Apple’s new devices revealed at virtual event

A virtual California-based event unveiled four novel iPhones, along with a new Apple Watch and iPads on Tuesday.

The new models, including an iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. No revolutionary design alterations or features were revealed, in comparison to the 2020 5G announcement – there’s been no news of portless iPhones or under-display touch ID.

On the contrary, the event meant a “back-to-basics” approach for Apple. All the improvements are predictable: improved cameras, more powerful battery and quicker processing. However, certain new additions were valuable, such as the mind-blowing storage option for the Pros and the new video Portrait mode option. Surprisingly, Apple has made the upgrades without a rise in the base device prices.

The event was very important for Apple. iPhones are still a major revenue source for the firm and remain at the core of its product ecosystem. In addition, the revealing comes in the midst of uncertain times: last week’s ruling by a US judge prevents Apple from prohibiting app developers from letting users make payments outside the App Store. The company is undergoing an antitrust investigation by US and foreign regulators. Moreover, there recently were heated disputes about Apple’s controversial approach to child exploitation and the methods of combating it.

Last Tuesday, Apple made an attempt to disperse the clouds. Here’s what we’ve learned.

iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max

The high-end iPhone Pros were at the focus of Apple's event, at least in the iPhone line. The 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Pro and the imposing 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max incorporate Apple's new-fangled, powerful A15 Bionic chip, which Apple claims to be the fastest CPU in any smartphone on the market. One thing it’ll endow the new iPhones with better machine learning capabilities, which include the ability to analyze text in photo and real-time video analysis.

The Pro phones incorporate a five-core CPU with graphics that are 50% faster than before. The is an upgrade that will make gamers very happy, just as the bright Super Retina XDR display that refreshes faster, an all-day battery life and a 1-terabyte storage option, which is twice the preceding maximum storage capacity.

The camera system received a major overhaul as well, with the new 3X optical zoom 77-mm telephoto lens and the new wide and ultrawide cameras.

As far as prices go, the Pro and Pro Max start at $999 and $1,099, respectively. (The 1-TB iPhone Pro Max will cost $1,599.) The color range includes graphite, gold, silver and sierra blue. The whole iPhone 13 line will start shipping on Friday, September 24.

iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini

The smaller 6.1-inch iPhone 13 and 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini will run on the very same A15 Bionic chip as the Pro line. The diagonally set dual-camera system and longer-lasting batteries will also be a part of the setup. The new iPhones should last 2.5 hours longer than its predecessor, while the iPhone 13 mini will work 1.5 hours longer.

Other great new features include, a new 5G chip and display, and something called Cinematic Mode – a Portrait mode feature for videos.

$699 is the starting price for the 128-GB iPhone mini (larger storage in the base model than ever before) while the iPhone 13 is priced at $799 for the 128-GB model. The palette includes five new colors: pink, blue, black, white and red.

Unexpectedly, Apple also revealed its updated iPad and iPad mini line. The 10.2-inch iPad is equipped with a power-packed A13 chip that boasts 20% faster performance, which makes it 3 times faster than a Chromebook, according to Apple’s claims.

The updated iPad includes a new 12MP ultrawide camera that features Center Stage. The front-facing camera is finetuned using machine learning during FaceTime video calls and offers other accessory support, including for the first-generation Apple Pencil. The True Tone feature adjusts the screen's color temperature to ambient lighting.

The design of the 8.3-inch iPad mini now features more rounded corners, smaller bezels, improved front and back cameras, Apple's Liquid Retina display, USB-C support, magnetic Apple Pencil support, upgraded speaker system, and new colors, including purple and pink.

A 64-GB full-size iPad costs $329 – that’s twice the storage for a base-level iPad. The price for schools is $299. Tuesday is the beginning of the pre-order and shipping will start next week. The iPad mini starts at $499.

Apple Watch Series 7

The new Apple Watch Series 7, a sleeker wearable with a wider screen than before, was among the revealed devices. The new model’s display is 20% bigger than that we’d seen in the Series 6. It can fit 50% more text and features a full keyboard that can be tapped or swiped.

The Apple Watch Series 7 is priced at $399 and up and will be available for purchase later this fall.