Apple Just Unveiled New iPhones, Better AirPods, and a Badass New Smartwatch
APPLE'S ANNUAL FALL keynote hardware event is always one of the biggest days on the tech world's calendar. This year, the day’s announcements more than lived up to that elevated billing. And after two consecutive virtual presentations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company got to pull out all the stops with an in-person blowout for press and special guests at the Steve Jobs Theater at its Cupertino HQ.
Apple CEO Tim Cook set the expectations immediately: This day was all about AirPods, the iPhone, and the Apple Watch. The overall message was all about integration—how people can use all of Apple's personal gear to live better, more connected lives.
This is one of Apple's deepest hardware reveals in recent memory, with the standard mainline product updates to go along with some brand new device categories, giving gadget lovers even more options for the devices that they use for everything from mindless scrolling to their most important work projects.
Whether you're a hardcore Apple addict or just a casual smartphone user looking to upgrade your handset, there's plenty to be excited about. Here's what you need to know about all the new gear.
What Apple Announced at the Fall 2022 Event
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch presentation kicked off with a stirring series of testimonials about how the device has helped everyday people with health interventions and emergency response. Then, the presentation dove right into the nitty gritty details about the new devices.
Apple Watch Series 8
Key Details
Always-on Display
Fast Charging
Swim-Proof, Dust-Proof, Crack Resistant
New Temperature Sensor - Overnight wrist temperature monitoring
Menstrual and Ovulation tracking for people who menstruate
Crash Detection - new motion sensors and accelerometers can detect the forces of a car accident, then notify emergency services and contacts
18-hour battery life
Low Power Mode for 36 hours for extended battery life (available on Series 4 and later)
International Roaming for Cellular models
4 colors: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and (PRODUCT)RED
Starting at $399 for GPS, $499 Cellular
Available for order now and retail September 16
Apple Watch SE
The pared-down Apple Watch is now in its second generation, providing many of the same smartwatch features at a less expensive cost at $249 for GPS and $299 for Cellular. Available September 16.
Apple Watch Ultra
The biggest news for the Apple Watch is a brand new class of wearable: the Apple Watch Ultra, a rugged, badass sports watch. The focus for the device was exploration, adventure, and endurance, with a massively extended battery life and next-level outdoor features. Look out, Garmin.
Key Details
Titanium Case
Action Button
Larger Digital Crown and side button to be used with gloves.
3 microphones for new audio features
36-hour battery life estimate; 60-hour low power estimate with OS update later this year
Wayfinder watch face
Night Mode
Specialized bands for different use cases: Alpine loop, Ocean band, Trail loop
New GPS solutions for better tracking
New tracking measures for serious athletes
Manual transitions for triathletes and duathletes
New track running features
Newly redesigned compass and tracking features for explorers, including Backtrack to retrace your steps on the trail
Built in 86 decibel siren for emergencies
WR100 water resistance and dive tracking features for scuba diving
$799, available for order now and retail September 23
AirPods
The best-selling wireless headphones in the world finally get an update from 2019, with new features and updated specs.
AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
New H2 chip
New low distortion audio driver for updates clarity
Personalized Spatial Audio for all-over sound and immersive listening using the iPhone's TrueDepth camera to map the users' ear shape
Active Noise Cancellation
New sizes of in-ear tips for better fit
Adaptive Transparency Mode, which can dampen high-decibel sounds
Touch Control for better
Up to 6 hours of listening time per charge, 30 hours with a full case charge
Precision finding to locate the charging case, with a speaker to make it easier
Apple Watch, MagSafe, and Qi charging
Lanyard loop for better handling
$249, order September 9, retail September 23
iPhone
No Apple hardware event would be complete without the center of the company's connected ecosystem: the iPhone. New camera features (including an Action mode that workout filmers everywhere will love) will make these your new favorite handsets.
iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
6.1 inch display and 6.7 inch display, respectively
A15 chip
Enhanced Workout summary for fitness
Super Retina Display
Ceramic Shield screen
5 Colors: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, PRODUCT(RED)
New rear camera system with 12 MP lens with better motion freezing and low-light capture
12 MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus
Upgrades to video recording, with new Action mode for improved stabilization
eSIM capability
Crash Detection features (like the Apple Watch)
Emergency SOS via satellite - free for 2 years
Starting at $799 and $899, respectively
Available for order September 9, available retail September 16 and October 7, respectively
iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
Surgical grade stainless steel
4 Colors Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
New True Depth front-facing camera with Dynamic Island - smaller-sized notch, but interactive and intuitive for alerts and connectivity
New Super Retina XDR bright display with a peak of 2,000 knits
New personalized home screen and Always-On Display
A16 Bionic chip for better efficiency, display, and camera
48 MP rear camera for better low-light photos, new 2x Telephoto zoom option
Video with Action mode stabilization and improved Cinematic Mode
All-Day battery life estimate
Starting at $999 and $1099 for Pro and Pro Max respectively, for order September 9 and retail September 16
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