Apple Event: iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches

Apple holds its annual September showcase to detail the tweaks and changes in its fall lineup. This year, the event focused on iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches.

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro

After months and months of rumors regarding storage size, screen features, and more, Apple announced the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models. Technically speaking, the iPhone 14 model is nearly identical to last year’s model. The A15 Bionic chip is the same, the main camera is the same, and it also sports the same entry price tag, $799.

Early in the iPhone 14 development cycle, COVID-19 severely limited to production of new chips for new phones. Apple decided to “overclock” the iPhone 13 model, increase the camera sensor, and keep the same price tag.

The iPhone 14 Pro models received a limited supply of A16 Bionic chips. The Pro models also received a much improved 48 mp camera. Apple reduced the front screen “notch” into a “pill” shape ahead of the iPhone 15’s rumored pure screen approach. The Pro model will launch at the same price as last year’s model, $999 and $1099 for the Pro Max.

Apple Watch

The two flagship models of the Apple Watch received modest software updates. The new Apple Watch SE solidifies itself as the “entry point” for smartwatch users. The SE model sports nearly all of the features of the Series 8 model, at the entry price of $249.

Apple Watch Series 8 launches with a few incremental changes over the previous iteration. A new sensor for temperature readings and a low-power battery mode brings the price to $399 for the GPS model, and $499 for the cellular model.

The big surprise of the event was the first look at a new premium Apple Watch made specifically for the elite athlete. The Apple Watch Ultra features twice the battery life of the Series 8 model, precise GPS tracking, rugged activity-proof bands, a new action button, and a new dive computer array for scuba-diving. The Ultra model launches at $799.

AirPods Pro

The AirPod section of the Apple event was squeezed in between the Apple Watch and the iPhone and if you blinked, you may have missed it. The 2nd generation of Air Pods Pro receives a new H2 chip with better processors. The Spatial Audio feature gets a new update with adaptive transparency to help with noise at a damaging decibel. The new AirPods Pro will launch at $249.

Bottom line, this year was a software evolution year for Apple, not a hardware one. If you recently purchased a new Apple product within the last year, then perhaps this year’s line is not for you. If you are looking for Apple to make huge design changes and improvements, fix your eyes on 2023.

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