Cupertino, CA – Apple hosted its annual Wanderlust event on September 12th, 2023, where it unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 15 lineup and Apple Watch Series 9. The event, held at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, was led by CEO Tim Cook.
iPhone 15 Lineup Adds USB-C Charging
The new iPhone 15 lineup consists of three models – the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. All models feature an updated pill-shaped cutout housing the front camera and Face ID technology, doing away with the iconic notch.
A notable change in the iPhone 15 lineup is the adoption of the USB-C port. This is a major departure from Apple’s previous iPhones, which have all used the Lightning port. The USB-C port is more versatile than the Lightning port, and it is also the standard port for many other devices, such as laptops and tablets.
The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays respectively. The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a 6.7-inch display with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the A17 Bionic chip powers all models, providing up to 20% faster performance than the previous A16 chip.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus feature dual-camera arrays, while the 15 Pro Max has an impressive triple-camera system with LiDAR technology for enhanced AR capabilities. Pricing starts at $799 for iPhone 15, $899 for iPhone 15 Plus, and $1099 for iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Apple Watch Series 9 Offers Larger Displays
Alongside the iPhone lineup, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 9 – the first available in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm. It touts an all-new durable casing and Apple’s latest S8 chip promising 20% faster speeds.
The Series 9 introduces an electrical heart sensor and app to detect atrial fibrillation with greater accuracy. It runs on watchOS 9 and starts at $399 for GPS and $499 for cellular.
Other Announcements
Other announcements include updated AirPods Pro with longer battery life, a higher capacity MagSafe battery pack, and Apple One subscription bundles. While offering exciting upgrades, the new products come at premium prices which may deter budget-conscious consumers.
Overall, Apple’s 2023 Wanderlust event showcased iterative upgrades for the iPhone and Apple Watch, but failed to reveal any revolutionary new products or features. However, the refined devices with USB-C charging will appeal to Apple loyalists seeking the latest technology and performance.
