iPhone 15 Series and New Apple Smartwatches - Price and Key Features

At last, the excitement has settled, and we now have the new iPhone 15 series. The "Wonderlust" Apple event was a hybrid affair, held in-person at Apple Park in Cupertino and virtually via live streams on Apple's YouTube channel. The event started with CEO Tim Cook gracing the stage, reflecting on the company's year, and Offering an enticing glimpse of what is in store. Over the next two hours, a lineup of presenters and senior Apple executives guided us through the latest addition to Apple's smartphone list – the iPhone 15 series. This comprehensive series comprises the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, the revelations did not stop there; the event also witnessed the introduction of the new Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. For those who might have missed the event and are eager to catch up on its most significant announcements, here are some of the glimpses and Apple event 2023 highlights for you.

What is New in iPhone 15 Series?

One of the best things about the iPhone 15 series is that they are made in India. Thus, consumers can purchase the new flagship phones at a much more affordable price than their previous models. The most significant enhancements to the iPhones are centred around their rear camera systems. In the case of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, Apple is elevating the resolution of the 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, which serves as the primary lens, to an impressive 48-megapixels. This aligns with the technology featured in the iPhone 14 Pro. These models, much like the entry-level phones from the previous year, retain a 12-megapixel ultrawide-angle lens for capturing images with a broader field of view.

Key features include the Dynamic Island for notifications and Live Activities, a powerful 48MP Main camera for high-resolution photos, a 2x Telephoto lens, and a sleek design featuring colour-infused glass and aluminium. Charging is facilitated through USB-C. The iPhone 15 Pro retains its 3X optical zoom, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max benefits from adding a 5X telephoto lens. Additionally, the sensor size has been increased by 25%.

Apple asserts that the fresh Titanium design represents the most upscale material ever in an iPhone casing. It is characterised as being both robust and long-lasting yet remarkably lightweight. These models mark the lightest Pro versions to date. They boast new contoured edges and the slimmest borders ever seen on an iPhone. Furthermore, the dimensions have been reduced without compromising the display size. Holding the iPhone 15 Pro is described as a delightful experience by the tech giant.

The Apple Watch models introduce an aerospace-grade titanium design, the A17 Pro chip, a customisable Action button, a robust iPhone camera system, and USB-C with USB 3 for rapid data transfers. The Apple Watch Series 9 features the most powerful chip ever in an Apple Watch, an innovative touchless interaction method, a twice as bright display, and environmentally friendly case and strap combinations. The Ultra 2 has been powered by the same chip as the Apple Watch Series 9 and boasts the brightest Apple display to date and the most accurate GPS for sports activities, even in densely populated urban areas. It is available with carbon-neutral case and strap combinations.

All About iPhone 15 Series You Must Know

Here are all the details you must know about the iPhone 15 series:

iPhone 15 - Rs. 79,900

• Colours: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
• Finish: Aluminium design, Ceramic shield front, Colour-infused glass back
• Capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
• Display: 6.1-inches, super retina XDR display, all-screen OLED display, 2556 x 1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
• Chip: A16 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 Efficiency cores, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
• Camera: Advanced dual-camera system: 48MP Main: 26 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP), 12MP Ultra-Wide: 13 mm, 12MP 2x Telephoto (enabled by quad-pixel sensor): 52 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom Range, Digital zoom up to 10x, Panorama (up to 63MP)
• Safety: Emergency SOS & Crash Detection
• Charging & Expansion: USB-C connector with support for Charging DisplayPort, USB 2 (up to 480 Mbps)

iPhone 15 Plus - Rs. 89,900

• Colours: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
• Finish: Aluminium design, Ceramic shield front, Colour-infused glass back
• Capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
• Display: 6.7-inches, super retina XDR display, all-screen OLED display, 2796 x 1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
• Chip: A16 Bionic chip, 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
• Camera: Advanced dual-camera system: 48MP Main: 26 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP), 12MP Ultra-Wide: 13 mm, 12MP 2x Telephoto (enabled by quad-pixel sensor): 52 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range, Digital zoom up to 10x, Panorama (up to 63MP)
• Safety: Emergency SOS & Crash Detection
• Charging & Expansion: USB-C connector with support for Charging DisplayPort, USB 2 (up to 480 Mbps)

iPhone 15 Pro - Rs. 1,34,900

• Colours: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
• Finish: Titanium design, Ceramic shield front, Textured matt glass back
• Capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
• Display: 6.1-inches, super retina XDR display, all-screen OLED display, 2556 x 1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
• Chip: A17 Pro chip, New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, New 6-core GPU, New 16-core Neural Engine
• Camera: Pro camera system: 48MP Main: 24 mm, ƒ/1.78 aperture, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP), 12MP Ultra-Wide: 13 mm, 12MP 2x Telephoto (enabled by a quad-pixel sensor): 48 mm, ƒ/1.78 aperture, 12MP 3x Telephoto: 77mm, ƒ/2.8 aperture, optical image stabilisation, 3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range, Digital zoom up to 15x
• Safety: Emergency SOS & Crash Detection
• Charging & Expansion: USB-C connector with support for Charging DisplayPort, USB 3 (up to 10 Gbps)

iPhone 15 Pro Max - Rs. 1,59,900

• Colours: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium
• Finish: Titanium design, Ceramic shield front, Textured matt glass back
• Capacity: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
• Display: 6.7-inches, super retina XDR display, all-screen OLED display, 2796 x 1290-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
• Chip: A17 Pro chip, New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, New 6-core GPU, New 16-core Neural Engine
• Camera: Pro camera system: 48MP Main: 24 mm, ƒ/1.78 aperture, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP), 12MP Ultra-Wide: 13 mm, 12MP 2x Telephoto (enabled by a quad-pixel sensor): 48 mm, ƒ/1.78 aperture, 12MP 5x Telephoto: 120mm, ƒ/2.8 aperture, 3D sensor-shift optical image stabilisation and autofocus, 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range, Digital zoom up to 25x
• Safety: Emergency SOS & Crash Detection
• Charging & Expansion: USB-C connector with support for Charging DisplayPort, USB 3 (up to 10 Gbps)

The Universal Adaptation of USB-C for Apple

USB-C has emerged as the universally embraced standard for Apple, with the iPhone 15 adopting the USB-C port instead of the Lightning Port. This transformation means the same cable can charge a Mac, iPad, iPhone, and even the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro, now featuring a new USB-C connector. But why this change? For context: The European Union has issued a mandate that by the conclusion of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras sold within the region must come equipped with a USB Type-C charging port.

When can you Order the iPhone 15 Series?

Pre-orders for the iPhone 15 series will begin at 5:30 p.m. on September 15, with availability starting September 22.

All About Apple Watch Series You Must Know

In the event hosted on September 12, Apple also launched two variants of its smartwatch: Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9. Apple maintained the exact dimensions as their predecessors. These new watches have the next-generation S9 chip, offering enhanced animations and effects. This marks the first processor upgrade since the release of the Series 6 line in 2020.

Among the new features is the "double tap" function, a novel gesture feature that lets users control the watch without touching its screen. Additionally, improvements have been made to dictation and screen brightness. Notably, the Series 9 represents Apple's new carbon-neutral product, and the company has committed to powering all watch Manufacturing processes with 100% clean energy starting this year. Furthermore, Apple will eliminate the use of leather in all its products, including watch bands.

Apple Watch Series 9 - Price: Rs. 41,900

• Case Size: 45 mm or 41 mm aluminium or stainless-steel case size
• Available Combinations: Carbon-neutral combinations available
• Display: Always-On Retina display Up to 2,000 nits
• SiP: S9 SIP, Double tap gesture, Faster on-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone
• Tracking: Blood Oxygen app, ECG app, High and low heart rate notifications, Irregular rhythm notifications, Low cardio fitness notifications
• Sensors: Temperature sensing, Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
• Emergency: Emergency SOS, International emergency calling, Fall Detection and Crash Detection
• Resistance: 50m Water resistant, Swim proof
• Cellular Connectivity: GPS, Available cellular connectivity
• Battery: Up to 18 hours, up to 36 hours in low power mode, fast charging

Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Rs. 89,900

• Case Size: 49 mm titanium case size
• Available Combinations: Carbon-neutral combinations available
• Display: Always-On Retina display Up to 3,000 nits
• SiP: S9 SiP, Double tap gesture, Faster on-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone
• Tracking: Blood Oxygen app, ECG app, High and low heart rate notifications, Irregular rhythm notifications, Low cardio fitness notifications
• Sensors: Temperature sensing, Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
• Emergency: Emergency SOS, International emergency calling, Fall Detection and Crash Detection, Siren
• Resistance: 100m Water resistant, Swim proof, High-speed water sports, Recreational dive to 40m
• Cellular Connectivity: Precision dual-frequency GPS, Cellular connectivity
• Battery: Up to 36 hours, up to 72 hours in low power mode, fast charging

What is New in the Apple Watch Series?

The Apple Watch Series 9 has aluminium models (choice of GPS or GPS + Cellular) and stainless-steel models (comes with GPS + Cellular). The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts the most powerful chip in an Apple Watch, a novel touchless interaction feature, a display that's twice as bright, and environmentally conscious case and strap combinations. Sharing the same chip as the Apple Watch Series 9, the Ultra 2 offers the brightest Apple display to date and the most accurate GPS in a sports watch, particularly in dense urban environments. It is also available with carbon-neutral case and strap combinations.

When can you Order a New Apple Watch?

The orders are now open for Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, with deliveries starting September 22.

Wrapping Up

The Apple 2023 launch event has again left us stunned with many exciting innovations. From the unveiling of the iPhone 15 series with its striking design, advanced camera systems, and the remarkable shift to USB-C to the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Ultra 2, Apple continues to push the boundaries of technology. As we embrace these cutting-edge devices, it is evident that Apple's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is stronger than ever, with promises of carbon-neutral products and cleaner energy in manufacturing.