Apple's iPhone 6 event: What to expect in phones, wearables

As the date approaches for Apple to unveil its latest devices at an event scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 9, rumors have been swirling about new iPhones, a new wearable device, and features like digital payments and health tracking technology.

"There could be two iPhone 6's," said CNET senior writer Shara Tibken, adding that industry watchers expect to see phones with a 4.7-inch screen as well as a 5.5-inch "phablet."

Realeasing a device that is equal parts phone and tablet would place Apple squarely in Samsung territory, after that company popularized larger phones like the Galaxy line.

Apple's new phones may also offer near-field communication, or NFC -- a technology that enables mobile payments. However, this could raise security concerns among many users in the wake of the recent iCloud photo hacking incident.

"You're not going to use your phone to buy anything if you don't think your data is secure," Tibken said.

Tuesday's event will be held near Apple's headquarters at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California, where Apple has been busy building an adjacent structure.

The venue also holds sentimental value, as this is where Steve Jobs introduced the original Mac in 1984. Could that be a sign that an entirely new device will be born?

"The odds are pretty good that we're going to see a wearable at the show," Tibken said.

If Apple does indeed unveil a wearable -- unofficially dubbed the iWatch -- it will be competing with brands like Samsung and Motorola, which just introduced its Moto 360 round smartwatch on Friday. Despite much excitement about wearables in the industry, smartwatches have not yet caught on in a big way with mainstream consumers, though Apple certainly must be hoping to change that.

You can watch the Apple event live on Tuesday beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern/10 a.m. Pacific, or follow CNET's live blog of it here.