Far Out: What you need to know about the iPhone 14
Apple’s Far Out event, where it revealed the fresh iPhone 14 model range, three different versions of the Apple Watch (the long-awaited Apple Watch Ultra among them), and the next-gen AirPods Pro.
Here’s all the vital news in one place for your convenience.
A bigger iPhone Plus model
There aren’t too many significant new features sported by iPhone 14 that its predecessor didn’t have. Both come with a notch and an A15 series chip. The new model does, however, feature a 6.7” display and better battery life.
The 12-MP upgraded sensor on the main camera, and an autofocus-equipped 12-MP TrueDepth selfie camera are included in both devices.
$799 is the starting price for the iPhone 14, and the Plus model starts at $899. Preordering will open on September 9, with the iPhone 14 coming out on September 16, and the Plus version – on October 7.
Notchless design with a dynamic island on the iPhone 14 Pro
There are several major upgrades on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, such as a design that does away with the notch in favor of a pill-shaped cutout for the camera and the Face ID system under the display. The Dynamic Island got its name because the notifications pop up and move about the area.
The Pro models are also slated to feature a more powerful A16 chip, improved battery life, a 48-MP rear camera with a quad-pixel sensor and a brighter display. Always-on displays that continuously show notifications and only dim the display and do not waste too much of your battery are coming to the iPhone Pro and Pro Max, which will come at a price of $999 and $1,099, respectively. Preorder on September 9, and you may get them on September 16.
ESIM on all US iPhone 14 models
There will no longer be physical SIM trays in Apple’s iPhones starting with the iPhone 14 range made for sale in the US. eSIMs, which will replace the physical SIM cards, are considered more secure and allow to switch carriers with ease. However, if you’re used to popping your SIM in and out, you will need to get used to the new method.
Send emergency messages over satellite
Satellite connectivity is an exciting new feature coming up in iPhone 14 and 14 Pro in US and Canada. Now, when you need help without cellular service, you should be able to contact emergency services through satellite – under clear weather conditions. The new phones will come with this feature free of charge for two years.
New Apple Watch Ultra for extreme sports
A long-awaited rugged version for extreme sports fans with a 49mm titanium case was revealed by Apple. The new customizable action button allows transitioning between sports. Ultra users who are into underwater diving can use the Oceanic Plus App to track their dives.
The extended 36-hour battery life on one charge, and the upcoming battery optimization feature will bring the total Ultra battery life to 60 hours. Preorder the Watch Ultra for $799, and it will start shipping on September 23.
New temperature sensors on the Apple Watch Series 8
Two new temperature sensors (one under the display and one in the back) on the new model can be used for fertility tracking. Temperature measurements are taken every five seconds, with detectable fluctuations as minor as 0.1 degrees Celsius.
The crash detection feature senses a car accident and provides an option to call for help. The low-power mode switches off the always-on display and helps preserve battery.
The Watch can be preordered for $399 for the GPS version and $499 for the cell model. It is already available for preorder and will start shipping on September 16.
Welcome back the Apple Watch SE
The next-gen Apple Watch SE has been released. It now features an improved S8 chip which means a 20% increase in speed over the 2020 model and includes certain other features that are included in the Watch Series 8, i.e., crash detection. Preorder the GPS version for $249 or the cellular model for $299 and it will be available on September 16.
Improved noise cancellation on second-generation AirPods Pro
The new and improved AirPods Pro are the “most advanced” according to Tim Cook: they are equipped with spatial audio and the new H2 chip and possess two times the noise-canceling capabilities compared to their predecessor.
One charge will now last 6 hours of listening time, or it can be 30 hours with the charging case. The AirPods can now be located using the FindMy app, since there now are speakers on each earbud and the charging case.
Preorder for $249 on September 9, and get them starting September 23.
watchOS 9 and iOS 16 to be released on September 12
On September 12, watch out for watchOS 9 and iOS 16. The iOS 16 features new additions for the lock screen, such as notifications widgets rolling up from the bottom of the screen, while watchOS 9 also brings a bunch of new fitness tracking metrics to the table.