Apple’s New iPhone 15 Lineup, Apple Watch and AirPods

Speculation and online confusion can finally come to an end. Apple has unveiled its new iPhone 15 series at its "Wonderlust" event, along with the new Apple Watch and AirPods headphones (kind of).

What's new? All iPhone 15 models have been fitted with a USB-C port. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will use the older USB 2.0 generation, while the Pro versions will get the third generation of the USB-C standard. Wireless MagSafe charging remains at 15W, and wired charging through the new USB-C port is limited to just 20W. For comparison, Android phones can reach up to 240W, with an average of around 60W.

Let’s start with the iPhone 15 lineup.

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus: Design changes

This year's major change is the inclusion of Dynamic Island on all models. The software notch was limited to the Pro versions last year, but Apple seems to be in a festive mood this year. The number of apps supporting Dynamic Island is still limited. Now, with the feature available on all four phones, this might be a good incentive for developers to utilise Apple's function.

Though the design hasn't changed drastically, there are some subtle alterations. The sides remain flat, but the edges are slightly curved, intended to make the device easier to hold and use. Design is a highly subjective area. Some love flatness, while others cannot live without some curves.

The main difference between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus is the screen size. The standard iPhone 15 fits into the compact phone category, while the iPhone 15 Plus is more of a behemoth. Apple has been very thoughtful here, crafting two very similar phones while capturing the attention of two major user groups.

Source: Apple Website

The phones will be available in pink, yellow, green, blue, and black.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max: Titanium and Action Button

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have, of course, received even more premium materials, exuding elegance. The casing is made of titanium, and the first impressions are quite impressive. Choosing titanium as the primary material makes the new iPhone 15 Pro phones lighter than their steel predecessors. They will be available in black, gold, blue, and raw titanium.

Another significant change is the Action Button, which will serve as a shortcut button for tasks like taking photos, starting a stopwatch, and so forth. The button now has multifunctional capabilities, allowing for activation of various features such as the camera, recordings, and initiating a note, to name a few.

Users can continue to utilise the button for toggling between silent mode and activating their ringtones. To enable this function, one simply needs to press and hold the button; a subtle vibration serves as confirmation.

Apple mentioned in its press statement, “A press-and-hold gesture, complemented by refined haptic feedback and visual indicators on the Dynamic Island, ensures the new button triggers the desired action.”

In a forthcoming update, Apple revealed in their press statement that a 'Translate' function will be added to the action button later in the year, facilitating live translations.

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus: A16 Bionic and other hardware

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are powered by the A16 Bionic, which debuted in the Pro series last year. The A16 Bionic offers a decent improvement compared to the A15, but the real difference is in efficiency gains. Both models also have satellite connectivity and an SOS feature.

A new feature debuting across the iPhone 15 portfolio this year is roadside assistance via satellite. Similar to the SOS function, it uses the same satellite technology to provide help when your car breaks down. Initially, this feature will be available only in the US, but it's expected to expand to other regions early next year.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max: New A17 Pro processor

As expected, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max have received the new A17 Pro chip, built on an entirely new 3nm architecture. This achievement places Apple ahead of the biggest names in the processor market (Qualcomm, MediaTek). The 16-core neural engine is twice as fast, and there's now a dedicated AV1 decoder. The A17 Pro chip contains 19 billion transistors and includes six cores, with a 10% performance boost compared to the A16 Bionic.

The GPU also underwent substantial changes this year with a new 6-core chip based on a fresh architecture, delivering a 20% improvement. But the standout is that the GPU cores now utilise hardware-accelerated ray tracing, similar to PC GPUs, though not on the same level. However, the number of mobile games supporting this technology is currently limited.

All iPhone 15 phones have an IP68 water resistance rating.

Source: Apple Website

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus: Improved photo quality

The standard iPhone models have received a significant camera upgrade and now come standard with a 48 MP main camera. There's also a 12 MP wide-angle lens, largely unchanged from last year, but the move to a 48 MP lens should lead to significant improvements in photos and videos.

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max: New cameras

The iPhone 15 Pro doesn't deviate much from its predecessor's (objectively excellent) three-sensor camera system. The phone features a 48MP wide-angle (24mm, f/1.78), 12MP ultra-wide (13mm, f/2.2), and 12MP telephoto (77mm f/2.8) with 3x magnification.

A key upgrade here is the addition of larger focal lengths. According to Apple, it's like having "seven professional lenses in your pocket". The resolution of the main camera remains the same, but the sensor was nonetheless updated. It now allows for capturing photos in super-high resolution with even more details and colours.

The Portrait mode on the iPhone 15 Pro has also been revamped. Manually switching to Portrait mode is no longer necessary. If your subject is a person or animal, the phone automatically captures depth data, allowing you to instantly view your photo as a portrait (with a blurring effect) or later in the Gallery.

Like the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro Max also received upgrades across the camera system. The 48 MP main camera now captures default photos with 24 million pixels instead of 12 million pixel shots. Improvements in the Photonic Engine result in better low-light photography (also for the ultra-wide camera).

The most significant camera upgrade exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in the form of a new 12 MP telephoto lens with a periscope lens arrangement for 5x optical zoom and a 120 mm focal length.

Apple states that this camera should deliver better close-up shots and also perform well for wildlife and sports event photography. Smart HDR processing improvements promise more authentic skin tones and colours, while the LiDAR scanner combined with the main and ultra-wide camera can capture 'spatial' shots for use with Apple's Vision Pro mixed reality headset."

Comparison of specifications between iPhone 15 models:

Pricing for the iPhone 15 Range in Australia:

iPhone 15 Pricing:

• 128GB model: RRP $1,499
• 256GB model: RRP $1,699
• 512GB model: RRP $2,049

iPhone 15 Plus Pricing:

• 128GB Plus model: RRP $1,649
• 256GB Plus model: RRP $1,849
• 512GB Plus model: RRP $2,199

iPhone 15 Pro Pricing:

• 128GB Pro model: RRP $1,849
• 256GB Pro model: RRP $2,049
• 512GB Pro model: RRP $2,399
• 1TB Pro model: RRP $2,749

iPhone 15 Pro Max Pricing:

• 256GB Pro Max model: RRP $2,199
• 512GB Pro Max model: RRP $2,549
• 1TB Pro Max model: RRP $2,899.

Apple Watch Series 9

Though the Apple Watch Series 9 might not showcase any major features that distinguish it from the Series 8, there are certainly noteworthy upgrades. It's possible that Apple is saving significant changes for the Apple Watch X, expected next year.

The new S9 SiP heralds significant performance enhancements. With 5.6 billion transistors, it boasts a 30% faster GPU and a 4-core neural engine. This neural capability enables machine learning to operate at a speed that's double that of the Apple Watch Series 8.

Now, all Siri communications on the wrist are processed directly on the device. This not only results in swifter processing but also improves dictation accuracy by 25%.

Source: Apple Website

The enhanced U2 ultrawide-band chip facilitates a smoother iPhone locating experience. Moreover, it drives new proximity-based interactions between your Apple Watch and HomePod.

In terms of display, the brightness has been amped up to 2000 nits and can be dimmed to as low as 1 nit. A new user-friendly feature has been added: a double-tap gesture. By using the index finger and thumb on your watch hand, you can control apps, launch Smart Stack, and access other functions.

For those who appreciate aesthetics, an entirely new pink finish has been added to the customary colour options. Lastly, the Apple Watch Series 9 stands as Apple's inaugural certified carbon-neutral product. From its production and packaging to band designs, numerous changes have been implemented to achieve this eco-friendly milestone. Additionally, Apple has unveiled a novel fabric named 'FineWoven', available as a strap option for the Series 9.

Apple Watch Series 9 Pricing and Availability in Australia:

The starting price for the Apple Watch Series 9 in Australia is $649, with a variety of customisation choices on offer. Preorders have commenced and the watch will be accessible from 22nd September. Below is a breakdown of the pricing:

• Apple Watch Series 9 41mm GPS: $649
• Apple Watch Series 9 45mm GPS: $699
• Apple Watch Series 9 41mm GPS + Cellular: $809
• Apple Watch Series 9 45mm GPS + Cellular: $859
• Apple Watch Series 9 41mm Stainless Steel: $1,199
• Apple Watch Series 9 45mm Stainless Steel: $1,279.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at their event, offering several notable enhancements compared to last year's Apple Watch Ultra whilst retaining the same aesthetic. Given that this watch caters to runners and those keen on outdoor activities, we're keen to discover the advancements the second iteration brings for those seeking the pinnacle of the Apple Watch experience.

Coming with watchOS 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts a fresh S9 SiP (System in Package), a refined U2 ultrawide-band chip, and an innovative double-tap feature reminiscent of the navigation seen in the Apple Vision Pro. With a brightness reaching 3,000 nits, the 49mm display of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is ideal for visibility in direct sunlight and is the brightest screen ever featured on an Apple Watch.

AirPods

In 2023, the AirPods Pro have undergone a significant alteration – the transition to USB-C. Mirroring the iPhone 15's move from the Lightning connector, this shift ensures unified charging across both devices. While the forthcoming Apple AirPods 4, anticipated to launch in the upcoming year, are touted to bring advanced features like heat detection, those enhancements remain on the horizon.

Source: Apple Website