The Apple Event is now over. The Cupertino giant’s September conference is the most important event of the company this year. Again, this year’s conference was dominated by the latest models of the iPhone – the most important product in Apple’s portfolio. But there were also some interesting surprises.
The conference’s live coverage was viewed by more than a million users
This event began classically with Tim Cook, who delivered the message that Apple would be focusing on the presentation of the iPhone, Apple Watch and the new AirPods earphones, i.e. the most popular devices sold by Apple.
The conference started with a reminder of the biggest advantages of the ecosystem comprising the iPhone smartphone, Apple Watch and AirPods headphones. Apple shared feedback from happy Apple Watch users highlighting its health features
New Apple Watch
The Apple Watch has been the best-selling smartwatch for seven years. The new Series 8 model is set to continue this trend. While the watch looks the same as its predecessor – the case has remained unchanged. Series 8 has been given an improved case that is more resistant to heavy use.
A new feature of the Apple Watch Series 8 is a body temperature sensor. The watchOS will monitor changes in body temperature, notifying the user of large deviations from the base temperature. With this solution, colds and sudden deterioration can be detected.
Temperature changes are informed by special notifications displayed on the watch. Traditionally, all data is collected in Apple Health with high security standards. The data is all stored on the device and can be accessed once the user’s identity is confirmed. Data sent to iCloud will be encrypted using end-to-end encryption
A new security feature on the Apple Watch Series 8 can detect car accidents and notify emergency services automatically while sending the location of the accident. The new sensors in the watch’s casing are responsible for the function. These include a more powerful gyroscope and an overload sensor. The feature will detect accidents involving front, rear and side impacts, as well as rollovers.
Sadly, Apple has not upgraded the battery. Still the talk is of running for 18 hours. There is instead a new power saving mode, which on a fully charged battery will let it run for 36 hours without charging. This function will also appear on Series 4 and newer watches.
Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE has been updated after two years. This next generation did not receive the look of the Series 7 and Series 8 models.
However, the watch received all the features familiar from watchOS 9. Apple Watch SE has received the processor from Apple Watch Series 8. This cheaper version of Apple Watch is $20 less expensive than the previous generation from 2020.
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple first introduced a competitor to real sports smartwatches – Garmin Fenix or Polar. This new model is resistant to mechanical damage and has flat sapphire glass to protect the screen. This is also the largest Apple watch ever – the case is as large as 49 mm. On the case there is an extra button, which can be programmed according to your preferences.
This watch received an improved battery, which is said to last 36 hours and 60 hours in power-saving mode, coming in future updates. The entire design is rounded out by a new dial with additional information for active users. The Apple Watch Ultra is equipped with a new dual-band GPS module with higher accuracy.
This watch has received a number of new features for water sports enthusiasts, a rescue system that produces an alarm sound with a range of several hundred meters, and an improved water resistance of up to 100 meters.
Its suggested retail price is as high as $799. The Apple Watch Ultra is only available with a modem and a 49mm case size.
AirPods Pro
Apple has decided to launch the second generation of AirPods Pro headphones following three years. These headphones feature Apple’s new H2 chip, which improves wireless performance and sound quality. The drivers were also changed. In addition, the headphones continue to feature Spatial Audio.
With a smartphone, users can scan the appearance of their face to tailor the Spatial Audio function. There have been improvements to the Active Noise Cancelling system. The strength of the noise reduction is twice that of the previous generation solution. Passive reduction via customized earbuds rounds out the whole package.
The Adaptive Transparency function has arrived, which, using the H2 chip, can automatically adjust the volume of sounds reaching the user from the environment.
The total battery life has improved by 6 hours and currently stands at 30 hours. The AirPods case features a built-in AirTag locator, while the case also has built-in speakers, and a lanyard eyelet. A new feature is also the ability to charge using the Apple Watch charger. The retail price is $249.
iPhone 14
Apple split the paths of individual iPhone versions even more this year. The iPhone 14 has gotten a new, larger version called the iPhone 14 Plus with a 6.7-inch screen. The two devices look very similar to the iPhone 13. The two smartphones are virtually identical in terms of visual appearance.
Both smartphones are available in five color versions. In addition, the two models have been given more powerful batteries. In fact, Apple boasts that the iPhone 14 Max comes with the most efficient battery in iPhone history.
Like the iPhone 13 family models, the iPhone 14 has an Apple A15 Bionic processor. For the first time in history, Apple has utilized the same processor twice. The iPhone 14 features the more powerful Apple A15 Bionic known from the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
While the smartphone still has a 12 MP primary camera with an f/1.5 aperture, that means the smartphone doesn’t offer 8K recording. However, Apple brags about an improved night mode. The ultra-wide angle camera has also been improved.
US smartphones in the iPhone 14 family come without a SIM card slot. In fact, they only have two eSIM card slots. The smartphones feature an accident detection function identical to the Apple Watch Series 8 solution.
The iPhone 14 is the first smartphone to have satellite connectivity, used when calling for help. The entire service only works outdoors. The service comes with a fee (first two years of subscription free). The suggested retail price starts at $799. It is available from September 16 (iPhone 14 Plus on October 7).
iPhone 14 Pro
The iPhone 14 Pro is the first model that lacks a traditional notch in the screen. Instead, Apple decided on a slightly smaller module pill to accommodate the sensors responsible for Face ID and the video chat camera. All of this was integrated with animations in iOS 16 that hide the notch – a feature dubbed Dynamic Island.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have a brighter screen – the peak brightness is as much as 2,000 nits. In fact, it’s the brightest panel in currently sold smartphones. The Always-On display is also new – a feature that is well known from competing Android smartphones. All of this works thanks to LTPO technology used successfully in Apple Watch watches.
The Pro series of iPhone received a newer Apple A16 Bionic processor. This chip was manufactured using a 4nm technological process, which results in higher power efficiency. And the chip is 40% more efficient than Android competitors.
The iPhone 14 Pro was given an all-new 48 MP camera with a quad-pixel feature – merging 4 pixels into 1. The top smartphone received a 4K movie mode. Also, the device has received a more powerful battery. The suggested retail price of Apple iPhone 14 Pro starts at $999.
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