reliable Apple reporter Mark Gurman said that the iPhone announcement was not due to take place until “October”, and that this event would focus on “the iPad and Apple Watch in all likelihood”.

Apple has already warned that the release of the new iPhones could be delayed by “a few weeks” .

There was no mention or event hint of the iPhones in the invitations. Instead, they included a message that “time flies”, potentially indicating that the event will focus on a new Apple Watch.

Early leaks have suggested that the Apple Watch Series 6 could include improved battery life and better sleep tracking. WatchOS 7, which was unveiled in June, allows users to wear it as they sleep for extra tracking – but that feature does seem to suggest that extra battery life could be helpful.

Other rumours have indicated that the watch will include a pulse oximeter to measure blood oxygen levels. Such a feature is already present in some other smart watches, such as those made by Garmin, and can be used to alert their wearers to various problems – including potentially Covid-19.

Other rumours have suggested that the company could be preparing an updated iPad as well as AirPods that go over the head rather than in the ears.