Apple launches three new iPhones and Apple Watch Series 4
iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR
The major talking point of the event was definitely the new iPhones. Apple released new smartphones day before yesterday, three new iPhones to be precise. Two of those, the iPhone XS and XS Max, are the direct successor to the iPhone X while the XR is ‘comparatively’ a cheaper model.
The iPhone XS and XS Max (whoever came with this name!) don’t have that many differences except for the display and battery size. The XS has a 5.8-inch Super Retina display with 2436 x 1125 pixels resolution while its maxed out sibling sports a tall 6.5-inch Super Retina display that has 1242 x 2688 pixels resolution.
Now there aren’t that many major upgrades the iPhone XS has over the X. According to Apple, its new flagship has 60% greater dynamic range in the display and provides a richer stereo sound with a better Face ID. The display now has 120Hz touch-sensing rate for better touch detection and the batteries are slightly bigger. And you can now change the depth of field of an image from the gallery itself. These devices will support dual SIM cards (Nano + eSIM) as well.
However, the major difference lies in the internals. The new iPhones (all three of them) are powered by Apple’s Hexa-core A12 Bionic chip which is the industry’s first 7nm chipset. This CPU is coupled with an octa-core Neural Engine that will aid in machine learning and various operations. Apple claims that the new phones will be much faster with all the features at the helm. The Neural system also helps in recognizing the scenes of a picture and applying the necessary effect, something we have already seen on quite a lot of devices.
The iPhone XR is Apple’s take on a cheaper iPhone, although you could definitely classify it as an expensive smartphone.
Apple iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR Specs Overview
| iPhone XR | iPhone XS/XS Max | |
| Display | 6.1-inch IPS LCD display, 828 x 1792 pixels | XS: 5.8-inch Super Retina display, 1125 x 2436, HDR 10 compliantXS Max: 6.5-inch Super Retina display, 2688 x 1242 pixels, HDR 10 compliant |
| CPU | Hexa-core Apple A12 Bionic | Hexa-core Apple A12 Bionic |
| RAM | 3 GB RAM | 4 GB |
| Onboard Storage | 64/128/256 GB | 64/256/512 GB |
| Rear Camera | 12 MP with f/1.8, OIS, PDAF, Quad-LED dual-tone flash | 12 MP (f/1.8) + 12 MP (f/2.4, 2x Optical Zoom), OIS, PDAF, Quad-LED dual-tone flash |
| Front Camera | 7 MP with f/2.2 | 7 MP with f/2.2 |
| Sensors | Face ID, Accelerometer, Proximity, Gyro, Compass | Face ID, Accelerometer, Proximity, Gyro, Compass |
| Operating System (OS) | iOS 12 | iOS 12 |
Apple iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR Price and Availability
The flagship devices are getting a lot expensive and the new iPhones are no different. Even the XR, which is supposed to be relatively cheaper, I think, comes with a hefty price tag.
| iPhone XR | iPhone XS | iPhone XS Max | |
| 64 GB | $749 | $999 | $1,099 |
| 128 GB | $799 | – | – |
| 256 GB | $899 | $1,149 | $1,249 |
| 512 GB | – | $1,349 | $1,449 |
Pre-order for the iPhone XS and XS Max will also start on September 14. The so-called affordable XR will be available for pre-order from October 19.
Apple Watch Series 4 Specifications
Apple Watch has been around for some time, and it’s turning out to be one of the most popular smartwatches.
https://youtu.be/6EiI5_-7liQ
It has also undergone a slight design change with the display and the finishing looking more refined than before. In terms of battery, the device provides a similar battery life like its predecessor.
The Series 4 now comes with a speaker that’s 50% louder and has a Ceramic and Sapphire back. This is the first consumer electronic that provides this service over the counter.
Apple Watch Series 4 Price and Availability
The new variant of the Apple Watch will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow, i.e. September 14. The base model with GPS will run for $399 whereas the cellular version is priced at $499.
