Apple Event summary September 7: new iPhone 14, Apple Watch 8, AirPods Pro 2, prices, specifications
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Apple presented its new products rolling out fall 2022 from the Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino in California 7 September. Here’s a rundown of what fans can get their hands on starting next week.
Across all of the new products will be a Crash Detection feature that would alert emergency services in the event of an accident. Also the iPhones will come with emergency message via satellite connectivity feature. Apple built custom components and software that shows you where to point the phone to connect to a satellite, eliminating the need for a bulky antenna.
Apple did away with the SIM card tray for the iPhone 14. An eSim feature allows owners to quickly transfer carrier plans and store multiple SIMs. Also, should the phone be stolen, there is no SIM card to remove and replace.
New features for iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max
Both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will have a supercharged A15 Bionic chip. The five-core GPU is 18% faster, and there's a 6-core GPU with a 16-core neural engine. They will have 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screens respectively.
The main 12MP camera will a faster aperture, larger sensor, and bigger pixels, that will improve colors, light and texture with a 49% improvement in low-light settings. The front camera has improved autofocus and a wider aperture to let in more light.
Colors available to choose from: midnight, starlight, blue, purple and Product Red.
The iPhone 14 starts at $799 and the iPhone 14 Plus will cost $899 and up.
Preorders open on 9 September. The iPhone 14 is coming 16 Sept. and the Plus on October 7.
New features for iPhone 14 Pro
“The most innovative Pro lineup yet," will have a stainless steel frame and Ceramic Shield display, Pro 6.1 inches and Pro Max 6.7 inches. The screen will now feature a “Dynamic Island” which will form over the new pill-shaped cutout to give the user alerts.
The Pro will come with an always-on display feature, with improved LTPO technology allowing the screen to scale down to 1Hz. The display can thus remain visible without draining the battery.
Housed inside is a A16 Bionic chip built on a 4-nanometer process. The 6-core CPU with two high-performance cores that are faster while using 20% less power than the A15. The 5-core GPU has 50% more memory bandwidth, which will improve the photographic abilities of the iPhone 14 Pro.
The cameras have improved low-light settings, 2x, thanks to a 48MP sensor, and 3x for the 12Mp ultrawide camera. Included is a 12MP telephoto lens with a 2x zoom.
Available in four colors, black, silver, gold and a new deep purple.
Pre-orders begin 9 September 9. The phones will be in stores 16 September. The Pro will sell for $999 and the Pro Max $1,099.
New features for Apple Watch 8
A new feature on the latest generation of the Apple Watch is temperature sensor to allow women to monitor ovulation which connects to a cycle tracking app. The company stressed the privacy security features so that only the owner can access that information.
Colors include Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Project Red and a wide range of bands to choose from.
Orders can be placed today, available 16 September in stores. GPS version costs $399, cellular version $499.
Apple Watch Ultra (i.e. Apple Watch 8 Pro)
The ultimate accessory for those who plan to go into extreme environments. It has a bevy of features tailored to those running ultra-long marathons in extreme heat, climbing to the highest peaks in freezing conditions and diving into the abyss including three distinct specially designed wrist bands.
The 49mm Sapphire Crystal screen is larger than the standard Apple Watch for easier viewing in intense light conditions. It is set in a durable titanium case, which has a new action button and a larger side button with bigger grooves all designed to be used with gloves.
The Ultra comes with a second speaker for louder sound and an alarm that lets you alert people up to 600-feet away.
It comes with a battery life of 36 hours and later this fall, 60 hours with a low-power mode.
It will be available 23 September for $799.
New features for Apple Watch SE2
The introductory model of the Apple Watch for many, the second-generation model will have a 30% larger display than Apple Watch 3 and be 20% faster than the original SE.
It will hit stores 16 September but is available to order now costing $249 for the GPS version and cellular model $299.
New features for AirPods Pro 2
The AirPods Pro 2 come with personalized spatial audio, which you can use the camera on your iPhone to tune the sound just for you. The new H2 chip doubles the amount of noise cancellation over the original AirPods Pro. Touch controls allow users to adjust the volume with just a swipe.
Battery life has been enhanced by a third, giving the AirPods Pro 2 6 hours of listening time, with the charging case 30 hours.
Pre-orders begin September 9, available on 23 September. Cost $249.
What to expect at the 2022 September Apple Event
Apple generally chooses to use its September event to unveil a new and improved version of its flagship iPhone, exception being 2020 thanks to covid-19 induced issues. However, Apple fans will be looking forward to seeing what tweaks the CEO Tim Cook will present.
We can also expect to get a look at the updated Apple Watch 8, a potentially rugged outdoor version with the Apple Watch 8 Pro, and a second-generation version of its more affordable model the Apple Watch SE.
Rumors abound, Apple could debut the next generation of of the AirPods Pro.
What do we know so far…
Tweaks on the iPhone 14. Sat-com with iPhone 14 Pro?
It’s been reported that Apple plans to drop the mini version of the iPhone 14 which came out two year ago. Instead the company will introduce a larger 6.7-inch screen version of the original smartphone, iPhone 14 Plus.
One major change to the standard iPhone 14, which will be included in the Plus model, expected compared to the iPhone 13 is the use of an “enhanced” version of the existing A15 Bionic chipset.
The A16, the latest version of its mobile chipset, is being reserved for the more premium iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max devices. It’s rumored that Apple get rid of the notch cut-out and replace it with a new pill-shaped cut-out for the camera. The main camera will get beefed up to 48-megapixels.
Some of the new iPhone models could be equipped with the ability to communicate with satellites in case of emergency.
Apple Watch 8, Apple Watch 8 Pro and Apple Watch SE2
The eighth generation of the standard Apple Watch there isn’t expected to be many changes, but it has been leaked that it will come with the ability to measure body and skin temperature. Additionally, it will include a long-lasting, low-power mode.
The real show-stopper would be a rugged version, the Apple Watch 8 Pro. Designed for use outdoors with a titanium construction, it will have a larger screen and an additional physical button.
There are rumors that after two years without any improvements, the cheaper version of the Apple Watch SE has gotten an upgrade. The second generation model, as far as we know will get a higher grade chipset and not much more.
What do have we heard about the AirPods Pro 2?
Debuted in 2019, it is unclear how these in-ear wireless earbuds will be any better. Rumor has it that they will have improved audio and noise cancellation.
As well come with a new case that will charge them faster and feature Find My functionality with a built-in speaker to make a sound when you can’t find it.
September Apple Event
Hello and welcome to AS USA live coverage of the September Apple Event, ‘live’ from Cupertino.
The company’s product reveal, perhaps the most important of the year, will be held in person at its Cupertino headquarters in California for the first time since 2019.