At a press event on Wednesday, Apple showed off three new Apple Watch models, an update to its popular AirPods product line, and a feature that could save lives when cell service isn't available.
Apple unveiled four new smartphones from its Cupertino, California, headquarters, including a larger 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus model and an updated iPhone 14 Pro that rethinks the much-maligned notch. In typical Apple fashion, the battery life and camera features have both gotten better over the past year.
The price, on the other hand, may come as a surprise: The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus will be priced at $799 and $899, respectively, the same as last year's models. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max start at $999 and $1099, respectively, which is the same as last year. Many analysts thought that Apple would add $100 to the prices of its high-end models.
"It's impressive that Apple has kept year-on-year pricing parity on the new iPhone 14 devices in the United States," said Ben Wood, chief analyst at market research firm CCS Insight. "We expected that inflation, increased production and component costs, and other expenses such as higher shipping costs would cause Apple to raise its retail pricing."
For Apple, the stakes are always high when it comes to convincing customers to upgrade devices, particularly the iPhone, which remains the company's flagship product. This task may be made more difficult this year by broader economic concerns, such as fears of a looming recession.
During the whole event, Apple seemed to switch between selling its products as ways to live our best lives and as ways to avoid a variety of bad things that could happen to customers in an uncertain world, like getting in a car accident or getting lost in the woods.
Apple unveiled several new Apple Watch models, including a $799 high-end model designed to meet the needs of a select group of outdoor enthusiasts. It also added a feature that allows its watches to detect when a user has been in a car accident, as well as a satellite connectivity feature for phones that is intended to help people communicate when their cell service is down.
The following are the major highlights of the event:
The new iPhone 14 series
Apple unveiled four new smartphones, including the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus.
The new iPhone 14's 12 MP main camera has bigger pixels, a faster lens, and better sensors. It also has the same chip as the iPhone 13 Pro from last year, the A15. This is the first time in years that Apple has done this.
On the other hand, the new front camera has auto focus for the first time. This means that it can focus at different distances and in low light, making it better for both individual and group selfies. It also includes a new action mode, which allows users to keep videos stable while moving.
Apple's new Pro line includes an always-on display and the ability to receive notifications and activities via "the dynamic island," the much-discussed notch at the top of the phone that is now considered a feature. The Pro line also includes the first 48-megapixel camera on an iPhone.
The iPhone 14 lineup also does away with the need for a physical SIM card, instead opting for a digital "e-SIM" card. Users can now store multiple e-SIMs on the same device, as well as multiple cellular plans and phone numbers. It also prevents others from removing your iPhone's physical SIM card if it is lost or stolen. According to Apple, the SIM tray will be removed from all US models of the iPhone.
The iPhone 14 and 14 Pro will be available in five different colors: midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and red.
Apple Watches Released
Apple showed off three new smartwatches at the event. These were the Series 8, the SE, and the Ultra.
On the other hand, the Ultra model is meant to help people keep track of endurance training, scuba diving trips, and triathlons. The device has a longer battery life, is more water resistant, and has an improved compass that works at night, in the ocean, and in other conditions.
Apple updated the SE to be up to 20% faster than the previous version. GPS models start at $249, while cellular models start at $299.
The Series 8 model, which starts at $399, is in the middle. The Series 8, like previous versions of Apple's smartwatch, is designed to encourage users to stay active and fit. Apple also highlighted the Watch's women's health features, including redesigned period cycle tracking tools that can predict ovulation. According to the company, tracking data is stored on each device and is only accessible via a passcode or face ID. Apple does not have a key to encrypted data, so it cannot access it unless you give it permission.
The announcement comes as women's data security has become a major issue in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
AirPods Pro 2 are now available
Apple unveiled the latest generation of AirPods Pro, one of the company's most successful products in recent years. The new AirPods Pro will have six hours of listening time on a single charge, which is an improvement over the original model. Each headphone, as well as the case itself, now makes a noise to assist you in finding it. A light swipe up and down the headphone will change the volume.
AirPods Pro now have improved dynamic noise-cancellation technology that can cancel out twice as much noise as the original version. Meanwhile, a new adaptive transparency mode is being developed to reduce harsh environmental noise.
The AirPods Pro 2 are $249 and will be available in stores on Friday
Satellite communication in emergency situations
While Apple did not reveal any groundbreaking new hardware products, at least one new feature could be a game changer for customers—aalbeit in limited circumstances.
Apple says that the new Emergency SOS via Satellite feature was made for the iPhone 14 so that it can connect to satellites when it is not near a terrestrial tower. Users will be able to send and receive information to get emergency help by pointing their device toward a satellite, which the phone will help locate.
According to the company, it developed a short text compression mechanism to condense messages that take about 15 seconds to send if the user has a clear view of the sky. (It may take a few minutes longer if there is something in the way, such as foliage.)
According to Apple, local providers will be notified of the call for assistance.
