Get Ready for New Releases

Apple’s September ‘Far Out’ event has concluded, and it was packed with product reveals and announcements. The 90 minute showcase saw a number of updates across several of Apple’s product lines, including the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. We’ve compiled this list of the juiciest updates just in case you missed the event.

Apple Watch Series 8

Apple kicked off their “Far Out’ event with the unveiling of their newest line of watches, the Apple Watch Series 8. Pre-orders were available immediately on the Apple website, and the product launched on September 16th. The new Series 8 watches bring a series of sleek upgrades to the market’s most powerful smart watches, including:

• New and improved temperature sensors for significantly improved women’s health tracking.
• A new ‘low-power mode’ provides improved battery life (up to 36 hours on a single charge).
• Using sophisticated motion sensors and algorithms, the new Apple Watch can detect car crashes and notify emergency services automatically.
• The Series 8 Watches will be available in 41 and 45 millimeter aluminum or stainless steel cases. It will cost you $399 for the base GPS version and $499 for the cellular model.
• Aluminum versions come in Midnight, Silver, Starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED. Stainless steel versions will come in Gold, Graphite, and Silver, with some limited runs available from Hermès and Nike.

Apple Watch Ultra

Before the event, rumors were swirling of a premium or ‘Pro’ version of the Apple Watch. Those rumors proved correct with the announcement of a new Apple Watch Ultra. Designed for and targeted at athletes, adventurers, and fitness enthusiasts, the Ultra is Apple’s most rugged Watch ever. The Ultra model launches September 23rd. Features of the Apple Watch Ultra include:

• Up to 60 hours of battery life with improved water resistance capabilities. In fact, Apple even touts that its water resistance capabilities are so good the Watch can double as a dive computer.
• An upgraded GPS for improved location tracking and safety tech, including a built-in siren.
• It’s the first Apple Watch to feature a customizable action button on the side, which allows the user to do things like track a race while running, set waypoints for a hike, and even use their advanced GPS system to retrace your steps.
• A specially designed crown guard for extra screen protection and ease of use while wearing gloves.
• The Apple Watch ultra comes only in a titanium case and features the biggest, brightest screen so far.
• The Ultra will launch with a price tag of $799.

Apple Watch Ultra SE 2

Apple has also revamped their entry-level watch option with the Apple Watch SE 2. While not quite as powerful as the other two models, the SE 2 is a large improvement over the original. Upgraded with WatchOS 9 and the new S8 processor, the SE 2 is 20% faster than the first model and comes with the same crash detection upgrades as the Series 8 and Ultra.

• Built with the same chip as the Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra.
• Features an aluminum case with composite back.
• Available in Midnight, Silver, or Starlight colorways.
• Starts at a reasonable $249 with a 40 or 44 millimeter case. Models with a cellular connection will cost an additional $50.

AirPods Pro 2

The long-awaited update to Apple’s beloved AirPods has arrived in the form of AirPods Pro 2. These second-gen headphones come packed with upgraded audio hardware which improves both sound quality and noise cancellation.

• A new H2 chip brings personalized spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience. This includes an adaptive ‘transparency mode’ that adjusts the strength of its noise canceling dynamically, based on ambient noise levels around you.
• Upgraded batteries mean your AirPods will last upwards of 6 hours per charge, with an additional 30 hours of battery life from its portable case.
• A small speaker built into the charging case chirps to let you know where it is and when battery life is running low.

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

Apple spent the second half of their event focusing on the main stars of the show, the new range of iPhones.

• Base and Plus models come with a 6.1 or 6.7 inch screen, respectively.
• Both models will sport an improved Super Retina XDR display.
• Both models come with the A15 Bionic Chip which powered last generation’s iPhone 13 Pro.
• Both models feature a 12 megapixel main camera with a more robust sensor and faster aperture for improved low-light photos.
• Plus model will feature an improved battery, with up to 26 hours of video playback on a single charge.
• New TrueDepth front-facing camera with improved stabilization for smooth videos, 1080p and 4K quality, and proprietary Photonic Engine.
• All models going forward will be swapping to eSIM for easier and smoother transition between devices.
• Both models feature a new crash detection and satellite-powered emergency SOS service for easy access to emergency services with improved GPS location. The service will be free for the first two years.
• The iPhone 14 is priced at $799 while the Plus model will cost you $899.

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple also unveiled their range of flagship phones which boasted a number of improvements both big and small.

• The Pro and Pro Max versions are available in 6.1 or 6.7 inch screens, respectively.
• The all-new A16 bionic chip sports a more powerful and efficient 4 nanometer architecture for significantly improved performance in a smaller package.
• Pro and Pro max models feature much brighter display panels and slimmer borders. The Super Retina XDR display presents an extremely crisp picture at up to 2,000 nits max brightness.
• Brand new always-on display with a low-power mode gives you important information at a glance.
• A 48 MP main camera will feature significantly improved low-light performance and zoom capabilities.
• The front-facing 12MP ultra-wide camera has also received various upgrades, including improved telephoto lens and a new Photonic Engine for improved computational photography.
• The most noticeable upgrade comes in the form of the new Dynamic Island, which is set to replace the signature display notch. The Dynamic Island will show notifications and other important information, and will shift in size and layout depending on what app you are currently using.
• The iPhone 14 Pro will start at $999 while the Pro Max will start at $1,099. Both models will be available in Silver, Gold, Space Black, or Deep Purple.