After a lengthy wait, Apple has finally introduced its yearly iPhone refresh, along with a slew of changes to the Apple Watch and AirPods. The new iPhone 15 launch, announced yesterday at the Cupertino technology company’s ‘Wonderlust’ exhibition, claims to bring the most powerful range of Apple portables ever released, but that’s not all. Following a European Union rule, Apple has finally caved in and moved its exclusive Lightning charging connector to the internationally used USB-C port. Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s product debut in 2023.
New Apple Lineup 2023
The annual Apple hardware showcase, arguably the most important day on the technology calendar, shows the finest in new devices and improvements. While the iPhone 15 clearly stole the show, a number of other launches grabbed headlines as well, some for less glamorous reasons.
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
The next Apple iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max phones, set to be released in 2023, take the American technology giant in a (somewhat) radical new direction. Just as last year’s iPhone 14 lacked significant internal advancements, the new iPhone 15 Pro Max lineup focuses on the outside.
Apple has coated the new phone with aerospace-grade titanium for 2023, claiming that it will preserve strength while simultaneously lowering weight. Further design upgrades support Apple’s vision of a future without sharp edges, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max sporting an even more curved border than its predecessor, as well as a new configurable Action button.
The new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models have also received a camera upgrade, including a more powerful 48MP Main camera system that now supports the new super-high-resolution 24MP default, according to Apple. Expect additional portrait capabilities including Focus and Depth Control, enhancements to Night mode and Smart HDR, and an all-new 5x Telephoto camera exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Inside, the new 6-core CPU in the A17 Pro is expected to open up new experiences for iPhone 15 Pro Max customers, with the newly integrated USBC connector supposedly up to 20x faster than USB 2. Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Greg Joswiak, branded the two new launches as the’most pro’ portfolio ever launched under the Apple name.
“This is the most pro line-up we have ever created, with a state-of-the-art titanium design, the best iPhone camera system yet that enables game-changing new workflows, and the A17 Pro chip, which ushers in a new chapter of performance and games never before seen on iPhone,” Joswiak said. “The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max represent the best of Apple design and industry-first innovations to help enrich our users’ everyday experiences while unleashing their creativity.”
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will come in four new colors: black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium. Pre-orders begin on Friday, September 15, with availability commencing on Friday, September 22; however, you should start saving soon since these bad boys will not be cheap. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be available in four different finishes: black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium. The iPhone 15 Pro costs $1,849 in Australia, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max costs $2,199.
iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
On the simpler side of things, the new iPhone 15 and 15 Plus receive a slew of improvements, but Apple stops short of adorning these entry-level phones (if you can call them that with a starting price of AUD$1,499) with titanium. Instead, the new releases include a ‘industry-first’ color-infused back glass, which also extends to the new countered edge design.
Both models include the Dynamic Island, which debuted in the iPhone 14 last year, as well as a new camera system and processing capability. The new iPhone 15 and 15 Plus include a 48MP main camera with a 2x Telephoto option and enhanced portrait skills.
The new phones are powered by the A16 Bionic, which is a step down from Big Brother’s all-encompassing A17 Pro, but it’s still nothing to sneeze at. Apple’s in-house processors have proven to be extremely popular and powerful in recent years, with the architecture greatly beating our expectations.
Pink, yellow, green, blue, and black will be the new colors for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Pre-orders commence on Friday, September 15, with shipping beginning on Friday, September 22. The iPhone 15 will start at AUD$1,499, while the iPhone 15 Plus will cost around AUD$1,649.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
When Apple launched the robust and durable Watch Ultra last year, it generated quite a stir, and its successor is sure to follow similar. The new Apple Watch Ultra 2 builds on the already amazing spec sheet of the previous model by adding a slew of functions that will almost certainly go unnoticed by the desk jockeys who are frequently spotted wearing them.
The Ultra 2 watch, like the Series 9 watch, is powered by the new S9 SiP and includes a new double tap gesture, Apple’s brightest display yet, and an enhanced altitude range for true adventurers. The good news is that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 runs watchOS 10, which gives users access to Smart Stack, new cycling experiences, and a new watch face called Modular Ultra. Best of all, despite all of the new features, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 retains the same 36-hour battery life with typical use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode that we enjoyed with the first iteration.
“This year, we’ve made our most rugged and capable Apple Watch even better,” said Apple’s chief operating officer, Jeff Williams. “The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is our most advanced Apple Watch, with outstanding performance and feature enhancements.” It’s ideal for anyone looking for the largest, brightest display, longest battery life, and best GPS performance of any Apple Watch, all in a gorgeous style.”
The S9 SiP, according to Apple, has a powerful 4-core Neural Engine that can handle machine learning workloads up to twice as fast as the original Apple Watch Ultra. Apple Watch Ultra 2 may be bought now and will be available on Friday, September 22nd. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available in 49mm and costs AUD$1,399.
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple has spent substantial time and work in recent years bolstering its environmental initiatives, with the new Apple Watch Series 9 possibly being the clearest example of this. The new wearable technology is said to be’more powerful than ever’ thanks to the new S9 SiP, but it also has a carbon-neutral alternative (more on that later).
Apple Watch Series 9 does not totally reinvent the wheel for users, instead opting to simply add additional functionality to an already adored device. Apple has included a new double tap gesture, as well as a brighter display, faster on-device Siri, and Precision Finding for iPhone this time around. Importantly, the Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by watchOS 10, which the company claims has “redesigned apps, the new Smart Stack, new watch faces, new cycling and hiking features, and tools to support mental health.”
Perhaps most crucially, Apple has finally addressed battery life problems, with the Series 9 purportedly capable of running for an entire 18-hour period. According to Apple’s chief operating officer, Jeff Williams, the new S9 SiP has a new 4-core Neural Engine that can handle machine learning workloads up to twice as fast as the Apple Watch Series 8.
“Apple Watch is an indispensable companion that helps millions of people with their health, fitness, communications, and safety,” Apple’s chief operating officer, Jeff Williams, said. “We’re launching our best Apple Watch lineup yet, with incredible new capabilities and technological advancements such as a new double tap gesture, brighter display, on-device Siri, and our first-ever carbon neutral products.” There has never been a more compelling opportunity to experience Apple Watch, whether people are upgrading from previous models or purchasing their first.”
Customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the UAE, the United Kingdom, and the United States can order the Apple Watch Series 9 starting today, with retail availability commencing on Friday, September 22. The Apple Watch Series 9 costs $649, while the Apple Watch SE costs $399.
AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Updates
The addition of USB-C charging to the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) product portfolio was one of the most significant updates to come out of the ‘Wonderlust’ presentation. This essentially means that the headphones will use the same charging cord as the iPhone 15, iPad Pro, MacBook, and the vast majority of other smart devices, which is long overdue.
According to Apple, the new audio devices offer up to double the Active Noise Cancellation of the previous generation, as well as an improved Transparency mode and enhancements to the Spatial Audio experience. Impressively, the latest versions include an H2 chip, which is said to deliver 20-bit, 48-kHz Lossless Audio with a significant reduction in audio latency.
While that may not mean much to most people, it should excite the gamers among us. These changes (and even wording) hint that the new AirPods Pro headphones will be the ideal companion for the next Apple Vision Pro, which will be available in early 2024.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USBC) will be available for pre-order now and in stores on Friday, September 22. They cost AUD$399 each.
Carbon Neutral Products
As with the Apple Watch Series 9, the new 2023 Apple portfolio is united by a single theme: sustainability. While you could argue that mass production procedures aren’t exactly environmentally friendly, you have to admit Apple is making strides.
Apple stated at the ‘Wonderlust’ event that a large number of new goods are totally carbon-neutral, resulting in a decrease in product emissions of more than 75% for each carbon-neutral Apple Watch.
“At Apple, we have a long history and track record of leading the fight against climate change.” “Our emphasis on renewable energy and low-carbon design has already resulted in industry-leading emissions reductions, and we’re not slowing down,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “We’ve made the world’s most popular watch carbon neutral — and we’ll keep innovating to meet the urgency of the moment.”
2023 Apple Showcase Frequently Asked Questions
What is Apple planning to release in September 2023?
Apple announced the new iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, as well as enhancements to the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) and a slew of carbon-neutral product advances, at its ‘Wonderlust’ event on September 13, 2023.
When will the Apple iPhone 15 be available?
Pre-orders for the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will commence on Friday, September 15, with shipping beginning on Friday, September 22.
What is the cost of the iPhone 15?
The iPhone 15 will start at AUD$1,499, while the iPhone 15 Plus will cost around AUD$1,649. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro begins at AUD$1,849 and the iPhone 15 Pro Max begins at AUD$2,199.
