We watched the Apple live stream from the company’s keynote so you don’t have to. Here are the biggest updates coming to a screen near you.
When Apple issued a press release revealing the date of their annual product reveal, which feels more like a holiday at this point, we adjusted our calendars (and bank accounts) accordingly. With every Apple product announcement comes consumer speculation. Given that Apple historically unveils a new generation of iPhones this time of year, we already compiled a wishlist of what we hoped to see at this year’s product drop: memory expansion, shatter-proof screens, longer battery life, better camera and the inclusion of the necessary connectors and accessories. With that said, we recognize when Apple decides that we need something, we tend to blindly agree—and this year’s product reveal was no different. Here’s what Apple announced at their annual fall product drop:
Surprising no one, Apple announced they will be rolling out two new generations of their beloved iPhone at the #AppleEvent.
What’s new:
Hardware/Display Updates:
New gold finish— in addition to the silver and space grey options
More durable and waterproof
5.8” and 6.5” size options
Super Retina OLED display
True Tone display
Improved Camera/Video Capabilities:
12MP wide-angle camera and 12MP telephoto camera
Improved True Tone flash
Smart HDR
Better front-facing camera with improved facial recognition, portrait mode, and pixel depth
Stereo sound enabled recording
Other Updates:
512GB storage
Advanced FaceID making for faster detection
30% faster app launch
Larger batteries – 30 and 90 minutes longer usage for the XS and the XS Max respectively
What you really want to know—the price point:
iPhone XS: $999
iPhone XS Max: $1,099
Release Date: Available for pre-order this Friday, September 14th
Similar to the iPhone 5C that was unveiled in 2013, Apple is offering a more affordable version of the newest iPhone in the new iPhone XR.
What’s new:
Colorful aluminum finishes
6.1”, edge-to-edge LCD display
Accelerated processors
Enhanced camera capabilities (just not as good as the XS and XS Max)
Longer battery life (an hour and half longer than the iPhone 8 Plus battery)
Price Point: $749
Release date: Available for pre-order October 26th
Along with the big iPhone reveal, Apple also unveiled a new generation of the Apple Watch.
What’s new:
Redesigned Display:
30% Larger Screen
Thinner
New widgets with “more graphical information” – meaning you can track things like sports scores or flight information easily on the watch face
New Application Features:
“Breathe” – for those looking to their Apple Watch for mindfulness reminders
A feature that enables fall detection – meaning if you slip, the watch will give you the option to call emergency services, and if there is no movement for a minute, the watch will call emergency services immediately.
FDA Approved ECG Measures – a high heart-rate alert, a low heart-rate alert, a notification for atrial fibrillation signals
Technology Updates:
Up to 2x faster performance with the addition of a central chip
50% louder speakers
Better battery life that “lasts all day”
Price Point:
GPS Version: $399
Cellular Version: $499
Release Date: Available for pre-order this Friday, September 14th
Other than the updates made to the iPhone models and Apple Watch, there wasn’t much else announced in the Steve Jobs Theatre on Wednesday. Our thoughts? Apple did not disappoint, but they didn’t exactly wow us either. The product updates went as expected and there was no real big reveal of a new Apple innovation. To be honest, if I was cool enough to receive an Apple Event invite, I would have paid more attention to the A-list celebrities that attended the event including Naomi Campbell, Karlie Kloss, Jon Hamm, and Virgil Abloh.
If you are looking for an in-depth report, check out this article for a more comprehensive look at the specs delivered at the #AppleEvent. Android users need not apply.