Don’t hold the phone: Apple’s gadgets are a step up, but they won’t blow you away

Apple has unveiled four iPhone 13 models, a new iPad, a powerful iPad mini and a new watch in a launch streamed from California.

Apple has unveiled four iPhone 13 models, a new iPad, a powerful iPad mini and a new watch in a launch streamed from California.

Overall, the 2021 iPhones are a step up from 2020 models with faster processors and graphics, ­improved camera systems, and longer battery life – but there are no breathtaking new features that blow you away.

The unveiling follows a year of massive revenue and profit from iPhone 12 sales, and Apple seems to be sticking to what works.

Speculation was rife that Apple would hike iPhone prices due to global chip shortages but that didn’t happen, with entry level prices the same as for iPhone 12 in 2020: $1199 for iPhone 13 mini, $1349 for iPhone 13, $1699 for iPhone 13 Pro, and $1849 for iPhone 13 Pro Max for 128GB of storage. Pro models offer up to one terabyte of storage.

Existing iPhone SE, iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 minis will remain on sale. And there was good news for existing iPhone users not buying a new model, with Apple announcing its iOS15 operating system update will be ­released on Monday. It brings new capabilities to old iPhones, including enhanced privacy features.

All iPhone 13s offer 5G, but Australian models don’t support the fast millimetre wave 5G that’s about to be available here. That’s not good enough for top-of-range phones.

The standout feature is “cinematic mode”. The iPhone camera can automatically move the in-focus area from one person to another when shooting video, and blur the rest.

Displays are brighter, and the phone “neural engine” delivers 15.8 trillion operations per second, which means better text-to-speech conversion and on-device processing of directions in maps.

More work is done on the phone processing voice commands, and less information is sent to Apple for processing.

Cameras offer better lower light photography, and the phones have longer battery life.

The premium 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Pro and Pro Max offer more advanced smartphone photography with telephoto, wide and ultra wide lenses. You can take extreme close-ups and also personalise images with “photographic styles”.

The Apple Watch Series 7 has a more rounded look and is thinner compared to its predecessor. The display is slightly larger and the screen can fit more text when you read messages. Apple has been audacious to include a full Qwerty keyboard on the watch face. You tap or slide your finger to write messages and it uses machine learning to predict text.

There was some news for cyclists. Apple Watch will detect if you are riding a bike and suggest you start a cycling workout. You’ll get more accurate stats if you are riding an eBike. The watch is faster to charge, and it will be available later this year.

The ninth generation iPad is faster and supports “centre stage”, which automatically pans to ensure a person is in the frame when they move around during video calls. The feature also works for selfie videos.

The iPad costs from $499 for a basic model with 64GB of storage. Apple is offering discounted educational pricing.

The iPad mini has received a major power boost, and Apple has moved from using a lightning connector to USB-C. That opens up new functionality such as connecting USB-C devices like cameras, scanners, and even ultrasound and micro-optic devices. You can attach an iPad mini to a 4K monitor.

The mini costs from $749.