Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the stage yesterday for the much-hyped “by innovation only“ iPhone event — and, as expected, the Cupertino company unveiled more than a bunch of new smartphones.
Here’s a quick recap of everything Apple announced at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park on Tuesday.
iPhones
iPhone 11
After months of leaks and rumors, Apple finally unveiled its new baseline iPhone model — the iPhone 11. Similar to its predecessor, the iPhone XR, the iPhone 11 retains the the same 6.1-inch (1792 x 828-pixel) display, replete with black notch and bezel.
There are some notable changes, of course, perhaps most notably the new dual-lens rear camera setup.
Above: iPhone 11
With a $699 pricetag, around $50 less expensive than the corresponding device last year, it seems that Apple is also adopting a more aggressive pricing structure to combat falling iPhone revenues.
iPhone 11 Pro / iPhone 11 Pro Max
As is now standard at Apple events, the Cupertino company unveiled not one but three new iPhones yesterday. This also represents the first time that Apple is splitting its smartphone lineup into two categories (one being ‘Pro’), not too dissimilar to its Mac and iPad lineup.
The iPhone 11 Pro sports a 5.7-inch display, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max comes with a 6.5-inch screen. There are a number of key differences between these devices and their predecessors (and the iPhone 11), but the most obvious one is that they both now have a triple-lens setup which will help particularly with low-light photography.
Above: iPhone 11 Pro devices have 3 camera lenses
In terms of price, the iPhone 11 Pro / iPhone 11 Pro Max start at $999 and $1,099 respectively.
A13 Bionic chip
Above: Apple A13 chip
Underpinning its new iPhone 11 lineup, Apple also unveiled its next-gen A13 Bionic processor, which should make the new models run faster than the old ones — this is good news in particularly for gamers in terms of graphics capabilities. Kaiann Drance, Apple senior director of iPhone marketing, said that the the A13 “is the fastest CPU ever in a smartphone.”
Out with the old
As is now standard with the arrival of new iPhones, Apple cut the prices of the older models — the iPhone 8 and iPhone XR — by $150. Moreover, Apple also discontinued the even-older iPhone 7 and iPhone XS.
Other hardware
iPad
In the build up to yesterday’s event, rumors started to surface that Apple was planning to shoehorn a new iPad into its keynote — and that it did.
The new entry-level seventh-generation iPad, which starts at $329, comes with a bigger screen — for the first time in its history, Apple’s new base-level tablet will ship with a 10.2-inch display, around a half-inch bigger than its predecessor.
Watch
As expected, Apple introduced the refreshed Watch Series 5 yesterday, with several outer and inner tweaks encased within similar (40mm) and larger (44mm) versions.
Above: Apple Watch Series 5
The main draw this time around is an always-on display that promise the best part of a full-day on a single charge, while it also has a built-in compass. Prices start at $399 and go all the way up to $1,299, depending on the model and material you’re looking for.
In related news, Apple also discontinued the Watch Series 4, while simultaneously dropping the Series 3 price to a figure starting at $199.
Read more; iPhone 11 rear glass may lose ‘iPhone’ branding, come in matte green
Services / subscriptions
Apple TV+
Apple had previously announced its subscription TV and movie service, which it calls Apple TV+, but until yesterday’s event we didn’t know much of the details in relation to pricing and availability.
Apple TV+, which will feature ad-free original content from big-names such as Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Sofia Coppola, Reese Witherspoon, and J.J. Abrams, will cost $4.99 per month when it launches globally on November 1. Those who buy a new Apple device this year will receive a year’s free access to the service.
Apple Arcade
Apple announced its Apple Arcade subscription gaming service back in March, but it wasn’t until yesterday’s event that we had the details on how much this would cost and when it would be available.
