Apple Unveils New iPhone 15 Lineup and Apple Watch Series 9
iPhone 15 Lineup
The month of September marks the arrival of Apple’s latest iPhones and Apple Watches. At the highly anticipated Wonderlust event on September 12, Apple showcased its new iPhone 15 lineup, which includes the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. While these devices offer incremental improvements, they may not be necessary upgrades for those satisfied with their older models. Pre-orders for the new iPhones begin on September 15, with delivery and in-store availability set for September 22.
Updates and Release Dates
Alongside the iPhone announcement, Apple also revealed the release dates for various software updates. iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, tvOS 17, and HomePod Software 17 will become available for download on September 18. macOS 14 Sonoma is set to arrive on September 26. It is advisable to wait a week or two before installing the initial batch of updates to avoid any potential bugs. As for Sonoma, it is recommended to hold off for a few months or until compatibility with necessary Mac apps is confirmed. It is crucial to make a backup right before updating in case any unexpected issues arise during the process.
iPhone 15 Lineup Details
Last year, Apple introduced a four-part iPhone lineup, and this trend continues with the iPhone 15 lineup. The new models include the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus. On the high end, there are the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, available in the same sizes. The industrial design has been updated with slightly contoured corners. The iPhone 15 models come in five pastel colors with an aluminum enclosure and color-infused back glass. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro models feature a titanium enclosure in four colors.
Three notable changes apply to all the iPhone 15 models:
- USB-C for charging and data transfer: The new European Union regulations have led to the replacement of the Lightning port with a USB-C jack on all iPhone 15 models. While it may be inconvenient to have both Lightning and USB-C cables on hand until all Lightning devices become obsolete, many Apple users already possess USB-C cables and chargers for their iPads and MacBooks.
- Roadside Assistance via satellite: With the extension of Emergency SOS via satellite, individuals experiencing vehicle difficulties in cellular dead zones can now receive help using satellite messaging. Apple provides access to satellite services for two years, and AAA membership in the US includes this roadside service. Non-AAA members can purchase the service independently.
- Better Precision Finding: The iPhone 15 models, as well as the new Apple Watch models, come equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip. This chip enables Precision Finding in the Find My app, allowing users to accurately locate each other at a significantly greater range. Apple suggests that iPhone 15-equipped friends can be found in a crowded area using this feature.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus offer increased performance with the A16 Bionic chip borrowed from the iPhone 14 Pro. Additionally, these models feature a new 48-megapixel camera and adopt the Dynamic Island concept, eliminating the need for a notch by displaying alerts and Live Activities near the camera and sensor package area on the screen.
For the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the major change is the replacement of the Ring/Silent switch with a new Action button. This multifunctional button can be pressed and held to put the iPhone 15 Pro into silent mode or to activate various functions such as Voice Memos, Focus modes, camera or flashlight access, Accessibility options, or launching of Shortcuts.
The iPhone 15 Pro models offer a 48-megapixel main camera with enhanced computational photography capabilities, thanks to the new A17 Pro chip. The iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out with its tetraprism design, enabling a 5x optical zoom feature. Other improvements include a USB-C port with faster transfer speeds for the iPhone 15 Pro and support for Wi-Fi 6e, enabling faster wireless transfers. These upgrades are particularly useful for media professionals working with large image, audio, or video files.
Pricing for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus starts at $799 and $899, respectively, for the 128 GB storage option. Higher storage capacities of 256 GB and 512 GB are available. The iPhone 15 Pro begins at $999 for 128 GB, with storage options of 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is priced at $1199 for 256 GB, with storage options of 512 GB and 1 TB. For those on a tighter budget, Apple still offers the iPhone SE ($429), iPhone 13 ($599), and iPhone 14 ($699) models for sale.
Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple also announced the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. These new models build upon last year’s releases, showcasing the increased performance and efficiency of Apple’s new S9 SiP (System in Package) technology. There are no industrial design changes for these watches.
A prominent improvement in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the introduction of a new double tap gesture. Utilizing the faster Neural Engine in the S9 chip, the watches can now detect when a double tap gesture is performed by the index finger and thumb. This gesture is interpreted by watchOS 10 as a command to activate the primary button in an app. It can be used for various functions such as answering or ending a phone call, stopping a timer, playing and pausing music, snoozing an alarm, taking a photo, or scrolling through the new watchOS 10 Smart Stack directly from the watch face. This feature will be available next month.
Other improvements driven by the S9 chip include:
- Brighter displays: The Apple Watch Series 9 can now display up to 2000 nits, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers up to 3000 nits of brightness. This enhancement significantly improves readability, especially in bright sunlight.
- On-device Siri: Siri requests that do not require internet connectivity can now be processed directly on the Apple Watch, making Siri more useful in situations where there is no Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
- More capable and accurate Siri: The updated Siri integration allows users to access health data, such as sleep hours and Activity ring progress. Additionally, Siri can now log health-related data, including weight, periods, and medications taken. Availability of these features is scheduled for later this year. Apple also claims a 25% improvement in dictation accuracy.
- Precision Finding and HomePod integration: The S9’s second-generation Ultra Wideband chip enables the Precision Finding feature, which provides directions to a lost iPhone 15 instead of merely playing a sound. When near a HomePod, the Apple Watch offers media controls and suggests media content in the Smart Stack.
Furthermore, both the original Apple Watch Ultra and the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 models introduce the Modular Ultra watch face. This watch face utilizes the outermost edge of the large display to present real-time data, such as seconds, altitude, or depth.
Prices for the Apple Watch Series 9 start at $399 for the 41mm aluminum GPS-only model, with an additional $30 for the 45mm models. Cellular connectivity can be added for an extra $100. Color options include pink, midnight, starlight, silver, and PRODUCT(RED). Stainless steel models begin at $699 for the 41mm version and feature built-in cellular connectivity. Pricing for the 45mm models is $50 higher. Different bands, including textile and stainless steel options, range from an additional $50 to $300. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains priced at $799 and is available with the Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, or Ocean Band.
Compared to the previous models, the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 offer improvements in performance and functionality. However, these enhancements might not justify an upgrade for those who already own last year’s models. The new watches are excellent choices for individuals new to the Apple Watch or those who are upgrading from older versions. For those looking for a more affordable option, Apple still offers the Apple Watch SE, which lacks the Always-On display and ECG capabilities but is $150 less expensive than the Series 9. Apple provides a comparison page to help users understand the differences between the models.
(Featured image by Apple)