Welcome to our recap of everything announced at Apple’s September 2022 event. This year’s show brought us new iPhones, a new Apple Watch, and much more.
Here’s everything you need to know.
iPhone 14
As widely rumoured, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus were unveiled and will offer the ability to connect to satellite networks in emergencies when regular cell towers may be out of range. With the new feature, urgent messages sent will appear as grey bubbles in the Messages app to distinguish them from iMessage and SMS messages.
The iPhone 14 and the larger iPhone 14 Plus share the same overall design as the iPhone 13 model, but the larger 6.7-inch size replaces the previous 5.4-inch iPhone 13 Mini size.
Both models share the same Retina XDR OLED display with True Tone, Haptic Touch, and a peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits. Internally, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus feature the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13 Pro model for faster graphics.
Improvements to the Pro model’s rear camera include a larger sensor for the wide-angle lens, better low-light performance, and double the Night Mode exposure than before. It has an autofocus front camera.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus also include a new camera feature called the Photonic Engine.
The Photonic Engine enhances mid-low light performance for photos from all cameras through tight hardware and software integration. Up to 2x with the Ultra Wide camera, up to 2x with the TrueDepth camera, and an impressive 2.5x with the new main camera. The Photonic Engine takes advantage of Deep Fusion’s computational advantages early in the imaging process to enable such dramatic improvements in quality, delivering exceptional detail, preserving subtle textures, and enhancing image quality. It provides good colour and retains more information in the photo.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options in Midnight, Blue, Starlight, and Purple. Pre-orders for the new iPhone 14 model will begin on Friday, September 9th, and the iPhone 14 will ship this Friday, September 16th. The large iPhone 14 Plus will start shipping on Friday, October 7th.
Apple announced that all iPhone 14 models sold in the US will not have an integrated SIM card tray, instead relying entirely on eSIM technology. Models sold outside of the US will still include the tray and support plastic SIM cards, as well as be compatible with eSIM for those that wish to use it.
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that allows users to activate a cellular plan without using a physical nano SIM card. The availability of eSIMs is growing rapidly, but the technology is not yet available in all countries.
The new iPhone 14 lineup will consist of the 6.1-inch iPhone 14, 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus, 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max.
iPhone 14 Pro
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max feature the ‘Dynamic Island’ thanks to a redesigned TrueDepth camera array, requiring less space and software integration across the system. The Dynamic Island makes use of the black notch on the front of the display – it adjusts and expands into different shapes in real time to display important alerts, notifications and activities like maps, music, timers, live activity, battery level and facial recognition. It also stays active so users can easily access the controls with a simple tap-and-hold gesture.
The upgraded Super Retina XDR display is up to twice as bright as the iPhone 13 Pro with 2,000 nits of brightness. The always-on feature is included for the first time. The display can be lowered down to a 1Hz refresh rate to keep iOS 16’s redesigned lock screen always visible, letting you see the time, widgets, and live activity at a glance.
The A16 chip is the first Apple chip based on a 4nm process with 16 billion transistors. Apple says the new 6-core CPU with 2 high-performance cores and 4 high-efficiency cores can easily handle demanding workloads. The chip features an accelerated 5-core GPU with 50% more memory bandwidth and a new 16-core neural engine.
A16 Bionic supports the computational photography function of the iPhone 14 Pro and supports the Pro camera system. According to Apple, the CPU, GPU, neural engine and image signal processor work together to support the new camera hardware, performing up to 4 trillion operations per photo.
A16 supports the Photonic Engine, which applies Deep Fusion early in the imaging process to improve low-light performance for all cameras on the device. It also supports action mode to make the video smoother and more stable. Action Mode is now also available in 4K at 24 fps and 30 fps.
The rear camera system features a 48-megapixel wide camera with a 65% larger quad-pixel sensor and second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilisation. For most photos, the quad-pixel sensor combines all four pixels into one large quad pixel (equivalent to 2.44µm), resulting in better low-light shots and a 12MP photo size. The sensor is optimised for ProRAW.
The 48-megapixel wide-angle camera offers 3x true telephoto, as well as a new 2x telephoto, and can even record 4K video without digital zoom. The ultra-wide-angle camera has also evolved. A new adaptive rear flash with 9 LEDs is up to 2x brighter and up to 3x more uniform.
The iPhone 14 Pro also features an improved front camera with ƒ/1.9 aperture and autofocus, a new dual-core accelerometer with crash detection, and emergency SOS with satellite connectivity. Satellite Emergency SOS allows users to connect directly to satellites when cellular signals cannot be received, allowing messaging with emergency services. Users can manually share their location via satellite using Find My when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
The iPhone 14 Pro offers “all-day battery life.” The new device comes with new colour options including space black and deep purple in addition to silver and gold. On the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, the US model will have his SIM tray removed, making eSIM the only option for US shoppers. Outside of the US, both models will still support traditional plastic SIM cards too.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max new are priced at £1099 and £1199 respectively. Pre-orders will begin on Friday September 9th, and shipping will begin on Friday September 16th.
Apple Watch Series 8
The Series 8’s new sensor measures the temperature of the wearer’s wrist every five seconds throughout the night and communicates changes in basal temperature that may be caused by exercise, jet lag, or illness to the user via the Health app. I can warn you. A body temperature sensor enables retrospective ovulation estimation and cycles deviation estimation.
According to Apple, the new sensor joins the standard heart rate sensor and ECG apps to give users a full suite of health features. The 8 Series models also feature a new car crash detection feature that automatically connects to emergency services, provides location information and alerts emergency contacts in the unfortunate event of a serious car crash. To make this possible, the Series 8 is equipped with its new 3-axis gyroscope and high-G accelerometer.
Apple Watch Series 8 offers up to 18 hours of battery life like its predecessors, but watchOS 9 introduces new power-saving modes that limit some features, such as an always-on display and motion detection, and battery life is extended. With Energy Saving Mode enabled, Apple Watch Series 8 lasts up to 36 hours on a single charge.
The Apple Watch Series 8 is available for pre-order today and will be available on Friday, September 16th. The Series 8 starts at £419 for the GPS and £529 for the cellular model. Available in midnight, starlight, silver and PRODUCT(RED) aluminium colours. For Series 8 Stainless Steel models, finish options include silver, gold, and graphite.
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple at its “Far Out” media event announced the Apple Watch Ultra, a new feature-rich smartwatch for athletes and explorers. It features 36 hours of battery life and will be capable of up to 60 hours of battery life with a new low-power battery optimization setting coming later this fall. The new Action button in high-contrast international orange can be customised for instant access to a variety of features, including Workouts, Compass Waypoints, Backtrack, and more. For example, you can start training immediately and move the user to the next interval in a custom workout or the next leg in a multisport workout. It can also be used to mark segments and complements the new track running experience that automatically provides final pace and distance estimates to runners on the course.
Apple Watch Ultra also features three built-in microphones to improve the quality of voice calls, and a new advanced wind noise reduction algorithm to make calls clearer and easier to hear. There’s a new Dark Mode, a Wayfinder watch face with an integrated compass, and space for up to eight complications. The watch also features a new dual-frequency GPS with an integrated depth gauge and a custom positioning algorithm for receiving GPS signals in hard-to-reach areas.
The Apple Watch Ultra also features new Series 8 features, including a new power-saving mode with up to 36 hours of battery life, body temperature sensor, advanced cycle tracking, international roaming on cellular models, and car crash detection.
The latest watchOS 9 also offers new advanced running metrics to measure performance such as stride length, ground contact time, vertical oscillation and running power. And now training views like Segments, Split Times and Elevation gives you the key metrics you can take advantage of with ultra-wide viewing by displaying up to 6 metrics at once.
Jeff Williams, Apple’s COO, said: “Apple Watch Ultra is a versatile tool that allows users to push their limits through adventure, endurance and exploration.”
Apple also offers a variety of bands for hikers, divers, and runners, including Alpine Loop Bands, Ocean Bands, and Super Thin Trail Loops, respectively.
The Apple Watch Ultra starts at £849 and is available for pre-order today. It will be released on September 23rd.
Apple Watch SE
The second-generation Apple Watch SE offers the core Apple Watch experience at a lower price. The Apple Watch SE is 20% faster thanks to the S8 chip, the same chip found in the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra. The S8 chip enables the Apple Watch SE to offer crash detection, international roaming, and power-saving modes.
The rear has been redesigned with a new colour-matched nylon composite to reduce weight. The second-generation Apple Watch SE comes with new colour options, including Midnight, Starlight and Silver.
The second-generation Apple Watch SE starts at £259 for the GPS model and £319 for the cellular model. Orders begin today and will be available on September 16th.
The second-generation Apple Watch SE follows the now-discontinued first-generation model, which launched in September 2020 and started at £259.
AirPods Pro 2
The new AirPods Pro looks similar to the original. A new touch control feature on the stick allows users to swipe up and down to adjust the volume. The silicone earbuds will also come in new XS sizes in addition to S, M, and L.
According to Apple, the combination of the H2 chip and new low-distortion audio drivers and custom amplifiers allow the new AirPods Pro to deliver “bolder bass and crystal-clear sound over a wider frequency range. Active noise cancellation is up to max.” A 2x improvement, with an improved Transparent Mode to better reduce loud ambient noise such as passing vehicle sirens, construction tools, and speakers at concerts.
According to Apple, the new AirPods Pro offers longer battery life with up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge, similar to the standard 3rd generation AirPods released last year. The original AirPods Pro had up to 24 hours of total playtime, while the charging case now offers up to 30 hours of total playtime.
The new charging case offers Find My support with an integrated speaker, IPX4 certified water and sweat resistance, and an integrated lanyard loop. The new case still has a Lightning connector for wired charging, and in addition to MagSafe charging, it can now be charged wirelessly using the Apple Watch’s magnetic charging puck.
According to Apple, customers can personalise their new AirPods Pro charging case with a custom-posed Memoji via the Apple Store app.
The new AirPods Pro can be ordered in the UK on Friday, September 23rd. The price is the original price of £249.
Conclusion
The September 2022 Apple event brought a variety of new products and features, including the iPhone SE, iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, AirPods Pro 2, and more.
With so many new releases, there’s something for everyone at this year’s event. Be sure to check out all the new products and features that Apple has to offer.
The release of the iPhone 14 series also brings with it some well-received price reductions on the previous models, both new and refurbished.