Apple Has Launched a Host of New Products — Here’s What You Need to Know
Apple's September event was headlined by new Apple Watches and an updated iPad Air
Apple did not launch a new iPhone
The tech giant is entering the fitness subscription game with Fitness+
It’s mid-September, which means it’s time for big news from Apple.
Today, Apple held a “Time Flies” product event and launched a new Apple Watch and a new iPad Air, among other items. The iPhone rumors proved to be correct, and we did not see a new iPhone during the event. You can watch the whole keynote below.
The iPad air was rumored to have an all-new design, as well as a host of hardware upgrades, and that's held true. Apple actually launched two new watches: the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch SE. Considering how popular the latest iPhone SE has been since its launch, the arrival of an affordable Apple Watch is not a major surprise.
The Apple Watch Series 6, on the other hand, features a number of welcome updates. They include sleep- and stress-tracking capabilities, the ability to measure blood oxygen levels, and longer battery life, among others.
Read on the learn more about all the new Apple products.
Apple Watch Series 6
New watch features same design as previous iterations
Has ability to measure blood-oxygen levels
Packs a more powerful chip than the one found in the Series 5
The Apple Watch Series 6 brings a multitude of new features and improvements, while retaining the same familiar design as the Series 4 and Series 5. Powered by watchOS 7, the new timepiece will be available with a 40- and 44-millimeter case with exciting new red and blue finishes. They will join the usual silver, space gray, and gold options.
Pricing of the Apple Watch Series 6 will start at $399. Models with cellular connectivity will cost $100 extra. The models with a stainless steel case will start at $699 and there will be options designed in collaboration with Nike and Hermes once again. You can preorder the new Apple Watch today, while full retail availability will begin on Friday, Sept. 18.
One of the coolest new bits about the Apple Watch Series 6 is its ability to accurately measure blood-oxygen levels. The feature will allow users to track their heart and respiratory health by glancing at their wrists. Apple is also testing the groundbreaking feature's abilities to detect COVID-19 infection.
The Apple Watch Series 6 packs an all-new S6 dual-core chip that's considerably more powerful than the one found in the Series 5. Of course, powered by watchOS 7, the smartwatch has new watch faces to go with the groundbreaking new features it brings.
Apple will launch a host of new bands alongside the latest Watch Series 6. They include an all-new Solo silicone band, among many others.
A new feature called Family Setup will allow users to manage several Apple Watch products from one device. The new functionality looks tailor-made for kids and older adults who don't own an iPhone.
The Apple Watch Series 6 will not ship with a power adapter. Combined with the device's eco-friendly craftsmanship, the feature is guaranteed to reduce the product's carbon footprint.
Apple Watch SE
Most affordable new Apple Watch to date
Features same design as Series watches
The Apple Watch SE, like the iPhone with the same moniker, brings essential features at an attractive price point — it starts at $279. Powered by the S5 mobile chip that's found inside the Apple Watch Series 5, the newcomer is a major upgrade over the Series 3. The latter will still be available with an even lower $199 price.
Compared to the Apple Watch Series 6, the SE will lack a blood-oxygen sensor while retaining the same overall design. The affordable smartwatch will only be available with a 40- or 44-millimeter aluminum case in silver, gold, and space gray.
Fitness+
First subscription of its kind from Apple
Offers guided workouts that sync with the Apple Watch
Subscription will also offer music playlists
Apple will launch a new fitness subscription service alongside its latest watches. Dubbed Fitness+, it will offer a variety of guided workouts that sync with the Watch, as well as other Apple products such as the iPad and the Apple TV.
Fitness+ will even offer music playlists to help users stay motivated. The service will launch before the end of 2020 for $9.99 per month. New Apple Watch purchases will come with 3 months' worth of free Fitness+.
Apple One, on the other hand, is an all-encompassing subscription which combines several Apple services into one. It'll launch later this year with a $14.95 starting price.
iPad
Same design as last year's iPad
Brings increased graphics and processing power
Price remains the same
Apple announced an updated affordable iPad with an A12 Bionic chip with a Neural Engine on board. It looks just like last year's iPad with a 10.2-inch Retina display, but it brings welcome bumps in graphics and processing power. The new iPad will retain the amazing $329 price tag that made its predecessors so immensely popular.
Of course, the refreshed iPad will be compatible with the Apple Pencil. There will be plenty of cases and keyboard covers for the new slate. The new iPad will come with iPadOS 14 out of the box.
Rather impressively, every iPad will be made using recycled aluminum and other responsibly sourced materials.
iPad Air
New iPad Air sees major redesign
First Apple product to launch with a14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
Moves to USB-C connector over Lightening port
The thoroughly revamped iPad Air has similar design as the industry-leading iPad Pro. It has a 10.9-inch Retina display and an all-metal body that's crafted from recycled aluminum. The tablet will be available in five colors, including attention-grabbing blue and green. It will be available to order next month with a $529 starting price tag.
Apple has integrated the Touch ID fingerprint sensor of the new iPad Air into its power button. The iPad Air will be the first Apple product to launch with a groundbreaking, physics-defying A14 Bionic chip with a Neural Engine. Crafted using a cutting-edge 5 nm architecture, it all but guarantees that the Air will be the most powerful of its kind. According to Apple, the A14 Bionic makes the Air more powerful than similarly priced PC laptops and tablets.
The iPad Air will have a USB-C connector just like the range-topping iPad Pro. For comparison, the previous generation has a Lightning port. Unsurprisingly, the device will be compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, as well as a Magic Keyboard with a built-in trackpad.
Beginning tomorrow, Apple will begin rolling out iOS 14, iPadOS 14, watchOS 7. and tvOS 14 to Apple hardware owners.
Read More:
Our Favorite Apple iPad Accessories
A Handy Guide for Shopping a New iPad
Find the Right iPhone for Your Lifestyle and Budget Here
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