Apple annual Fall event took place this afternoon and saw the introduction of a new version of all of Apple’s top mobile products, including the iPhone and its many variations, including Plus, Pro, and Max; the Apple Watch, including one model for extreme athletes and adventurers; and the second-gen Apple AirPods Pro. There’s some exciting news for those who want to try Apple Fitness+ but don’t yet have an Apple Watch.
Here are the highlights from the event.
Apple iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
As expected, Apple introduced its latest iPhones, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, which come with 6.1 and 6.7-inch screens, respectively, along with new camera upgrades and safety features.
The camera systems include main and front TrueDepth cameras along with an ultra-wide camera. Powered by the A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU, they include new safety features like Crash Detection, which can detect a severe crash and contact emergency services, sending your location if you are unresponsive for more than 10 seconds.
Emergency SOS via satellite, meanwhile, allows you to contact others even without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. iPhone front-loads a few vital questions to assess your situation and shows you where to point the phone to connect to a satellite. The initial questionnaire and follow-up messages are then relayed to centres staffed by Apple‑trained specialists who can call for help on your behalf. Emergency SOS will be available starting November and will come at a cost, though the service will be included for free for two years with the activation of iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
Made of aerospace aluminum, both phones have an updated internal design for better thermal performance along with a Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology that supports 1200 nits of peak HDR brightness, a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and Dolby Vision. There’s also a new durable Ceramic Shield front cover that protects the phones from common spills and accidents, as well as water and dust.
A new Action mode provides smooth-looking video that adjusts to significant shakes, motion, and vibrations, even when video is being captured in the middle of the action. The ultra-wide camera, offering a unique perspective for wider shots and improvements to low-light photos with Photonic Engine. Cinematic mode, now available in 4K at 30 fps and 4K at 24 fps, while you also get end-to-end Dolby Vision HDR.
Both phones will run on the new iOS 16, which includes updates like a new, more personalized Lock Screen look. It will be available as a free software update starting September 12.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will be available in midnight, blue, starlight, purple, and (PRODUCT)RED in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities. Pre-orders start September 9
and the iPhone 14 will be available September 16 and iPhone 14 Plus October 7.
The iPhone 14 is $45.79 a month for 24 months or $1,099 before trade-in, and iPhone 14 Plus is $52.04 a month for 24 months or $1,249 before trade-in. Customers who purchase iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will receive three free months of Apple Arcade with a new subscription.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
Also new to the line is the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which offer new designs and come powered by the A16 Bionic chip. The iPhone 14 Pro has a 48MP main camera with quad-pixel sensor, the first for an iPhone, along with Photonic Engine for improving low-light photos, and new features like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS.
The iPhone 14 Pro has a 6.1-inch screen and the iPhone 14 Pro Max a 6.7-inch screen, both with a new Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, 1Hz refresh rate, and plenty of useful options now viewable from the Lock Screen, including time, widgets, and Live Activities. They also offer twice the brightness of the iPhone 13 Pro at up to 2,000 nits, making them highly visible in outdoor direct sunlight.
With the Ceramic Shield front cover, what truly sets these phones apart is the Dynamic Island that enables new ways to interact with iPhone, adapting in real time to show important alerts, notifications, and activities. With the introduction of the Dynamic Island, the TrueDepth camera has been redesigned to take up less of the display area. Without impeding content on the screen, the Dynamic Island maintains an active state to permit easier access to controls with a simple tap-and-hold. Ongoing background activities like Maps, Music, or a timer remain visible and interactive, and third-party apps in iOS 16 that provide information like sports scores and ride sharing with Live Activities can take advantage of the Dynamic Island.
The new 12MP ultra-wide camera delivers sharper images with more detail, while the improved Telephoto camera offers 3x optical zoom. The new front TrueDepth camera enables better low-light performance for photos and video. Using autofocus for the first time, it can focus even faster in low light and capture group shots from farther away.
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be available in deep purple, silver, gold, and space black in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities for pre-order starting September 9 and for purchase starting September 16.
The iPhone 14 Pro is available for $58.29/mo. for 24 months or $1,399 before trade-in and the iPhone 14 Pro Max for $64.54/mo. for 24 months or $1,549 before trade-in. Customers who purchase iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will receive three months of Apple Arcade with a new subscription.
Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE
Just a year after the launch of the Apple Watch Series 7, the company has debuted the Series 8 version, as well as the pared down Apple Watch SE.
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a large, always-on Retina display, crack-resistant front crystal, and offers up to 18-hour battery life, which still leaves much to be desired in this department. There is, however, a new Low Power Mode that extends battery life to up to 36 hours by temporarily disabling or limiting select sensors and features.
The Watch has the usual features Apple Watch owners have come to expect, including the ECG app and fall detection along with new temperature sensing capabilities for women’s menstrual health, and the same Crash Detection feature found in the iPhones.
Both models are powered by watchOS 9, introducing new and more customizable watch faces like Lunar and Metropolitan, an enhanced Workout app, sleep stages, a first-of-its-kind AFib History feature, and an all-new Medications app.
The redesigned Compass app in watchOS 9 surfaces more in-depth information and three distinct views. The app displays a new hybrid view that simultaneously shows both an analog compass dial and a digital view. Turning the Digital Crown reveals an additional view that includes latitude, longitude, elevation, and incline, as well as an orienteering view showing Compass Waypoints and Backtrack. Backtrack uses GPS data to create a path showing where you have been, which is useful if you get lost or disoriented and need help retracing steps. It can turn on automatically in the background when off the grid. Compass Waypoints are a quick and convenient way to mark a location or point of interest directly in the app. Tapping the Compass Waypoint icon drops a waypoint. Selecting one provides a targeted view of the direction of the waypoint and an approximation of how far away it is.
The Workout app in watchOS 9 includes new in-session views, such as Segments, Splits, and Elevation, that offer more precise workout data. Improve training with advanced workout experiences, including Heart Rate Zones, Custom Workouts, Pacer, and, coming later this year, Race Route. For triathlons or activities with any sequence of swimming, biking, or running, the new Multisport workout uses autodetection to easily switch between workouts and records transition times. watchOS 9 also brings more data and features to help track how efficiently you run. New running form metrics, including Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, and Vertical Oscillation, can all be added as metrics on Workout Views.
Sleep tracking in watchOS 9 now includes sleep stages; while the new Medications experience helps you manage and track medications, vitamins, and supplements, creating a medications list, setting up schedules and reminders, and viewing information on medications in the Health app.
Apple Watch Series 8 will be available across a range of case finishes, colours, and band types, in aluminum and stainless-steel cases in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm. Aluminum case colours for Apple Watch Series 8 include starlight, midnight, silver, and (PRODUCT)RED, while the stainless steel case offers silver, graphite, and gold. It will start at $529.
The Apple Watch SE, meanwhile, starting at $329, is a pared down version of the Watch, marking the most affordable new one to date. It has the same advanced dual-core processor found in the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra and includes premium features like Crash Detection.
It sports a redesigned matching back case made of a nylon composite material so it’s lightweight. Enjoy the new Compass app and other features new to the Apple Watch line.
The Apple Watch SE will come in 40mm and 44mm aluminum cases, in midnight, starlight, and silver finishes, and is compatible with all bands. Three months of Apple Fitness+ are included for customers who purchase Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, or Apple Watch Ultra, or new purchases of Apple Watch Series 4 or later.
Apple Watch Ultra
The latest iteration of the Apple Watch is coming September 23, and there’s some exciting new updates to justify the “Ultra” moniker. As the name implies, this is the smartwatch for super serious athletes who are using it for more than counting steps, tracking the odd exercise, and keeping in touch. It’s designed to be used in extreme environments thanks to its rugged aerospace-grade titanium case and flat sapphire front crystal. As the “biggest and brightest” Apple Watch display to date at 2,000 nits of brightness, twice as bright as previous generation Apple Watches.
It includes a Wayfinder watch face with a built-in compass and space for up to eight complications. You also get a customizable Action button you can use for workouts, Backtrack (which shows where you have been should you get lost or disoriented), compass waypoints, and more.
While battery life is vastly improved, it’s still notably subpar compared to smartwatches from other brands at just 36 hours per charge, or a day and-a-half. There is a low-power setting that extends this to 60 hours.
With three built-in microphones, you’ll get improved sound quality during voice calls, combined with the advanced wind reduction algorithms.
There’s also improved GPS positioning, and watchOS 9. Thanks to the large screen, you can view up to six metrics at once, including segments, splits, and elevation.
Other features include heart rate zones, custom workouts, pacer, and, coming later this year, race route. A new multisport workout includes auto-detection so triathletes and duathletes can easily track multiple workouts, back-to-back.
Along with the rugged materials is the ability for the Apple Watch Ultra to operate in extreme temperatures, from as cold as -20°C to as hot as 55°C. The watch is certified to the relevant aspects of MIL-STD-810H, used for military equipment and popular among rugged equipment manufacturers. Testing includes Low Pressure (Altitude), High Temperature, Low Temperature, Temperature Shock, Contamination by Fluids, Rain, Humidity, Immersion, Sand and Dust, Freeze/Thaw, Ice/Freezing Rain, Shock, Vibration, and more.
It can also be used under water with a WR100 certification, which means everything from recreational scuba diving to wakeboarding. With the new depth gauge, you can even see time, current depth, water temperature, duration under water, and max depth reached. In partnership with Huish Outdoors, it can also be used with the Oceanic+ app as a dive computer.
Other new features include temperature sensing for women’s health, and Crash Detection.
You can pair the new Apple Watch Ultra with new band options including Trail Loop for endurance athletes and runners, Alpine Loop for explorers, and Ocean Band for those who love to engage in extreme water sports.
Once available starting September 23, the Apple Watch Ultra will sell for $1,099 in Canada and come with three months of Apple Fitness+. watchOS 9, meanwhile, will be available for Apple Watch Series 4 and later devices starting Monday, September 12.
This isn’t a standard version of the Apple Watch: the Ultra is designed for extreme athletes and adventurers. The most logical option for the everyday user, then, is the new Apple Watch Series 8 or SE.
Apple AirPods Pro – 2nd Gen
Apple has also updated its AirPods Pro true wireless earbuds with the second-gen edition that includes the new H2 chip with “major upgrades” to Active Noise Cancellation, including cancelling up to twice as much noise over the previous-generation model, says Apple. Improvements to Transparency Mode help reduce loud environmental noise like a passing vehicle siren, construction tools, or loud speakers at a concert or event.
The new earbuds also offers more immersive Spatial Audio that uses the TrueDepth camera on an iPhone to create a personal profile for Spatial Audio that precisely tunes listening to each individual user. This includes dynamic head tracking when listening to music or watching movies and TV shows as well from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV.
Touch control is now available for media playback and volume adjustments directly from the stem: swipe up or down to increase or decrease, press to change the song, answer a call, and more, or say “Hey Siri” to make hands-free requests.
There’s also longer battery life at up to six hours per charge with ANC on, and up to 30 hours total with the new sweat- and water-resistant charging case that comes with a lanyard loop, representing six more hours than with the first-gen model. You can now charge AirPods Pro with an Apple Watch charger, in addition to a MagSafe charger, Qi-certified charging mat, or the Lightning cable. Personalize the charging case you’re your individual Memoji, including custom-posed Memoji, Animoji, and a curated list of stickers. To begin engraving, create and upload a Memoji in the Apple Store app.
The second-gen AirPods Proscome with an additional ear tip size in extra-small for a better fit. A new built-in skin detect sensor that more accurate turn playback on or off. A dedicated AirPods section in iOS settings makes it easy to access and control AirPods features.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) will be available to order online and in the Apple Store app starting Friday, September 9, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 23. Pricing is $329, and you get six months of Apple Music access with purchase. Memoji engraving is free.
Apple Fitness+ Updates
Later this fall, for the first time ever, Apple Fitness+ will be available for all iPhone users, even if they don’t have an Apple Watch. iPhone users will have access to the entire service featuring over 3,000 studio-style workouts and meditations, all led by the team of trainers. Fitness+ users will see onscreen trainer guidance and interval timing, and estimated calories burned will be used to make progress on their Move ring.
Fitness+ will be fully integrated with the Fitness app coming with iOS 16 and located in the middle tab, where you can stay motivated to close a Move ring through awards, activity sharing, and more. You only need an iPhone to sign up, and can experience Fitness+ on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
Apple Fitness+ is $12.99/mo. or $99.99/yr. and can be shared with up to five other family members. Currently, Fitness+ requires an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 7.2 and is available when paired with iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14.3. To get the newest features, use Apple Fitness+ with Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 9 paired with iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16, iPad with iPadOS 16, or Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with tvOS 16.