Apple Unveils New iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods Pro at the ‘Far Out’ Keynote Event
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For the first time since 2019, Apple hosted its big September keynote in-person from Cupertino, unveiling new iPhones, Apple Watch models, and the long-awaited AirPods Pro follow-up. Apple called this year’s event “Far Out,” bringing hints of space, the stars, and infinite possibilities. The latest gadgets will hit the shelves next week, offering countless design and hardware improvements. Here’s a recap of everything you need to know about the tech giant’s biggest event and the exciting product releases ahead.
Apple Watch Series 8
Temperature sensor brings improved women's health tracking
Longer battery life with low-power mode
Crash-detection capabilities
The Apple Watch Series 8 arrived with significant hardware updates over its predecessor. The most notable upgrade includes a temperature sensor for advanced women's health and wellness tracking. Apple also improved the battery life of the Apple Watch by adding a low-power mode, which can extend its battery endurance to 36 hours between charges.
Crash detection, a functionality that utilizes sophisticated motion sensors and algorithms to detect a car accident, is another significant safety improvement for the Apple Watch Series 8. The lifesaving feature allows the timepiece to alert emergency services, keeping your safety first at all times.
The timepiece will hit the shelves with 41- and 45-millimeter aluminum and stainless steel cases, and you can order it today. Pricing starts at $399 for GPS models and $499 for cellular ones. Its aluminum case is available in midnight, silver, starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED.
The stainless steel versions will come in gold, graphite, and silver. Nike and Hermès variants will once again be available.
Apple Watch Ultra
The most rugged Apple Watch
Bigger and brighter screen
Available only with titanium case
Up to 60 hours of battery life
After years of development, the Apple Watch Ultra is finally here with an all-new design and next-level durability. Designed for adventurers and athletes, the watch has a larger case, battery, and superior water resistance than its siblings — all while retaining the same uncompromisingly rich set of health- and fitness-tracking tools. Its screen is the biggest and brightest an Apple Watch has to offer.
The Ultra has a rugged, lightweight 49-millimeter titanium case and a flat sapphire crystal. It is the first Apple Watch to have a customizable button (on its left side) and a crown guard.
The Apple Watch Ultra has upgraded GPS for better location tracking and safety tech, including an integrated siren. Its water-exposure capabilities include the ability to double as a dive computer.
Apple will have an exclusive watch face for the Ultra, dubbed Wayfinder. The product will also come with a new, scuba diving-ready Ocean band with a titanium buckle. It is available to order for $799.
Apple Watch SE
Same chip as the Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra
Aluminum case with composite back
The new Apple Watch SE has a new look, thanks to its revamped aluminum housing with a composite back case. The product features the same chip as the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra, so it's snappier than the outgoing model.
Apple’s entry-level smartwatch starts at an incredibly reasonable $249, and you can order it with a 40- or a 44-millimeter case in midnight, silver, and starlight. Models with cellular connectivity cost $50 extra.
AirPods Pro
Improved sound and noise cancellation
Longer battery life
Case with built-in speaker
The second-generation AirPods Pro true wireless earphones are Apple's most advanced AirPods to date. A sequel to an iconic product, the buds have an instantly recognizable design, upgraded audio hardware and noise cancellation, and a new H2 chip. The latter brings personalized spatial audio for more immersive listening.
The AirPods Pro transparency mode is adaptive, meaning it can adjust its intensity based on the noise levels around you. Plus, the buds' battery life is longer — up to 6 hours — and their charging case has a bigger capacity. Impressively, the bundled accessory has an integrated speaker for easier tracking.
iPhone 14
Available with 6.1- and a 6.7-inch screen
A15 Bionic chip
12-megapixel main camera
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus arrived with a familiar design and 6.1- and 6.7-inch Retina displays. The screen of the Plus is the same size as the panel of the Pro models. The Plus will also offer longer battery life.
Apple equipped the iPhone 14 duo with the A15 Bionic chip. The dual camera setup of both phones includes a primary 12MP snapper with a larger sensor and faster aperture for better low-light performance. The last-mentioned bit is also aided by a Photonic Engine feature, which improves the overall image processing.
The front-facing TrueDepth camera of the phones is another new feature. The iPhone 14 video recording capabilities include improved stabilization for smoother footage.
Crash detection will be available on the iPhone 14 as well. Remarkably, the products will only be available with an eSIM, meaning you will no longer have to swap tiny bits of plastic when switching devices.
The iPhones will offer emergency SOS service powered by satellite, which allows you to keep better tabs on your location, communicate with others, and even contact emergency services. The service will launch in November and will be free for 2 years.
Pricing of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will start at $799 and $899, respectively. Pre-orders will begin on September 7, with retail availability set to begin a week later. The Plus model will hit the shelves in early October.
iPhone 14 Pro
Available with 6.1- and a 6.7-inch screen
A16 Bionic chip
48MP main camera
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have ditched the signature display notch for a more subtle and versatile Dynamic Island home to the True Depth camera. The innovative setup will also serve notifications and other relevant information. Dynamic Island will change its size and layout depending on the tasks and apps you run.
A new A16 Bionic chip powers the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The component utilizes a 4-nanometer architecture, which is more powerful and energy-efficient. It has a dedicated display engine, which allows the above-mentioned Dynamic Island to work its magic.
The new Pro iPhones have 6.1- and 6.7-inch screens with much brighter (up to 2000 nits) panels and slimmer borders. Always-on display with low-power mode is another novelty that arrived alongside the products. It's a first for any iPhone.
The 48MP primary camera of the iPhone 14 Pro duo has the highest resolution in an Apple smartphone. It brings better low-light performance and, believe it or not, more versatile zoom capabilities. The latter works by utilizing the middle of the high-resolution sensor for 2x digital zoom. It can also combine 4 pixels into one for even more detailed images.
The 12MP ultra wide camera of the iPhone 14 Pro is upgraded, too. The standard 3x telephoto camera has been improved as well. A Photonic Engine is a new computational photography feature that will improve the low-light performance of all onboard cameras.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will cost $999 and $1,099. You can pre-order one in silver, gold, space black, and deep purple on Sept. 9. Retail availability will kick off the following week.
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