APPLE came out guns blazing with its much anticipated fall event, announcing a whole host of products that are sure to rake in the billions for Apple stockholders. There’s the new iPhone 14, as well as its appropriately named larger model the iPhone 14 Plus, though the real upgrades are coming with the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
However the elephant in the room is the bump in price across the iPhone line-up, with increases ranging from RM300 to RM700, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max with 1TB hard drive costing an eye watering RM8,299, compare to last year’s equivalent iPhone 13 Pro Max with 1TB hard drive going for RM7,599. Some of that is attributable to the weak ringgit, but there are reported price hikes all over the world, except in the US.
In addition to their new flagship phone, Apple announced the latest iterations for their line of smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch SE, as well as the all new Apple Watch ultra for the power users and outdoorsy types. The latest generation of AirPods Pro also made a showing, featuring more improvements.
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max: all the upgrades
After all the rumours, Apple has finally released an Always-On display along with their new Dynamic Island – a new design that introduces an intuitive way to experience the iPhone. Of course, you need to shell out for the premium price of RM5,299 to RM5,799 for the Pro and Pro Max.
Available in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes, both models include a new XDR display with ProMotion (variable frame rates, introduced in the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max) that features the Always-On display for the first time on an iPhone, enabled by a new 1Hz refresh rate and buzzword laden power-efficient technologies.
This allows the new lock screen to have even more utility keeping the time, widgets, and live activities available at a glance. The advanced display also brings a higher peak HDR brightness with the highest outdoor peak brightness in a smartphone: up to 2000 nits, twice as bright as the iPhone 13 Pro.
The other new feature is Dynamic Island which promises to enable new ways to interact with the phone, featuring a design that blends the line between hardware and software, adapting in real time to show important alerts, notifications, and activities.
The front facing camera, now located under the screen, has been redesigned to take up less of the display area. According to what was shown at the press conference, without taking up much screen real estate the Dynamic Island maintains an active state to allow users easier access to controls with a simple tap-and-hold.
Background activities like navigation apps, music players, or timers remain visible and interactive. Third party apps in iOS 16 will also be able to do things like display sports scores or the progress of ride-sharing apps, of course that depends on those companies taking the initiative.
As is expected for these types of launches, the phones come with a new class of pro camera system, with the first-ever 48MP main camera on iPhone featuring a quad-pixel sensor, and Photonic Engine (fancy words to describe Apple’s new imaging processor), an enhanced image pipeline that dramatically improves low-light photos.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be available in four colours: deep purple, silver, gold, and space black. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 16, with availability beginning Friday, September 23.
Apple introduces iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
Not as dramatically updated as the Pro models, the standard iPhones now come in 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches (iPhone 14 Plus). RIP the mini iPhone which was loved by too few. They feature the same chip as last year, as well as the same basic design. The display has received a bump in HDR, as well as a new camera system.
Curiously, Apple also announced the end of sim card trays and physical sim cards as part of a move to eSIM cards. They threw a lot of buzzwords on convenience and security, but the pessimist might see it as another way Apple further tightens the control it has over its ecosystem.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will be available in five colours: midnight, blue, starlight, purple, and (PRODUCT)RED. iPhone 14 will be available starting September 23, with the iPhone 14 Plus coming on October 7, starting from RM4,199.
New watch, who dis?
Starting off by citing explorers, adventurers and extreme sports enthusiasts are indications that are good as any on who Apple is marketing their Apple Watch Ultra to.
The smartwatch features a newer and different design from the other models, emphasising ruggedness to be used in the great outdoors. Featuring a 49mm titanium case and flat sapphire front crystal that features a big and bright display. And befitting this setting, Apple is touting a 36 hour battery life on a single charge, which can be extended to 60 hours on low power mode.
The Wayfinder watch face designed specifically for the larger Apple Watch Ultra display includes a compass built into the dial, with space for up to eight complications.
Apple Watch Ultra also brings three new bands, Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band, offering unique design features that provide a secure and comfortable fit for every adventure.
Apple Watch Ultra is available to order today, starting from RM3,799 with availability beginning Friday, September 23.
The Apple Watch Series 8 and the new Apple Watch SE, are more expected refreshes and updates to performance.
Apple Watch Series 8 includes a large, Always-On Retina display and a strong crack-resistant front crystal. It also has an all-day 18-hour battery life and a whole suite of health and safety monitoring features, which have made up the full thrust of their promotion campaign.
The ECG app and fall detection, introducing temperature-sensing capabilities, retrospective ovulation estimates, are among the feature set.
The Apple Watch Series 8 starts at RM 1,899, while the Apple Watch SE comes in at RM1,199.
AirPods Pro, easy listening at a premium
Finally, Apple announced the second generation of AirPods Pro, for the low low price of RM1,099 (/s). Featuring upgraded takes on Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, it pushes further Apple’s use of Spatial Audio. There will also be touch controls on the stem of the earphones for playback and volume changes.
Their date of availability in Malaysia is yet to be determined. – The Vibes, September 8, 2022
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