Apple won't just unveil new iPhones at its September event. AirPods 5 headphones and an iPad mini OLED will also arrive soon

Apple has a busy start to autumn ahead, and announcements will certainly not be limited to phones. The main event, titled “Surprise and shine,” takes place on September 9, and the stars of the evening will be the foldable iPhone Ultra along with the standard iPhone 18 series. Alongside them, the Watch Series 12 and the more durable Watch Ultra 4 are also expected – and according to leaks, new AirPods 5 headphones will also be shown on stage.

What will the new AirPods 5 headphones bring?

AirPods 5 will be the direct successors to today’s AirPods 4 and are reportedly coming again in two versions – a base model and a version with active noise cancellation (ANC). If Apple sticks to its usual practice, pre-orders will start on the day of the unveiling, September 9, and the headphones will go on sale together with the iPhone 18s around September 18.

Changes are expected mainly internally. The headphones will reportedly adopt improved microphones and acoustics from the more expensive Pro series, which should result in clearer sound during calls and more accurate Siri comprehension. There is also speculation about the final arrival of Bluetooth LE Audio technology. However, headphones with a built-in camera for Siri, which have been discussed for a long time, will have to wait – according to leaks, they will arrive only in 2027.

Apple won't just unveil new iPhones at its September event. AirPods 5 headphones and an iPad mini OLED will also arrive soon Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

The good news is that prices should remain at current levels. However, if the manufacturer implements the new H3 audio chip, which is rumored, they would have a pretext to slightly increase prices.

The first iPad mini with an OLED display is coming soon

The second new product is the very first iPad mini with an OLED display. However, according to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, it won’t be unveiled in September – Apple will reportedly launch it separately in October, possibly just with a press release without its own event. It should go on sale by the end of October.

Reports from Korea also suggest that the launch is approaching, stating that Samsung Display has been manufacturing panels for the new iPad mini for several weeks. The OLED screen promises higher contrast and more accurate colors, and thanks to narrower bezels, the diagonal size could slightly increase. The question remains who will find the small tablet worthwhile when the foldable iPhone Ultra essentially combines a phone and a small iPad into one.

Internally, the older A17 Pro chip is expected to be replaced by the A19 Pro, which is the same processor as in the iPhone Air, but not the most powerful variant from the Pro models. Wi-Fi 7, improved water resistance, and longer battery life are also rumored to be added. This will be the first update to the iPad mini in two years – Apple last refreshed it in October 2024. However, with the improvements, the price will likely also increase.

Are you planning to get any of Apple’s autumn novelties – the new headphones or the OLED iPad mini?

Sources: Notebookcheck, Bloomberg, 9to5Mac