On September 7, Apple held its annual iPhone-centric event, introducing the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. We also got a look at the new Apple Watch 8 Series and were surprised with the Apple Watch Ultra. An overview of what is new (for business).

 

iPhone 14 (Plus): Big and bigger

Goodbye Mini, hello Max. By discontinuing the iPhone Mini and replacing it by the iPhone Max, Apple is dropping a big bombshell. An overview of what’s new.

Key features:

• This year’s iPhone innovation: not a Mini, but a Plus model. You’ll be able to choose between a 6.1- and 6.7-inch screen.
• The overall design of the iPhone 14 hasn’t changed much. It still has the glossy glass back, its straight metal edges and two cameras in the rear. But with its toughest glass in iPhone ever, chances to crack the display are getting slimmer.
• The iPhone 14 is using the A15 Bionic chip – just as the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.
• With the iPhone 14 come major updates to the front-facing camera. The new selfie camera features autofocus, which results in significantly better quality for capturing pictures and videos compared to the previous fixed focus camera. At the rear, the iPhone 14 (Plus) sticks with a dual camera setup that offers 12 MP shooters.
• Last year, Apple introduced ProMotion refresh rates. This made the refresh rate of the screen variable, from 10Hz to 120Hz. Now Apple has broadened that from 1Hz to 120Hz. The upgraded screen refresh rate results in even better battery life, even with the always-on display.
• As with the new Apple Watches, the iPhone 14 (Plus) will be able to detect when you’ve been in a car accident. There’s also a function to activate a satellite connection in an emergency situation where there is no Wi-Fi or mobile internet connection.

The new iPhone 14 starts at €842,15 (VAT Excl.). Both models come in starlight, (PRODUCT)RED, blue, midnight and purple and are available for pre-order on September 9. The first devices will be shipped on September 16.  

 

iPhone 14 Pro (Max): Pro. Beyond.

The iPhone 14 Pro, Apple’s high-end iPhone of 2022, is the successor of the iPhone 13 Pro and comes in two variants: the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. An overview of what’s new.

Key features:

• Instead of a notch cut out of the top of the screen, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max come with smaller apertures for the selfie camera and Face ID sensors. A software trick fills the space between these holes, making it look like one pill-shaped camera hole, the Dynamic Island. The pill shaped cut-out expends to show certain notifications, making them feel less distracting and much more integrated.
• The curves of the iPhone 14 Pro have become more rounded, making the design a bit fresher.
• The iPhone 14 Pro (Max) gets the usual three-camera setup but differentiates itself with a 48-megapixel rear camera capable of shooting videos in 8K resolution. The front camera has also been upgraded. It now has a larger aperture, which makes it a lot easier to take a good (noise-free) selfie in low light.
• Apple’s newest flagship devices are powered by the A16 bionic chip, making them 40 percent faster than their most important competitors.
• Other notable specs include 1 TB of possible storage, Face ID biometrics, Dolby Vision, MagSafe charging, action mode, wireless charging, 5G support, crash detection, SOS via satellite and the always-on display functionality.

The iPhone 14 Pro starts at €1098,35 (VAT Excl.), the iPhone 14 Pro Max at €1222,31 (VAT Excl.). Both models come in silver, space grey, gold and deep purple and are available for pre-order as of September 9. Both devices will be officially released on September 16.

 

AirPods Pro (2nd generation): Rebuilt from the sound up

Despite the name, the AirPods Pro were starting to look a little tired. First introduced in 2019, Apple’s high-end earbuds didn’t get an update in over three years. With the AirPods Pro 2, Apple is introducing some pretty nifty features. An overview.

Key features:

• The AirPods Pro 2 have the same acoustics as the AirPods 3: customised high-amplitude drive units, high dynamic range amplifiers, a self-learning equaliser, spatial audio, dynamic head tracking and audio sharing. However, by introducing the new H2 chip, Apple is making noise cancelling two times better.
• Apple reserved the biggest update to the exterior: touch controls. With touch controls, you can now control audio playback and the volume by swiping on the AirPods Pro’s stems.
• With one battery charge, you can enjoy six hours of music, that is 33 percent more than the AirPods Pro 1. The charging case further increases playtime to 30 hours.
• The case has gotten a number of updates too, including an incase speaker and an anchor for attaching a lanyard. Besides, when misplaced or lost somewhere nearby, the AirPods Pro 2 case can make a sound to track their location. Lastly, the AirPods Pro can now be charged using the Apple Watch charger.

The AirPods Pro 2nd generation will be available for pre-order as of September 9 for a retail price of 247,11 (VAT Excl.).

 

Apple Watch Ultra: Adventure awaits

Instead of bringing a larger screen to the standard Apple Watch line-up, Apple is introducing a whole new watch category. The Apple Watch Ultra; A larger screened, more rugged model aimed at extreme sport fans. An overview.

Key features:

• The new Apple Watch Ultra comes in a 49mm cellular only variant, making it 4mm larger than the largest Apple Watch.
• Apple’s latest addition to the Watch family is designed for extreme sport enthusiasts and contains a larger titanium chassis with flatter sides and a flat screen, increasing the durability of the wearable.
• With the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple makes some significant changes to the buttons. The digital crown and the side button are encased in a protrusion to protect the former. The tech giant has also added a third pre-programmable button, the so-called action button. Both are designed to be easier to use when wearing gloves.
• Everything about the Apple Watch Ultra was built to help users in many extreme conditions. For example, there’s an additional GPS L5 GPS module for improved triangulation even where the standard L1 GPS usually fails. The WR100 rating, then, lets users dive to 100 meters below the surface. On top, Apple has created special wristbands for different sports.
• On the inside, the Apple Watch Ultra is using the new S8 chip and houses an ECG sensor, heart rate sensor, blood saturation monitors and a sensor that measures body temperature. There is also a depth gauge for divers.
• The Apple Watch Ultra has a more powerful speaker and better microphones, making it easier to make calls when there is a lot of wind. The Watch Ultra can also play a loud alarm in case you get lost in a remote location.
• With the Apple Watch Ultra, you end up with a gadget that can provide 36 hours of battery life. The new low-power mode extends battery life to 60 hours. In this mode, the user can still measure his heart rate and use the GPS function.

With a retail price of €825,62 (VAT Excl.), the price of this new, larger watch is slightly higher than the entry-level Apple Watch Series 8. The device is available for pre-order as of September 7 and will be delivered as of September 23.

 

Apple Watch 8 Series: A healthy leap ahead

Last year, the Apple Watch Series 7 got a slightly bigger display, a few new colors, and somewhat faster charging, but otherwise, it’s identical to the Apple Watch Series 6, from the chip to the sensors. Time for some evolution, the tech giant thought when developing the Apple Watch Series 8. An overview.

Key features:

• The Apple Watch 8 series is durable, dustproof, swim proof, crack-resistant, had an edge-to-edge display.
• Apple’s newest Watch comes in GPS-only and cellular versions, 41mm and 45mm models.
• Although the Apple Watch 8 Series is still rated for 18 hours of battery life, a long-awaited low power mode can extend the watch’s stamina to 36 hours.
• Another new feature that makes its way to the next generation Apple Watch is a temperature tracker that will can be used for advanced sleep tracking and cycle tracking data. Besides, two new motion sensors in the Apple Watch 8 Series can detect when you have been in a car crash, automatically calling emergency services and emergency contacts.
• With the Apple Watch 8 Series, Apple introduces international roaming for cellular watches in 30 countries.

Apple has been quite consistent with the pricing of the Watch range, and that’s no different this year. The Apple Watch Series 8 is available from €412,40 (VAT Excl.) and comes in four colour options: midnight, starlight, silver, and product red. There are also three stainless steel colours: silver, gold and graphite. Apple’s newest smartwatch will be available for pre-order on September 9 and will be delivered as of September 16.

 

Apple Watch SE 2: A great deal to love

The Apple Watch SE has been a real success, bringing a powerful and affordable version of Apple’s popular wearable within the reach of most people. By launching a new Apple Watch SE, Apple aims at stepping up its game. An overview of what’s new.

• The Apple Watch SE 2 comes in the same sizes as its predecessor, 40mm and 44mm, and is finally getting a much-needed upgrade. The wearable gets a processor bump all the way to the S8 SiP, the same chip that powers the Apple Watch Series 8, making it 20% faster than its predecessor.
• The crash detection of the Apple Watch Series 8 is also present on this new Apple Watch SE, meaning that in case of an accident, emergency services are automatically called in.

The Apple Watch SE 2 comes in midnight, starlight, and silver and is available as of September 7. Apple’s newest entry-level smartwatch comes in GPS and Cellular versions with a staring price of €247,11 (VAT Excl.).