Click and share this article
Reading time 6 minutes
The iPhone 15 arrives on time, as every year, in September, but this time the new Apple smartphones are equipped with a USB-C port, which complies with European regulations for a single charger. The official announcement, long-awaited and expected by many rumors, was made at the presentation of the new iPhone line in Cupertino. The European Parliament finally approved the rule last October, and all tech manufacturers must comply with it by the end of 2024. As such, Apple is ditching the Lightning cable it adopted in 2012 for the launch of the iPhone 5. “We’ll talk about the Apple Watch and iPhone that help save lives and how people use them every day. In June, we showed off the Apple Vision Pro headset, which captures the imagination of developers and creates incredible experiences across platforms. It will appear early next year,” CEO Tim Cook began his speech on the stage of the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. It was presented with a video that showed stories of different people from around the world who were saved using Health apps or the SOS satellite emergency system present on the iPhone and Apple Watch.
NEW IPHONE 15 MODELS
“Every year we try to update our iPhone lineup to make it more functional and useful. This time we’ve taken it a step further,” Cook added as he unveiled the new iPhone 15 lineup. As expected, all versions starting with the base iPhone 15 feature Dynamic Island, a smaller top that displays notifications and controls interactive media. There is a selfie camera inside. Along with the 6.1-inch iPhone 15, there is a 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus. Both have been updated in design with more rounded corners and four colors available: pink, yellow, green, blue and black. With nanocrystalline backs, Apple says smartphones today are even more resilient, even at the front where the screen sits, thanks to Ceramic Shield innovation. According to Apple’s policy, the new iPhones are environmentally friendly: in their creation, the company used 75% recycled aluminum and 100% recycled cobalt. On the back of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus is a 48MP main camera, and at the bottom is the long-awaited USB-C charging connector, which helps Apple comply with EU guidelines on a universal charger. USB-C allows for fast charging, data, audio and video transfer between supported devices. The entire Apple product line will have a single standard, even the case for AirPods headphones. On the charging side, the company is introducing the new MagSafe, which is a faster wireless charging method using both Apple and third-party chargers that are compatible with the protocol. At the heart of the phones is the A16, Apple’s new chip that promises a 50% boost in graphics performance and features that further integrate the use of artificial intelligence, such as transcribing a phone call into text in real time. Apple isn’t forgetting about connectivity: new here is second-generation Ultra Wideband technology, which allows iPhones to pinpoint the exact location of friends who share location from their iPhone, similar to what happens with AirTag trackers. However, with the Voice Isolation option, the phone can reduce background noise to ensure clear voice during calls. Last year, Apple introduced emergency communications via satellite. The next step will be satellite roadside assistance: starting in the US, motorists will be able to use their iPhone to request assistance if they encounter problems while driving. The new iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max have an aluminum body. Apple has worked to minimize the bezels, making them even more curved at the corners. Titanium, according to the American giant, makes it possible to create a durable and extremely lightweight device. The rest of the materials use recycled elements, and the body can be easily replaced if problems arise. The iPhone 15 Pro has a 6.1-inch screen, while the Pro Max retains a 6.7-inch panel. On the right side of the 15 Pro, Apple has placed a customizable button called the Action Button. It can be configured to call your favorite applications, turn on the flashlight, or launch the camera. By moving it up and down, you select the “mute” mode for the ringtone, as is the case on modern iPhones. The A17 Pro chip in high-end models is focused on performance and privacy. Without sending personal data to the cloud, the part, called Neural Engine, teaches the user how to use the phone, measure energy throughout the day, and makes Siri more useful and responsive to everyone’s needs. The graphics capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are something Apple focused on during the presentation stage. “This is our biggest hardware innovation to date,” emphasizes an engineer from the group. “In addition to making video games more realistic and beautiful, the GPU card uses less power than before, which also saves battery power.” The models’ camera is based on a 48-megapixel main sensor, which includes new technology capable of taking sharper photos even in low-light conditions. The shooting system has a wider range of settings for photographers, who can customize each level in the Camera app, making the iPhone a tool for both leisure and professional activities. A design called “tetraprism” mimics the play of mirrors inside a telephoto lens to increase the possible distance when you want to capture a larger environment. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will retail for $799 and $899, respectively. The 15 Pro starts at $999 and the 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 and will be available from September 22, also in Italy. In our country, the starting price of the iPhone 15 Pro is 1239 euros with storage capacities of 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB, and the starting price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is 1489 euros with storage capacities of 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB. iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB capacities starting at €979 and €1,129 respectively. The iOS 17 operating system update will be available on September 18.
Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2
On stage in Cupertino, Apple unveiled the new Apple Watch Series 9. “If you left one of the two at home, I bet you’d come back and pick it up.” Let’s start with the Watch Series 9, which has deeper integration with Siri, Apple’s digital assistant. The focus is on health: just ask the AI for your weight or heart rate and the watch will take the necessary measurements autonomously and without touching the screen. Watch Series 9 also debuts Gestures—finger movements that allow you to interact with your watch. A double tap with your thumb and forefinger is enough to answer a call or turn on the display. A number of features that are also designed for those who have mobility difficulties and may feel limited in using the device. “Once you start using it, you’ll never be without it,” Apple executives explained during the conference. One of the major changes from a hardware perspective is the new Sip S9 chip (system in a package) with 5.6 billion transistors, a 30% faster graphics card and an improved neural engine. The watch also features a second-generation ultra-wideband chip for more accurate location detection from other devices in the home. According to the company, Apple Watch Series 9 is the company’s first third-party certified zero-emission product. “We have reimagined and updated our production systems to improve technology’s impact on the planet. Starting in 2030, all Apple devices will be manufactured in Cupertino with zero carbon emissions. “The next step is to continue transforming our operations to be carbon neutral. We will follow three pillars: materials, electricity and transport, ensuring that the entire supply chain follows our principles.” Apple Watch Series 9 fits into this scenario because it is manufactured in factories that use 100% renewable energy. The new smaller packaging also allows you to ship 25% more watches in the same size as before. “For us, this means reducing carbon dioxide emissions worldwide by a further 78%. Along with the Watch 9, Apple also introduced the Ultra 2, a watch dedicated to athletes and outdoor activities. The design of the Ultra 2 is very similar to the first generation, but there are most of the new features inside. These include an autonomy capable of reaching 36 hours in normal use and 72 hours in low consumption, as well as the use of 95% recycled materials during the production phase. It’s waterproof up to 40 meters and works like the Series 9 with watchOs 10. The Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399 (€459), the Ultra 2 at $799 (€909), with introductory pricing. Orders are now open and will arrive in stores from September 22nd. In short, fans of the bitten Apple have nothing to complain about this year either, because the choice of new devices is indeed very rich.
FPL