Apple’s latest products are finally here. On September 12th, Apple held their annual Keynote event at the Steve Jobs Theater and announced the release of their latest gadgets – the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and the new Apple Watch Series 4.
Apple CEO Tim Cook celebrated the recent milestone of 2 billion iOS devices sold and then discussed the new Apple Watch Series 4. According to Apple, the new watch was “redesigned and re-engineered to help you stay even more active, healthy, and connected.” This revitalized gadget has a new electrical heart sensor, re-engineered Digital Crown with haptic feedback, and has the largest Apple Watch display.”
Apple stated that the health app “monitors your heart rate and lets you know if it detects something of concern. And that sense of security now goes a step further with fall detection and Emergency SOS.” Apple even said that it will “inspire you to live a healthier life.” The watch is also water resistance meaning that you can wear it in the pool or the ocean with no problem unless you plan on going scuba diving or water skiing. It is now available to order with a variety of bands, colors, and of course, your option of GPS or GPS + Cellular ranging from $399 to $799.
After months of hearing rumors as to what the new iPhone would entail, the crowd was super excited to see if they were actually true. “iPhone X has changed the industry,” Cook said, pointing to its status as the “number one” smartphone on the planet. “Today, we’re going to take iPhone X to the next level. I’m excited to show you what is by far the most advanced iPhone we have ever created.”
Apple states the iPhone Xs delivers the “most accurate color in the industry, HDR, and true blacks.” In a comparison of the three models, the iPhone Xs Max contains a 6.5 inch display, the iPhone Xs has a 5.8 inch display, and the iPhone Xr has a 6.1 inch display. The iPhone Xs Max boasts the “largest display ever on an iPhone.”
For those who always constantly run out of storage, Apple has raised the storage capacity to 512GB’s making this their “highest-capacity iPhone yet.” The new phones also have improved Face ID algorithms, and the “most powerful chip” with “a whole new level of intelligence.”
Senior VP, Phil Schiller, said that the XS models contain the “most secure” facial recognition service yet. The A12 Bionic chip will even help open apps 30 times faster. The new models contain a “new level of water and dust resistance” and are made of the “most durable glass.” They claim that the models charge faster than the iPhone X and have 30 more minutes of phone life.
Apple is redefining the way we take photos on our smartphones. “We have a brand new feature we call Smart HDR,” Schiller said. “[This] takes that idea so much further […] It is a breakthrough and it makes taking photos easier than ever to get beautiful results.” The “bokeh effect” will allow users to adjust the depth of field after they have taken the picture. With larger and deeper pixels, smart HDR, enhanced bokeh effect, and all-new Depth Control, your photos and videos will all be taken to the next step on this redesigned and powerful camera.
The Xs models range between $999 and $1,099 and are currently available for pre-order.
The last model to be unveiled was the iPhone XR. Schiller said “it comes in incredible new finishes: white, black, blue, coral, yellow. Each beautifully designed with that aluminum finish and glass on the back.”.
In comparison to the iPhone 8 Plus, it gives you an hour and a half more battery life. Just like XS models, this model will contain the A12 Bionic chip. Unlike the other iPhone models, the XR will feature a LCD screen rather than an OLED and only contains one camera, although it still has all the same features as the XS models.
Unlike the XS model, Pre-Orders for the XR will begin on October 19 and prices range between $749 to $899.
