This story was originally published on September 8, 2022, and last updated on March 8, 2023.
Apple has officially kicked off the holiday season with its September 2022 keynote. The Far Out event was all about new Apple hardware. There are new phones, smartwatches, and a refresh of the company’s pro earbuds.
We’ve rounded up the features you need to know about these new devices!
Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max
Apple finally brings a 48-megapixel sensor into its iPhone lineup. The new Apple iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max also get features like an always-on display, Emergency SOS using satellites, and a new feature that embraces the new notch instead of ignoring it.
Apple introduces its first 48-megapixel primary camera with a quad-pixel sensor and its Photonic Engine that promises better low-light photography. For most photos, you get 12-megapixel binned photos. It allows Apple to crop the sensor in different ways (including offering true 2x zoom at a 48mm focal length) and to optimize details in Apple’s ProRAW format.
It also brings a new ultrawide camera with macrophotography and 3x low-light improvement. If videography on your iPhone is important, it gets a cinematic mode with support for 4K at 30 or 24 frames per second.
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max now feature always-on displays to complement the new lock screen widget for iOS 16. Apple adds a sleep state for iOS 16 wallpapers that’ll darken them to use less power.
As rumored, the Pro models are the only ones to get Apple’s new A16 Bionic chip. The new processor focuses on power efficiency, display, and camera, helping power smooth animations in the new Dynamic Island feature and its camera system.
If you’re wondering about the Dynamic Island feature, it’s a new way Apple displays notifications and other functions besides the Pro and Pro Max’s new cutout. Apple finally replaced the notch with a pill-shaped cutout that houses Face ID components and the front-facing camera. Notifications and alerts move around the notch. Apple shows off examples of live activity widgets brought to life, system notifications, music controls, and more.
Another new feature Apple highlighted with the Apple iPhone 14 Pro lineup is its Emergency SOS feature. If you find yourself in a part of the world without access to cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, the iPhone 14 lineup can connect to a satellite and let you send an SOS when you need it. The iPhone will frontload a few key questions emergency services typically asks so you can get the help you need. You can also use this feature with Find My to send your location when you’re hiking or camping off the grid.
Apple is launching this service in November in the US and Canada. It’ll be free for two years, suggesting a subscription or paid option is coming after that.
In the US, Apple also plans to just offer eSIM versions of the phone. There will no longer be a SIM tray for US models.
The iPhone 14 Pro has a 6.1-inch display, while the Pro Max gets a 6.7-inch screen. Both models will be available in deep purple, silver, gold, and space black in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities. The iPhone 14 Pro series will be available for pre-order starting September 9, with in-store availability on September 16.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro gets a starting price of USD 999, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a starting retail price of USD 1,099.
Apple iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
If the Pro models aren’t really what you need, Apple has the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The Plus gets a new larger 6.7-inch display, while the 14 sports a 6.1-inch screen. There’s no mini model this time around if you’re part of the small phone club.
As mentioned in the rumors, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus won’t carry the latest Apple chip either. Instead, Apple uses the A15 processor, which it introduced in the iPhone 13 Pro. You can expect a better performance over the regular iPhone 13 and iPhone SE since it gets the Pro’s extra GPU core.
Similar to the Pro models, these phones will lose the SIM tray for US variants and get Emergency SOS support. According to Apple, the iPhone 14 Plus model gets the best battery life of any iPhone.
For cameras, the Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus get an ultra-wide and new 12-megapixel primary camera with an f/1.5 aperture and sensor-based stabilization. You can also expect improved low-light photography and faster Night Mode. The selfie camera gets a new 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera as well with autofocus. These new iPhones also take advantage of Apple’s new Photonic Engine and the new Action Mode for that gimbal-esque steadiness in videos.
Both models have an updated internal design for better thermal performance and Super Retina XDR displays with OLED technology that supports 1200 nits of peak HDR brightness, a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and Dolby Vision.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will be available in midnight, blue, starlight, purple, and (PRODUCT)RED in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities. There’s also now a new yellow color option for these models.
The Apple iPhone 14 has a starting price of USD 799, while the iPhone 14 Plus‘s retail price starts at USD 899. Check out any trade-in offers to get a better deal on these new phones. It will be available for pre-order starting September 9, with availability for the iPhone 14 on September 16 and October 7 for the iPhone 14 Plus.
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple introduces its most rugged Apple Watch yet. This new Apple Watch Ultra is built specifically for outdoor adventures. It gets a 49mm titanium case with a flat sapphire front crystal housing the biggest and brightest Apple Watch display yet. It goes up to 2000 nits, which is 2x brighter than any Apple Watch.
The Watch gets a new customizable Action button that can let you easily start a workout, access Backtrack, and more. An example Apple gave is being able to start tracking a new leg in a triathlon easily. It has a physical crown as well, with the company touting that both buttons are usable even with gloves on your hands.
The Apple Watch Ultra gets the best battery life the company has to offer for its smartwatches. It goes up to 36 hours with regular use or up to 60 hours in a mode that Apple plans to introduce later this fall. Apple claims the Ultra has enough battery life for most users to complete a long-course triathlon (involving a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon).
Cellular connectivity is built into all models. This watch also gets improved GPS, supporting both L1 and L5 GPS. Apple includes a new positioning algorithm, allowing for the most accurate GPS tracking on an Apple Watch yet.
It gets three built-in mics that use advanced wind noise-reduction algorithms for better sound quality for voice calls no matter where you are.
And it gets a new Wayfinder watch face that takes advantage of its large display. It has a compass built in and space for up to eight complications. Apple adds new advanced running metrics to watchOS 9, allowing it to measure things like Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, Vertical Oscillation, and Running Power. It can detect what stroke you’re using when swimming and more.
The Apple Watch Ultra wants to help outdoor adventurers make the most of the watch. It’s designed to withstand freezing cold mountains at -20°C (-4°F) to the blazing desert heat at 55°C (131°F), with a certification for MIL-STD810H and EN13319 for recreational scuba diving to 40 meters.
Apple introduces three new bands for the Watch Ultra to cater to specific needs. There’s the Trail loop for endurance athletes and runners with a lightweight textile and the thinnest band yet. The Alpine loop is built for explorers with a G loop that securely fastens the watch to your wrist. And then the Ocean band with a titanium buckle is designed for extreme water sports and recreational diving.
The Apple Watch Ultra is available for pre-order, with store availability in some regions starting Friday, September 23, for USD 799.
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple’s update to its smartwatch brings a new sensor to the mix. Its new body temperature sensor is embedded in the bottom and on the screen.
The company emphasizes its usefulness for menstrual and ovulation tracking. The sensors make it easier to spot body temperature changes throughout your menstruation and how it rises in response to ovulation. With watchOS 9 and iOS 16, it can flag any abnormalities in your cycle based on your period data. It helps you determine any potential health issues you might have related to your cycle.
And for those looking for a tool to help with family planning, the new retrospective ovulation estimates can help you in this respect. Apple wanted to reiterate that this data is encrypted from end to end, meaning you get to decide who can access it.
Apple also developed a new crash detection feature that uses the barometer, GPS, and mic on your iPhone to determine the severity of a crash. When the Apple Watch Series 8 detects this, it will check in with you and dial emergency services if you remain unresponsive after a 10-second countdown.
The Apple Watch also gets improved battery life—up to 18 hours in typical use or 36 hours in a new Low Power Mode. It disables or limits some sensors and features to ensure longer battery life.
The Series 8 is also getting international roaming for its cellular models with support for over 30 carriers worldwide.
This new smartwatch comes in either aluminum or stainless steel cases in 41mm or 45mm sizes. Aluminum case colors for Apple Watch Series 8 include starlight, midnight, silver, and (PRODUCT)RED, while the stainless steel case offers silver, graphite, and gold.
There are also new bands and watch faces for Apple Watch Nike and Apple Watch Hermès collections. Nike has vibrant new Sport Band colors and a new Sport Loop with the “Just Do It” logo woven right into the band. Meanwhile, Apple Watch Hermès introduces two new bands: H Diagonal, which creates a sporty pattern of the Hermès H with hundreds of micro-perforations, and Gourmette Metal, which features a polished stainless steel chain and noir leather wrapping twice around the wrist.
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a starting price of USD 399, with pre-orders kicking off today and in-store availability starting September 16.
Apple Watch SE
Now, if you don’t need all those fancy features, Apple has a second-generation Watch SE for you. The Apple Watch SE gets the core Apple Watch experience at a more affordable price. This smartwatch gets the S8 SiP chip, which powers the Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra. It also gets support for Crash Detection and international roaming.
And if you want to introduce the Apple Watch to a member of your family that doesn’t have an iPhone (like younger kids or elders), Family Setup will allow you to set it up for them.
This smartwatch retains its case design but now has a matching back case made of nylon composite materials. It comes in 40mm and 44mm aluminum cases in midnight, starlight, and silver finishes.
The Apple Watch SE retails at a starting price of USD 249. It gets the same pre-order and availability as the Watch Series 8.
Apple AirPods Pro
Apple refines the AirPods Pro with this new iteration. It gets a new H2 chip that promises to cancel out “up to twice as much” high decibel noise as its predecessor. With iOS 16, the AirPods Pro earbuds also introduce more personalized Spatial Audio with your iPhone to get an even better, immersive sound.
These buds also get a better Adaptive Transparency mode, a new low-distortion audio driver, and a custom amplifier for “richer bass” and “crystal-clear sound across a wider range of frequencies.” Apple also adds a new extra small ear tip for an even better fit, which can help for comfort and better sound.
Apple has finally added touch controls on the Pro, making it easier to access music playback and volume controls without pulling out your phone. The AirPods Pro also get better battery life with up to six hours of listening time with ANC enabled or up to 30 hours of total listening time. Apple says that’s six hours more than its predecessor.
You can now also charge the Apple AirPods Pro with the Apple Watch charger. The case gets Find My support and a built-in speaker to make it easier to look for the case. Apple also adds a little loop so you can run a lanyard around it for better portability. If you’re worried about damaging the case, it gets sweat and water resistance.
The Apple AirPods Pro retails for USD 249 with pre-orders starting on September 9 and in-store availability on September 23.
UPDATE: 2023/03/8, 11:05 A.M. GMT+8 BY NICOLE BATAC
Added info on new yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
What Apple device are you most excited for? Let us know!
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