On September 6, 2024, Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event was three days away. The final rumor cycle centered on an upgraded iPhone 16 Pro ultrawide camera, 4K/120fps video, a new camera button, and sleep-apnea notifications for Apple Watch Series 10. Apple’s September 9 announcements showed that most of the important predictions were broadly right—but one major expectation, the Apple Watch Ultra 3, was not.
This is a retrospective audit of what was reported before the event, what Apple announced, and what buyers could actually get when the products reached stores on September 20.
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What the September 6 episode actually covered
The September 6, 2024 episode of 9to5Mac Daily listed four relevant stories:
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- Reports that the iPhone 16 Pro could record 4K video at 120 frames per second.
- Details about the new iPhone camera button, referred to before launch as the Capture Button or Camera Button.
- Bloomberg-reported expectations that sleep-apnea functionality would be the major new Apple Watch Series 10 health feature.
These were pre-announcement reports, not Apple specifications. The distinction matters: rumor-era names and expectations do not always survive an Apple launch unchanged.
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iPhone 16 Pro: the camera rumors
A 48-megapixel ultrawide camera
The strongest camera prediction was that both iPhone 16 Pro models would receive a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera. The claim, reported in the wider iPhone 16 rumor roundup, was significant because the ultrawide camera is commonly used for indoor photographs, landscapes and macro-style shots.
A higher-resolution ultrawide camera can provide more detail, greater cropping flexibility and—depending on the sensor, optics and image processing—better results in difficult light. It does not guarantee a better photograph in every situation. Sensor size, lens quality, stabilization, noise reduction and exposure decisions remain just as important as the headline megapixel count. The benefit is most obvious to photographers who use the 0.5× camera frequently or edit their images heavily.
The prediction was broadly accurate: Apple announced upgraded Pro camera capabilities, including the higher-resolution ultrawide system. Users interested in 48-megapixel ProRAW ultrawide images were a more specialized audience; ProRAW files also demand substantially more storage and are most useful when the owner intends to edit them.
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4K video at 120 frames per second
The 9to5Mac episode also highlighted the report that the iPhone 16 Pro would shoot 4K video at 120fps. Apple ultimately included 4K/120fps recording among the Pro video capabilities, making this one of the clearest last-minute predictions to come true.
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At 120fps, footage can be played back more slowly for smooth slow-motion effects. The trade-off is file size: 4K high-frame-rate video consumes storage quickly and places heavier demands on the phone’s processor, battery and thermal system. Serious users should also consider editing-app support, backup capacity and whether their chosen codec and shooting mode support the desired frame rate. It is a meaningful upgrade for videographers, but not a reason by itself for every casual iPhone owner to choose a Pro model.
The rumored camera button became Camera Control
Pre-event reports described a new button on the side of every iPhone 16 model. The expected behavior included launching the camera, focusing with a light press, taking a photograph with a harder press, and using a swipe gesture to adjust zoom. Some reports called it the Capture Button or Camera Button.
Apple’s official name was Camera Control. Apple included it across the iPhone 16 lineup and positioned it as both a physical camera control and a gateway to visual-intelligence features. The naming changed, but the central prediction was accurate.
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This is more than a new shortcut. A dedicated control can make the phone feel closer to a compact camera, particularly when the user wants to open the camera quickly or operate it without reaching for an on-screen control. Its value depends on personal habits: people who rarely use the camera may notice it less than photographers, while users who prefer physical controls may find it one of the lineup’s most practical changes.
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- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Larger iPhone 16 Pro displays
Pre-event coverage expected the Pro models to grow from approximately 6.1 and 6.7 inches to roughly 6.3 and 6.9 inches. Apple confirmed larger displays for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The extra screen area is useful for video, gaming, photo editing and reading. It also increases the one-handed-use trade-off. Larger phones can be more awkward to grip, and buyers should account for the final case dimensions rather than judging the device by screen size alone. A larger panel does not automatically make every app more productive if text and interface scaling remain unchanged.
Apple Watch Series 10: the predictions
The main Series 10 expectations were a noticeably thinner case, larger display options and the first substantial design change since the Series 7 generation. Reports also pointed to sleep-apnea detection or notifications as the headline health feature.
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Apple confirmed the thinner design and larger display, along with faster charging, depth sensing and temperature sensing. Apple also announced sleep-apnea notifications. That wording is important: the rumor phrase “sleep-apnea detection” became the more qualified official description of a notification feature.
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- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
A notification is not a medical diagnosis. It should not be treated as a replacement for a sleep study, clinical evaluation or advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Availability and operation can depend on region, regulatory status, software, age and Apple’s stated usage conditions. Anyone who receives a concerning notification should discuss it with a clinician rather than relying on the watch alone.
What happened to the Apple Watch Ultra 3?
This was the major miss in the final rumor cycle. A September 6 MacRumors report, summarizing Mark Gurman’s expectations, pointed to an Apple Watch Ultra 3 with mainly internal improvements.
Apple did not announce an Ultra 3. Instead, it introduced a black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2. The product was an updated finish for the existing Ultra 2 generation, not a new Ultra-branded generation. Any retrospective account that calls this event’s product an Ultra 3 is repeating the pre-event rumor rather than the final result.
For buyers, the distinction was practical. Series 10 was the choice for a thinner, lighter everyday watch and the new display and health features. Ultra 2 remained the rugged, longer-battery-life option. Apple cited up to 36 hours of regular use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode for Ultra 2; those are “up to” figures, and actual endurance varies with settings and usage.
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Hypertension detection and Apple Intelligence
Hypertension monitoring was reported as delayed
Pre-event reporting said Apple had planned hypertension detection but that it had been delayed. This was a reported expectation, not an Apple-confirmed promise for 2024 and not evidence of permanent cancellation. It should also be kept separate from the sleep-apnea notifications that Apple did announce.
No major standalone Apple Intelligence feature for Apple Watch
The rumor-era expectation was that Apple Watch would not receive major standalone Apple Intelligence capabilities, although a future AI-assisted health-coach service was discussed as a possibility. Apple’s launch materials instead emphasized Apple Intelligence for the iPhone 16 family and watchOS 11 health and fitness features for Apple Watch. A speculative future health-coach concept should not be described as a shipped watch product.
Apple Intelligence availability was also staged through software updates rather than being fully available everywhere on launch day. Buyers needed to distinguish the hardware announcement from the later software rollout, as well as account for language, region and device-support limitations.
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| September 6 prediction | Final outcome | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro ultrawide camera upgrade | Apple announced upgraded Pro camera capabilities, including the higher-resolution ultrawide system. | Broadly accurate |
| 4K/120fps video on iPhone 16 Pro | Apple included 4K/120fps recording among the Pro video features. | Accurate |
| New Capture or Camera Button | Apple introduced Camera Control across the iPhone 16 lineup. | Accurate; final name changed |
| Larger Pro displays | Apple confirmed larger displays for the Pro models. | Accurate |
| Thinner Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple described Series 10 as its thinnest Apple Watch design. | Accurate |
| Sleep-apnea detection | Apple announced sleep-apnea notifications, subject to stated limitations and availability. | Accurate in substance; official wording was narrower |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Apple released a black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2. | Wrong or superseded |
| Hypertension detection | It was reported as delayed; Apple did not announce it as a 2024 feature. | Unconfirmed and delayed |
| Major Apple Intelligence features on Apple Watch | Apple highlighted iPhone Apple Intelligence and watchOS health and fitness features instead. | Not a central shipped feature |
The launch timeline
- September 6, 2024: final pre-event rumor coverage, including the 9to5Mac Daily episode.
- September 9, 2024: Apple announced the iPhone 16 family, Apple Watch Series 10 and black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2.
- September 13, 2024: iPhone pre-orders began.
- September 20, 2024: the products reached Apple Stores and other retail markets worldwide, according to Apple’s launch announcement.
What buyers should have done
If you were considering an iPhone 16
- Wait for final specifications if the ultrawide camera or 4K/120fps recording mattered to you.
- Choose the Pro models for the more advanced camera and video capabilities; casual users may care more about Camera Control, the A18 chip, the Action button and Apple Intelligence compatibility.
- Plan storage before buying if you intended to record substantial 4K/120fps footage.
- Choose between the larger Pro Max and the more manageable Pro size with one-handed use and case size in mind.
If you were considering an Apple Watch
- Choose Series 10 for the thinner profile, larger display, faster charging and new health features.
- Choose Ultra 2 for rugged construction, outdoor-oriented features and longer battery claims—not because an Ultra 3 was expected.
- Treat sleep-apnea notifications as a screening aid, not a diagnosis.
- Check band compatibility when moving to a new case size, and verify cellular support with your carrier and region.
Apple’s direct launch channel also offered trade-in, financing and carrier promotions, but those September 2024 offers were time-limited and should not be mistaken for current pricing or availability.
Final verdict
The September 6 rumor coverage was strongest on the iPhone 16 Pro camera changes, 4K/120fps video, Camera Control and the Series 10 redesign. It was broadly right about the sleep-related health feature, although Apple’s final term—sleep-apnea notifications—was more precise than “detection.” The clear correction is the Apple Watch Ultra: no Ultra 3 arrived at the event; Apple released a black titanium Ultra 2 instead.
For a buyer waiting in September 2024, the sensible approach was to wait for Apple’s final specifications, then choose based on actual camera, display, health and battery needs rather than on the most ambitious rumor.
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