Apple refreshes their iPhone and watch line with these new fall releases
By Kyle Wiseman// Staff Writer
As has become a tradition for every September, Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage on Sept. 12 to present the newest iterations of Apple’s hardware. This year Apple released a new version of their Apple Watch and a batch of three new iPhones: the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max. All of the new phones feature the new A12 Bionic chip, which is the first 7-nanometer chip released in the industry. According to Geekbench rankings, commonly used to determine processor speed, the A12 chip showed improvements from last year’s phones with scores in the range of 4788-4794 in single core performance and 10943-11129 in multi-core performance, compared to the previous version A11 chip’s scores of 4210-4221 and 10113-10168, respectively. All three phones will also feature advanced Face ID, new stereo recording for videos, and an improved splash, water and dust resistance rating of IP68. They will all ship with the new iOS 12, which gives users the ability to use two different faces for Face ID, a screen time feature that will provide people with information about how much time they spend on their devices and allow them to set limits to reduce their use. Siri Shortcuts will also enable users to automate multiple tasks that Siri can execute based off a single command. A new measurement app from Apple later this fall will be updated to support group Facetime calls with up to 32 people.
IPhone XR: The iPhone XR (pronounced iPhone Ten R) is the most inexpensive phone released by Apple this year with a starting price of $749 and the top version of the model costing $899. It is modeled after the iPhone X with an edge-to-edge display, but unlike last year’s iPhone, it has a six-inch Liquid Retina HD LCD display and aluminum body. It has an improved single camera system that is claimed to be better than the iPhone X’s dual camera system. Unlike Apple’s other phones, it is offered in white, black, blue, yellow and coral. They also sell a red version through their (PRODUCT) RED line that contributes directly to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. Apple has not offered so many color options for one of their iPhones since the brightly colored 5c debuted in September 2013 with five different color options. They are all offered with 64 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB of storage. The iPhone XR will be available to pre-order on Oct. 19 and available in stores on Oct. 26.
IPhone XS & iPhone XS Max: The iPhone XS (pronounced iPhone Ten S) is the updated version of the iPhone X, with prices for the iPhone XS starting at $999 and topping out at $1,349, and prices for the iPhone XS Max starting at $1,099 and topping at $1,449. They both boast a new Super Retina OLED edge to edge display with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and a screen size of 5.8 inches for the iPhone XS or 6.5 inches for the XS Max. They also have a stainless steel chassis like last year’s iPhone X. The XS and XS Max both take advantage of the new image processor in the A12 chip to enable Smart HDR, a feature that will make pictures in low light or extreme contrast situations look better. Early reviews of the feature have been very positive so far. Both phones are offered in silver, space gray and a new gold color. The storage options for the phones are 64 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are both available for order and are in stores, albeit on a limited supply due to high initial demand.
Apple Watch Series 4: The most recent update to the Apple Watch brings larger case options and larger display areas with it. The original options for the first three series were for a 38 mm or a 42 mm case size, but this year’s model will have the option for either a 40 mm or 44 mm size. The 40 mm will sport a 759 sq mm display area, which is bigger than the previous 42 mm version’s display area of 740 sq mm despite being a smaller watch overall. The new 44 mm size will feature a larger 977 sq mm display. The internals of the watch also got an upgrade with an improved gyroscope, improved accelerometer, and a new S4 processor designed by Apple, which is the first 64-bit CPU in an Apple Watch. Other new features include a second-generation optical heart sensor, fall detection which will automatically call 911, haptic feedback on the digital crown, louder speakers, and an electrical hear sensor with an app coming later in the year. The Apple Watch Series 4 is available with just GPS or GPS & Cellular like last year’s models. Both sizes and versions are offered in silver, gold and space gray aluminum cases. The GPS and Cellular version is also offered with a stainless steel case in all the same color options. All versions ship with 16 GB of storage and the new Watch OS 5, which features new watch faces including exclusives to the Series 4 that allows users to set up to 8 complications or put contacts on the watch face that can be speed dialed by pressing them. Watch OS 5 also features cadence tracking for runners, automatic workout detection, added hiking and yoga workouts, a walkie-talkie app that will allow Apple Watch users to talk to each other when they are on the same Wi-Fi network, and week-long activity challenges between friends. The prices vary depending on the size, GPS or GPS and Cellular, and the material of the case. The GPS only watches are $399 for the 40 mm or $429 for the 44 mm. The GPS and Cellular option is $499 for the aluminum 40 mm, $529 for the aluminum 44 mm, $699 for the stainless steel 40 mm, and $749 for the stainless steel 44 mm. They are all available now to order and in store.
The new iPhone XS Max has the biggest screen in iPhone history, a longer-lasting battery and plenty of new upgrades. Photo by Apple