These are all the announcements made at the Apple event.
A deluge of new gadgets arrived during the Apple event. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models, the new Apple Watch 8 and two other additions to its wearable portfolio, and the improved AirPods Pro 2 were all covered in a 90-minute presentation by Apple.
That is a lot of product news for one day, and if there is one thing that unites all the new features, it is Apple's desire to make its products even more indispensable. For instance, a crash detection capability is available on the new iPhones and Apple Watches, and your iPhone will be able to send emergency messages via satellite communication.
A new chipset for the iPhones (or at least the iPhone 14 Pro models), improved cameras across the entire iPhone lineup, a temperature sensor and low-power mode for the Apple Watch, and improved audio features in the AirPods Pro 2 are just a few of the additions to the standard improvements you would expect from Apple product updates.
Additionally, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra, a brand-new category of smart watch that is aimed at athletes, explorers, and other people who perform their jobs and engage in recreational activities in hazardous environments. The Apple Watch Ultra has an incredible feature set, and its price is just as impressive (though not as high a price as had been rumored.)
Apple Event Product Announcements
Phone 14: The iPhone 14 isn't a big leap from the iPhone 13, and that includes the new phone's $799 (AU$1,399) price tag. It runs on an A15 system-on-chip as before, but Apple has turned to a 5-core GPU for improved performance over last year's phone. While the main camera is still 12MP, there's a bigger sensor for improved low-light photos.
iPhone 14 Plus: Think of the iPhone 14 Plus as a larger version of the iPhone 14 (or a cheaper, not-as-fully-featured version of the iPhone 14 Pro Max). It's got a 6.7-inch screen and a bigger battery than the 6.1-inch iPhone 14, but otherwise, features are the same.
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max: Easily the biggest surprise of the day is the fact that iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max aren't getting the rumored $100 price increase. Instead, they'll cost $999 (AU$1,749) and $1,099 (AU$1,899), respectively. That's very impressive, considering the 4-nanometer A16 Bionic chipset that powers both phones and significant camera improvements, including a 48MP main shooter. The notch is gone, too, replaced by a cutout named Dynamic Island that incorporates animations and notifications.
Apple Watch 8: Evolution not revolution is truly the aim with this watch, which starts at $399 (AU$649) for the GPS-only version. Big changes include a new temperature sensor, geared toward helping women with reproductive planning, and a low-power mode that doubles the battery life.
Apple Watch SE (2022): Apple seems to be following the iPhone SE's naming structure by slapping a year rather than a number at the end of its less expensive entry-level device. The latest Apple Watch SE gets the crash detection and low-battery mode features found in the Apple Watch 8; its starting price also drops to $249 (AU$399).
Apple Watch Ultra: Apple is opting for a different name than the rumored Apple Watch 8 Pro moniker that had been suggested for its rugged smartwatch. But the other expected features are in place, from a 49mm size to twice the baseline battery life. Apple is promising more precise GPS tracking as well. Apple Watch Ultra starts at $799 (AU$1,299), which is less than the rumored $999 price we were expecting.
AirPods Pro 2: The $249 (AU$399) wireless earbuds get a new H2 chip along with a low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier for improved sound. You'll be able to use the front camera on your iPhone to create a customized spatial audio profile, while other features like active noise cancellation have been improved. Battery life is now 6 hours of playback.
