This story is part Focal Point iPhone 2022CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice on Apple’s most popular product.
The iPhone celebrates its 15th anniversary with the iPhone 14, one of the few new products announced at Apple’s event on Wednesday. To recap: iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch SE and AirPods Pro 2nd Generation. All will be available for pre-order over the next few weeks, with some shipping as early as September 16.
Apple has announced the latest version of the iPhone operating system, iOS 16, at WWDC in June, and at the “Far Out” event, we saw features such as Crash Detection, the Always-on display and dynamic island in action.
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Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Lord/CNET
The Plus expands to a 6.7-inch device from the standard 6.1-inch version. They have updated head dissipation, a 1,200 nit HDR display with Dolby Vision support, and come in a new shade of blue on top of the rest. They inherit the battery life of the Max.
A new A15 Bionic chip shakes up all the cores for faster performance. Apple has upgraded the camera system with a larger sensor (1.9 microns) and an OIS sensor shift in the main 12-megapixel camera. Apple says you’ll get better results in difficult lighting, and faster too. The new TrueDepth camera also improves low-light photography and delivers faster, better focusing. Apple introduced what it calls the Photonic Engine in software for better image processing.
Action mode improves digital image stabilization for video and uses the entire sensor.
Rumor has it the iPhone has switched to eSIMs – no more physical SIM cards supported in the US. It also supports collision detection, thanks to new sensors, and adds an emergency SOS via satellite when you’re off the grid, thanks to new antennas and an app that helps you stay connected when the satellite moves. This is free for two years.
The iPhone 14 starts at $799 (£849, AU$1,399), the Plus at $899 (£949, AU$1,579). Pre-order starts September 9, but the 14 ships on September 16 and the 14 Plus on October 7.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max side by side showing sizes
Pro Display XDR-like specs are coming to Pro displays with the Super Retina XDR. The new camera notch on the pro expands and contracts to accommodate notifications and information, which you can interact with, called “Dynamic Island”. Better brightness management and a variety of refresh rates are available to manage battery life and keep the new Always On display from being too draining.
The new 4-nanometer A16 Bionic chip is faster and requires less power than the A15. A new display engine within it speeds up display rendering, and updated image signal processing adds similar photo quality improvements to lower-end models.
A 48-megapixel sensor with support for pixel binning (4 pixels) enables better sensitivity in low-light shots at 12-megapixels. There’s a new 2x telephoto setting and a 48mm mode, as well as 48-megapixel support in ProRaw. Video also benefits from Action mode and 24fps shooting.
They come in space black and dark purple, in addition to the traditional silver and gold.
Prices start at $999 (£1,099, AU$1,749) for the Pro, $1,099 for the Pro Max (£1,199, AU$1,899). You can pre-order from September 9; they are available on September 16.
Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Lord/CNET
New watch faces, an always-on and larger display (thanks to smaller bezels), and better durability are the highlights of the new series. There’s better menstrual cycle tracking thanks to a new suite of features, including a new temperature sensor to get an ovulation estimate, among other things.
There are also new safety features, such as collision detection to provide automatic notification to emergency services and contacts. This is made possible by updated motion detection with a new gyroscope and accelerometer.
Low-power mode disables some of the less-needed features, like always-on display, to extend up to 36 hours. International roaming will also be rolling out to all cell models running WatchOS 9.
And some nice new colors and stripes.
Prices start at $399 (£419, AU$629) and include three months of Apple Fitness Plus for free. It’s available September 16, but pre-orders are open now. WatchOS 9 will be available from Monday, September 12.
Apple
Apple’s entry-priced Watch gets bigger, faster and better for kids without an iPhone, and the back case now matches the finishes. It is made of many recycled materials. It also has the same sensors as the Series 8 to enable collision detection.
It’s up for pre-order now, shipping September 16th. Prices start at $249 (£259, AU$399).
Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Lord/CNET
“Extreme” is the watchword of this model. It is the strongest to date, in titanium, with a bezel to protect the screen from shocks. There are new bands designed for specific activities (alpine, trail and ocean). There’s a new Action button for quick physical control, and the controls are designed to be operable with gloves. An improved mic, built-in cellular, huge battery that will last up to 36 hours (which can be extended up to 60 hours via a new optimization setting), plus a complex new face and night mode for a better visibility are some highlights.
Inside there’s a new GPS designed for better results in urban-type environments and it uses a pickup array for better grip. It also has a ton of new apps targeting specific activity types, like a dive computer and navigation system.
Apple Watch Ultra will cost $799 (£849, AU$1,299) and automatically includes cellular. Pre-orders are open now and the Watch Ultra will be available on September 23.
Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Lord/CNET
The H1 chip moves to H2, and new drivers and processing deliver better detail and clarity, Apple says. Spatial audio gets a customization option for better surround sound, active noise cancellation, passive noise reduction and mic noise cancellation are all improved. Adaptive Transparency will do a better job with very loud noises.
Use these headphones for up to six hours in the headphones, plus 30 hours of charging in the case, and the case is easier to find thanks to a louder speaker. It will now also support Qi charging.
They’re $249 (£249, AU$399), available to pre-order September 16 and start shipping September 23.