Apple iPhone launch: New smartphone models, iPad, watch unveiled
After months of anticipation and speculation, Apple has revealed three new iPhones. Here’s everything you need to know.
Apple has unveiled three new iPhone models, touting game-changing new camera capabilities, faster performance and increased battery life.
The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max handsets were launched at the tech giant’s headquarters in Cupertino, California on Tuesday (Wednesday Australia time) as Apple seeks to spur new upgrades in a slumping global smartphone market.
The new iPhones, starting at A$1199, resemble recent models, but with better cameras and new colours. Apple announced it will still sell older models for less; the iPhone 8 will now cost A$655 and the iPhone XR now costs A$870.
New Apple Watch and iPad models were also revealed, and a launch date was announced for its original video offering, Apple TV+.
“iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are the most powerful and advanced smartphones we have ever made,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook proudly told the packed media event that they are “jam packed with new capabilities and an incredible new design.”
CAMERA UPGRADE
The iPhone 11 features a 6.1-inch Retina display and powerful new camera capabilities.
A new triple-camera system provides a pro-level camera experience with an Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephoto camera, delivering improvements to low-light photography and offering the highest quality video in a smartphone that is great for shooting action videos.
The Ultra Wide camera captures four times more scene, great for taking landscape or architecture photos. The new Wide sensor with 100 percent Focus Pixels and advanced software enables Night mode (allowing the user to take photos in the dark) and delivers huge improvements to photos shot in indoor and outdoor low-light environments, resulting in brighter images with natural colours and reduced noise.
The triple-camera system takes Portrait mode to a new level with the ability to choose Wide and Telephoto framing, enabling Portrait mode with a wider field of view, great for taking portraits of multiple people. The Telephoto camera features a larger ƒ/2.0 aperture to capture 40 percent more light compared to iPhone Xs for better photos and videos.
The iPhone 11 allows users to easily record video without switching out of Photo mode with QuickTake, by simply holding the shutter button to start recording.
Everyone’s selfies are about to get better with the TrueDepth camera that now records 4K video at up to 60 fps and 120 fps slo-mo.
Pet lovers will be thrilled that “portrait mode” now also works with animals, not just humans.
Unfortunately for Apple, social media users were quick to attack the “ugly” design, comparing it to inanimate objects and a three-eyed fish from The Simpsons.
FAST AND DURABLE
The powerful Apple-designed A1 Bionic chip is the fastest chip of any smartphone.
The new models also have increased battery life. The iPhone 11 lasts an hour longer than the iPhoneXR, meanwhile the high performance Pro models — Apple’s most advanced iPhone to date — give users five extra hours of battery life per day.
The most powerful devices are also designed to be durable. iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max feature the toughest glass ever in a smartphone and are water resistant for up to four metres for up to 30 minutes, and are protected against everyday spills like coffee or juice.
Are you excited about the new iPhone? Would you splash the cash for it? Share your thoughts in the comments below
HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?
The iPhone 11 comes in several new colours including green, red, yellow and purple.
Prices for the new models are as follows:
iPhone 11: A$1199
iPhone 11 Pro: A$1749
iPhone 11 Pro Max: A$1899
Customers can also get iPhone 11 Pro from A$1249 with trade-in and iPhone 11 Pro Max from A$1399 with trade-in from apple.com/au, in the Apple Store app and Apple Stores.
WHEN ARE THEY AVAILABLE?
Customers in Australia and more than 30 other countries and regions will be able to pre-order iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max beginning at 10 p.m. AEST on Friday, 13 September with availability beginning Friday, 20 September.
New iPhone 11 colors in the flesh #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/mZ1lULLFUb
— Raymond Wong📱💾📼 (@raywongy) September 10, 2019
APPLE WATCH SERIES 5
Also unveiled was Apple’s next internet-connected smartwatch, Apple Watch Series 5, which features an always-on display that lets users check time and other features without raising or tapping it. Many competing watches already have that.
New location features, from a built-in compass to current elevation, help users better navigate their day, while international emergency calling allows customers to call emergency services directly from Apple Watch in over 150 countries, even without iPhone nearby.
Combined with the power of watchOS 6, users are empowered to take charge of their health and fitness with new features like Cycle Tracking, the Noise app and Activity Trends.
Apple is also introducing a new Apple Research app that lets users sign up for studies and a Compass app for gauging location. New titanium and ceramic models will be available.
Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS) starts at A$649, Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular) starts at A$799.
IPAD UPGRADE
The least remarkable product launched was an upgraded version of the standard iPad.
The new entry-level iPad, priced at A$480, has a 10.2-inch screen, up from 9.7 inches, and is also compatible with Apple’s Smart Keyboard and the Apple Pencil.
However, it’s got nothing on the high-end iPad Pros.
APPLE TV+
The Apple TV+ service will launch November 1 in more than 100 countries at $7.99 per month and will include a “powerful and inspiring line-up of original shows, movies and documentaries.”
Apple is featuring scripted dramas, comedies and movies as well as children’s programs in the service, which will compete against streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon.
Apple said customers who purchase an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch or Mac will get the first year of the service for free.
“With Apple TV+, we are presenting all-original stories from the best, brightest and most creative minds, and we know viewers will find their new favourite show or movie on our service,” said Zack Van Amburg, Apple’s head of video.
The company’s online gaming subscription service, Apple Arcade, will launch next week, offering exclusive titles for mobile and desktop users.
The new service, which will also cost $7.99 per month, will include more than 100 game titles made for Apple devices.
“You can’t find these games on any other mobile platform or subscription service, no games service ever launched as many games, and we can’t wait for you to play all of that,” product manager Ann Thai told the Apple media event in Cupertino, California.
Apple managed to grow its overall revenues, albeit by a modest one per cent, to US$53.8 billion, even as iPhone revenues plunged nearly 12 per cent in the April-June period.
The company delivered strong growth from digital content and services that include its Apple Pay and Apple Music, along with wearables and accessories like the Apple Watch and Air Pods.
Analysts warn that Apple still faces challenges as rivals chip away at the smartphone market, in which the iPhone’s share is less than 12 per cent.
As the iPhone maker refines its handsets, other makers are pushing into new areas such as 5G devices and folding smartphones.
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