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What To Expect At Apple’s Upcoming “Wonderlust” Event
Tuesday’s big event will include a new range of iPhones, Apple Watches, and more.
Even though we’re all pretty used to Apple’s yearly iPhone reveals, it’s hard not to get excited when the Cupertino company drops the date for its annual fall press conference.
This year, the September 12 event will be known as “Wonderlust” and will herald the arrival of the latest iPhone 15 series, comprising the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Along with new smartphones, the electronics giant may announce a slew of other products, though pundits are reasonably confident that we can only expect minor Apple Watch and Airpod upgrades.
Here’s what we know so far:
iPhone 15 Models
The biggest news about this year’s iPhone 15 upgrade is that all models will likely lose their Lightning Connectors in place of USB-C. Apple will almost certainly tout the benefits of the industry-standard connector, but the reality is that the European Union has forced the company to comply with its legislation on electronic waste.
Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that only the higher-end Pro models will get the faster USB-C data transfer speeds and 35W charging, with “lesser” models throttled to USB 2.0 levels.
Meanwhile, the screen sizes of the various devices will likely remain the same as last year’s models. That means a 6.1-inch screen for the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro and 6.7-inch displays for the iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro Max (which may be renamed “Ultra”). ProMotion 120Hz variable refresh rates will almost certainly remain exclusive to the high-end models.
Dynamic Island — the display cutout that premiered on the iPhone 14 Pro models — is expected to carry over to all handsets for the iPhone 15. However, Pro models could receive a premium upgrade in the form of a titanium chassis with thinner screen bezels.
We’ve also seen leaks of dummy iPhone 15 handsets in the last few days. These replicas are used by case manufacturers to produce products of the correct size before the launch of the real thing. So far, journalists have noticed rounded corners that give an “Apple Watch look” to the iPhone 15. Meanwhile, Pro models also look like they will benefit from a programmable Apple-watch-esq “Action Button” that will replace the mute switch.
Regarding camera upgrades, we expect iterative changes to this year’s phones. However, many experts believe that the iPhone 15 Pro Max (or Ultra) will sport a brand-new periscope lens with an optical zoom that doubles the capability of the existing model.
Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra And AirPods
As for the rest of Apple’s lineup, we’re expecting only minor updates. It’s doubtful we’ll see new iPads or Macs, but Apple Watches will likely receive a slight processor and feature spec bump, while Airpods may be upgraded to USB-C to match the new iPhones.
Software Updates
One final thing worth sticking around for will be Apple’s software announcement. We expect to hear details of iOS 17, WatchOS 10 and perhaps even iPadOS 17.
iOS 17 will include a new StandBy mode, voicemail transcriptions, FaceTime video voicemails, contact posters, NameDrop and more. WatchOS 10 will see a more significant update with big changes to the control scheme and a customizable stack of easy-to-view widgets.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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