Every year, there are exciting developments, especially in the world of smartphones. As summer fades away, there’s some good news on the horizon: the launch of the new iPhone. Apple’s iPhone 15 event is here, and we’re eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the all-new Apple iPhone 15. It’s rumored to come in four different models, with a fresh design for the more affordable options and a significant change for all four – a new charging port, the first of its kind for iPhones in over a decade.
But there’s more to the event than just the iPhone 15. While the new phones will likely take center stage, there’s also the possibility of a new version of the Apple Watch smartwatch and even a potential new model called the Apple Watch Ultra. However, nothing is confirmed until Apple reveals it live on stage, and as always, we’re on the lookout for their famous “one more thing.” Will there be a surprising twist today, or will Apple stick to the expected plan? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out.
Apple’s keynote announcement is already in progress, but if you can’t watch it live, don’t worry, because we’re watching it closely and will provide you with all the details of Apple’s new iPhone 15 and everything else announced at the iPhone 15 event. Keep checking here for the latest updates.
The event began with exciting Apple Watch news, confirming the arrival of the Apple Watch Series 9. Over the past few years, Apple’s smartwatch has evolved from simply delivering notifications to becoming a crucial tool for monitoring our health.
Apple Watch Series 9
Screenshot: Apple
The new Apple Watch Series 9 boasts the powerful S9 processor, a long-anticipated CPU built on the same architecture as the A15 Bionic. Apple claims it’s a whopping 30% faster than its predecessor, the S8. While your watch may not often run demanding tasks, this speed boost ensures that common requests to Siri and everyday tasks are completed more swiftly. Speaking of Siri, the digital assistant can now interact with your health data. You can ask Siri about your sleep duration or verbally log your weight with ease.
The Apple Watch now helps you locate your iPhone using ultra-wideband technology, and it can even detect if your Apple Homepod is nearby, offering convenient media control options. The display can shine at a brilliant 2000 nits for enhanced visibility in bright sunlight and dim down to 1 nit for dark rooms.
One notable addition in WatchOS 10 is the “Double Tap” feature. Simply tap your index finger and thumb twice to interact with your Apple Watch. This gesture can be used to interact with the primary button in any app, whether it’s answering or ending a phone call or scrolling through widgets on your watch’s main screen. It can even snooze an alarm, which might be concerning for those of us with quick reflexes. This feature has been available in accessibility settings for a while, and it’s great to see its usability expanded and highlighted for all users.
You can now pre-order the Apple Watch Series 9, with a release date set for September 22. Prices start at $399.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Screenshot: Apple
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the upgraded version of last year’s Ultra model. It introduces the new “Double Tap” feature, powered by the S9 SiP, along with enhanced Siri capabilities. This rugged outdoor Apple Watch boasts an impressive display, capable of reaching a brightness of up to 3000 nits, and it even features a new watchface.
While Apple is emphasizing new features for cycling and jogging, it’s evident that the core design of the Ultra 2 is intended for divers and adventurers. The Ultra 2 also impresses with a battery life of 36 hours, extending to 72 hours in low-power mode. Notably, the watch case is crafted from 95% recycled materials, and when paired with a recycled band, it becomes carbon neutral.
Like the Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be available on September 22, with pre-orders starting today. The price for this premium model is set at $799.
Apple iPhone 15
Screenshot: Apple
The iPhone 15 has arrived, and it’s as impressive as we expected. Apple showcased this latest iPhone in a range of stunning pastel colors, but the most significant change is on the front. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus now feature the Dynamic Island, aligning the basic iPhone models with the Pro models. The Retina XDR display offers a dazzling 1600 nits (peaking at 2000 nits), ensuring better visibility in sunlight. The iPhone 15 boasts a 6.1-inch display, while the 15 Plus boasts a 6.7-inch screen, both with reduced bezels.
The pastel colors are sure to catch your eye. They are infused into the rear glass, creating a unique and beautiful diffused look. The phone’s interior is equally impressive, with recycled cobalt in the battery and recycled copper in other parts.
The primary camera lens packs 48 megapixels, offering various options for taking photos. You can opt for 48MP images for exceptional detail or use pixel binning to combine four pixels for better low-light performance while keeping file sizes manageable. The high megapixel count also allows for a simulated 2x optical zoom using the inner 12MP of the lens. Portrait modes are enhanced, with the camera app using machine learning to determine when to apply them. You can even adjust the focus point and bokeh blur after taking the Shot.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 15 Titanium Pro.
Source: Apple Inc.
The new Pro model boasts a premium grade 5 titanium build, a stronger yet lighter alloy compared to pure titanium. Its brushed finish sets it apart from the playful pastel colors of the iPhone 15, creating a significant design distinction. This time, Apple has created a substantial design difference between its two variants. The Pro model also features reduced bezels, resulting in a slightly smaller footprint, while the display size remains the same. Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro sport a 6.1-inch display, with the Pro Max having a 6.7-inch display.
The traditional mute switch has been replaced by the Action button. Press and hold this button for muting your phone, with distinct haptic feedback for muting and unmuting. Furthermore, the Action button offers various shortcuts, allowing you to open the camera or start a timer with a quick press. Standby mode is a new addition, providing useful widgets and tools when you place your iPhone 15 Pro on a stand.
Powering the iPhone 15 Pro is the Apple A17 Pro, the industry’s first-ever 3-nanometer chip. It comprises two high-performance cores, four high-efficiency cores, and a six-core GPU. The neural engine boasts 16 cores, significantly boosting machine learning capabilities. Dedicated sections in the A17 Pro cater to ProRes display and a USB controller for USB3 speeds. Notably, the GPU can handle hardware-based ray tracing in games, making the iPhone 15 Pro a potent mobile gaming platform. In fact, Capcom is bringing Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil Village to the iPhone, with Assassin’s Creed Mirage slated for next year.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max pricing.
Source: Apple Inc.
The iPhone 15 Pro features a 48MP main lens, similar to the iPhone 15 but with enhancements. However, the Pro Max model shines with the introduction of a periscope zoom lens offering 5x optical zoom. While not as extensive as some of Samsung’s periscope zooms, it’s a significant improvement for Apple, albeit exclusive to the Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro retains the same 3x optical zoom as the previous year, which might disappoint some.
Screenshot: Apple
But there’s a unique feature up the iPhone 15 Pro’s sleeve: Spatial video. Captured using the main and wide-angle lenses, it produces 3D-like videos viewable on the Apple Vision Pro.
Pricing for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max begins at $1199. You can trade in an iPhone from the iPhone 11 or newer to receive up to $1000 off your new iPhone Pro. Pre-orders open on September 15, with shipments starting on September 22.
iCloud+ adds a 6TB and 12TB storage plan
In addition to unveiling a new lineup of iPhones, Apple introduced two new storage options for iCloud+, its cloud storage subscription service.
Now, subscribers have the choice of storing either 6 terabytes or 12 terabytes of data with these fresh subscription tiers. While the average user may not require such extensive storage, these plans could be a boon for photographers and filmmakers who are benefitting from significant camera upgrades on the new iPhone 15. Surprisingly, these new iCloud storage options received the most enthusiastic applause during the presentation.
Currently, subscribers can opt for $0.99 per month for 50GB of cloud storage, $2.99 per month for 200GB, and $9.99 per month for 2TB. Based on the existing pricing structure, it’s reasonable to estimate that the 6TB and 12TB subscriptions will cost a maximum of $30 and $60 per month, respectively. For comparison, Google’s cloud storage plans for 5TB and 10TB of data are priced at $24.99 per month and $49.99 per month, respectively, placing them in a similar price range.
Additionally, iCloud+ subscribers continue to enjoy existing privacy features such as Hide My Email and Private Relay.
