Apple Event Recap – iPhone 14, Apple Watch 8, new AirPods Pro & More

Another year, another iPhone. But will this one make anyone with a fairly newer model want to upgrade?

The Apple event brought in some fresh new products during their 90 minute presentation including the new iPhone 14 & iPhone 14 Pro models, the new Apple Watch 8 as well as 2 other additions to the watch lineup along with the AirPods Pro 2. The new iPhones and Apple Watches have a crash detection feature, for example, and your iPhone will be able to send emergency messages via satellite connectivity. 

Here is a closer look at everything Apple announced at its September 7 Far Out event

iPhone 14

The iPhone 14 isn’t a big leap from the iPhone 13, and that includes the new phone’s $799 (AU$1,399) price tag. It runs on an A15 system-on-chip as before, but Apple has turned to a 5-core GPU for improved performance over last year’s phone. While the main camera is still 12MP, there’s a bigger sensor for improved low-light photos.

iPhone 14 Plus

Think of the iPhone 14 Plus as a larger version of the iPhone 14 (or a cheaper, not-as-fully-featured version of the iPhone 14 Pro Max). It’s got a 6.7-inch screen and a bigger battery than the 6.1-inch iPhone 14, but otherwise, features are the same.

iPhone 14 Pro & iPhone 14 Pro Max

Easily the biggest surprise of the day is the fact that iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max aren’t getting the rumored $100 price increase. Instead, they’ll cost $999 (AU$1,749) and $1,099 (AU$1,899), respectively. That’s very impressive, considering the 4-nanometer A16 Bionic chipset that powers both phones and significant camera improvements, including a 48MP main shooter. The notch is gone, too, replaced by a cutout named Dynamic Island that incorporates animations and notifications.

Apple Watch 8

Evolution not revolution is truly the aim with this watch, which starts at $399 (AU$649) for the GPS-only version. Big changes include a new temperature sensor, geared toward helping women with reproductive planning, and a low-power mode that doubles the battery life.

Apple Watch SE (2022)

Apple seems to be following the iPhone SE’s naming structure by slapping a year rather than a number at the end of its less expensive entry-level device. The latest Apple Watch SE gets the crash detection and low-battery mode features found in the Apple Watch 8; its starting price also drops to $249 (AU$399).

Apple Watch Ultra

Apple is opting for a different name than the rumored Apple Watch 8 Pro moniker that had been suggested for its rugged smartwatch. But the other expected features are in place, from a 49mm size to twice the baseline battery life. Apple is promising more precise GPS tracking as well. Apple Watch Ultra starts at $799 (AU$1,299).

AirPods Pro 2

The $249 (AU$399) wireless earbuds get a new H2 chip along with a low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier for improved sound. You’ll be able to use the front camera on your iPhone to create a customized spatial audio profile, while other features like active noise cancellation have been improved. Battery life is now 6 hours of playback.

For those who are keen on watching the 90 minute presentation, you can check it out below