Apple Wonderlust event Archives - Gizmochina

iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus Pack Major Changes: Is It Worth Upgrading Your Old iPhone?

Viraj Gawde — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:07:39 +0000

Apple’s annual Wonderlust fall event concluded today. The Cupertino-based tech giant took the wraps off its next-generation iPhone 15 series along with other devices at the event. Notably, the latest iPhone 15 models arrive with significant upgrades since the iPhone 11 that debuted way back in 2019. This is not surprising given that Apple updates its iPhone lineup every three to four years, based on historical trends. This time too, the brand has distinguished the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus from the Pro and Pro Max variants.

Last year, Apple was widely criticized, with many people outraged when the company released the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, which were essentially the same as the iPhone 13, with a few minor improvements here and there. However, this time, the non-pro variants become more intriguing, which is great news for previous iPhone owners (making it worth upgrading to the new models).

Dynamic island, Dynamic island, Dynamic island!

Apple introduced the Dynamic Island for the iPhone 14 Pro models last year, which made every tech enthusiast go gaga over the feature. The reason – Dynamic Island is essentially a pill-shaped cutout that houses the front camera sensor and the sensors responsible for Face ID. Personally, I feel it looks ugly; however, in Apple’s case, it does more than just appear as a dormant Black cutout. The company has intelligently optimized the software UI to work with Dynamic Island. It is an interactive element that can display various information like incoming calls, notifications, turn-by-turn navigation, music playback, and more. That’s not all; Dynamic Island can also expand to a larger size to access different functions or launch applications, hence serving as a multitasking shortcut.

Coming back to the topic, Apple’s latest iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus now feature Dynamic Island. This means that the brand has ditched the traditional notch that was introduced on the iPhone X in 2017. It remains to be seen if Apple moves ahead with the Dynamic Island for all future iPhones, including the SE too.

Goodbye Lightning port, Hello USB-C

11 years! That’s how long Apple stuck to its proprietary Lightning port, introduced way back in 2012. The entire iPhone 15 lineup now has a USB-C port to comply with the norms set by the European Union. Oh, and Apple is bundling a color co-ordinated USB-C braided cable with the iPhone 15. The switch to a new connector means that the next time your iPhone runs out of juice, you just have to ask somebody for a USB-C cable, which is pretty much used for charging most devices today.

For those unaware, Apple has been working on streamlining its devices across various categories for more efficient and deeper integration within the ecosystem. The company’s custom silicon chipset is a prime example that has made its way to Macs and iPads. Apple already switched to USB-C ports on its computers and tablets in 2015 and 2019, respectively. Now with the iPhone 15 series getting the connector, the transition seems complete on the connectivity front.

Substantial camera upgrades

Another area where Apple upgrades the latest-generation non-pro iPhone 15 is in the camera department. The Cupertino-based tech giant has stuck to a 12MP main sensor on its previous devices for years. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus now feature a massively upgraded 48MP Sony sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and a 2x telephoto option that should offer higher-resolution images and improved details. The secondary ultra-wide-angle lens and the front-facing selfie snapper remain unchanged with 12 MP sensors. Machine learning will now automatically detect whether a person or pet are in frame and switch over to add the bokeh effect.

More power

Under the hood, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are equipped with Apple’s A16 Bionic processor. While this is not a newly announced chipset (the A17 has been reserved for the Pro models), it is still a welcome upgrade over the A15 that was found on last year’s variants, and it is also two years old now. The A16 Bionic that powers the iPhone 14 Pro models is said to be 7 percent faster than the A15.

Frosted glass back panel

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus now flaunt a frosted glass back panel. This was exclusively limited to the Pro models, while the non-Pro variants had a glossy finish. With the presence of frosted glass, the iPhone 15 duo will be resistant to fingerprints and smudges. It will also give a more premium look and feel.

Pricing

The first iPhone, when it came out in 2007, was priced at $499, which was a lot back then. Since then, the price of the iPhones has increased steadily, however, it is not consistent or predictable. Much of the pricing factor is attributed to improved technology and features, consumer demand, competitive pressures, etc. Additionally, the prices of the iPhones vary based on the market region.

The good news? Apple has kept the starting price tags of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus the same as their predecessors. The former starts at $799, whereas the latter retails at $899 for the base models.

Moment of Truth

Is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 15 or 15 Plus?

Absolutely, if you have been waiting to upgrade from an iPhone 13 or older. If you currently own the iPhone 14 or 14 Plus, it’s still worth considering the upgrade to the latest models. This is because you might get a good resale value or even a trade-in offer for a one-year device, which will only become devalued as it ages further.

iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus: Which is the most sensible choice?

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are nearly identical to each other. What really separates the two variants is only in terms of display size and battery capacity. Pricing is another factor to consider aside from the core specifications.

The demand for smaller phones has dwindled over time, with the base iPhone (including the SE) and the ASUS Zenfone phones remaining the last of the lot to offer a compact form factor with top-tier specifications. If you’re somebody (like me) who prefers less bulky devices and one-hand usage sans media consumption, the iPhone 15 is without any doubt a hands-down recommendation.

The iPhone 15 Plus is overall an excellent choice if the larger form factor does not bother you. It offers more bang for the buck with a larger screen estate and significantly longer battery life, which should aid in media consumption and other uses.

The post iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus Pack Major Changes: Is It Worth Upgrading Your Old iPhone? appeared first on Gizmochina.

Apple Wonderlust Event: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus Unveiled With Significant Upgrades And Changes

Viraj Gawde — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:55:31 +0000

Apple held its annual Wonderlust fall event today. As usual, the Cupertino-based tech giant has unveiled the next-generation iPhones, Watch Series, and more. The latest flagship iPhone 15 models pack significant upgrades over their predecessors and notably since the iPhone 11 which debuted way back in 2019. This time too, Apple has distinguished the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus from the Pro and Pro Max variants. Unlike the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus which were identical to their predecessors, the new non-pro iPhone 15’s come with new features and specifications. Read on to know more below.

iPhone 15, 15 Plus specifications

The only difference between the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus is in the display and battery department. Both retain the same boxy form factor with identical button placements as per previous iPhones. However, the square camera module is now slightly raised from the back panel.

Contrary to the previous generation iPhones, the latest non-pro iPhone 15’s feature a frosted glass back panel that was limited to the Pro models. On the front fascia, the phones come with Dynamic Island which was introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro variants last year. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have 6.1 and 6.7-inch Retina XDR OLED displays respectively with 2,000 nits peak brightness.

In terms of optics, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus feature upgraded primary cameras. It has a 48MP Sony sensor (compared to 12MP on iPhone 14) paired with a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens with additional 2x telephoto option. The smartphones have a 12MP selfie snapper on the front. The latest offerings also pack a host of new camera features. Users won’t have to switch to portrait mode as machine learning will automatically add depth when a subject is detected.

Under the hood, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are equipped with Apple’s A16 Bionic processor which powers last year’s Pro models. This is a welcome upgrade in terms of performance since the iPhone 14 duo were powered by the same processor found on the iPhone 13. The latest offerings pack 6GB RAM and up to 512GB internal storage. Apple hasn’t revealed the exact battery capacities on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus but they are said to offer 26 and 20 hours of usage respectively.

Software-wise, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus ship with iOS 17 out of the box. They feature a USB-C port which is a shift from the age-old lightning port. The latest duo also come with a second-generation Ultrawide-band chip that improves Find My capabilities. The Emergency SOS via satellite feature also gets Roadside Assistance functionality.

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are offered in Pink, Green, White, Black, Yellow, and Blue colors. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus start at the same price tag as their predecessors i.e. $799 and $899 respectively. Both phones will be available starting September 22.

Apple Wonderlust Event: Apple Watch Ultra 2 Debuts With 3,000 Nits Display, Double Tap Gesture Feature

Viraj Gawde — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:36:06 +0000

At Apple’s annual fall event, the company announced the new-generation iPhone 15 series, Watch Series 9, the second-generation Watch Ultra, and more. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 arrives as the successor to the last year’s model. For those unaware, it is the flagship smartwatch from the company heavily focused on adventure and outdoor enthusiasts. Apple seems to be taking the fight to Garmin with the Watch Ultra models. The newest second-generation offering packs incremental upgrades to its predecessor. Let’s take a look at what the wearable device has in store for us.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 specifications and features

Right off the bat, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 sports a rugged design similar to its predecessor that should be able to withstand damages. It has an aerospace-grade titanium unibody with a 49mm casing and a raised shell to protect the display. The wearable device is MIL-STD 810H approved, which is military and rugged equipment standard. It is also WR100-rated water-resistant and EN 13319-certified, an international diving standard. This makes the smartwatch ideal for kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and scuba diving to 40 meters. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also packs double-tap gesture feature (tapping the index finger and thumb) to answer calls, pause and resume timers, and more tasks without interacting with the device.

The Apple Watch Ultra retains the rotating crown and action button on the right side with the latter providing quick access to several features. It boasts an Always-on Retina display up to 3,000 nits for viewing under harsh sunlight. The smartwatch features three microphones and adaptive beamforming to improve call quality and reduce background noise. It also utilizes machine learning to cut down wind noise so that the audio is clear.

Coming to the health and fitness features, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is equipped with a heart-rate monitor along with an ECG sensor and SpO2 tracker. There have been many instances where Apple’s smartwatches have accurately detected atrial fibrillation and saved lives of users. The wearable device packs a menstrual cycle tracker for women with thermometry for improved forecast. It also has two sensors that eliminate body bias and external bias for women. Additionally, family planning can also benefit from retroactive ovulation estimates.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a multi-band dual-frequency GPS for outdoor usage. There are pro-running features and depth gauge for professional swimmers and divers. The device has an 86 dB Siren with emergency features to help others find the user in case they are lost. The smartwatch also retains crash detection that dials emergency medical services when it senses a severe car crash and if the user is unresponsive after 10 seconds.

Under the hood, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is equipped with a new S9 processor that is touted to deliver significant performance upgrades. It also has a second-generation ultrawide-band chip that offers improved Find My capabilities, precise location tracking, and better power efficiency. The latest smartwatch is touted to offer 36 hours of battery life under normal usage and up to 72 hours with low power enabled. Software-wise, it runs on watchOS10 which introduces new widgets, redesigned app icons, and a Modular Ultra watchface that will make use of the outer edge of the display.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 carries a price tag of $799 for the GPS + Cellular version. It will be available for purchase starting September 22.

Apple ‘Wonderlust’ Event Set For September 12: What To Expect

Viraj Gawde — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 16:39:23 +0000

Apple’s Fall launch event date is here. The Cupertino-based tech giant has officially sent out invitations for its next big product launch. The company will continue to follow its traditions of conducting its fall event in September and notably on the second Tuesday of the month. As usual, Apple is widely anticipated to unveil the next-generation iPhones, Watch Series, iPads, and more. Read on to know all the details below.

Apple Fall Event: When it is, what to expect?

This year Apple’s fall event is called ‘Wonderlust’. It is set to happen on September 12, Tuesday at 10 am PT. The event will take place at the iconic Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. The launch event will also be live-streamed on Apple’s website as well as their official YouTube channel. The Wonderlust event invitation shared by Apple includes the company’s logo in Black, Blue, and Grey colors. It likely hints at the rumored color options of the iPhone 15 Pro.

The new generation of iPhone is usually the highlight of Apple’s fall event, This year it is no different with the iPhone 15 series with all models in the lineup expected to pack significant upgrades since the iPhone 11. Plenty of leaks and rumors have revealed almost everything about the upcoming flagships. The Cupertino-based tech giant’s fall event also sees the arrival of new-generation smartwatches. This year, we will get the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 but there will be no Watch SE 3.

Apple is also expected to announce new-generation iPad Pros, and iMacs at the upcoming Wonderlust event.