One of the new features included in Apple's high-end OLED iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max is improved water and dust resistance, with the two devices now offering an IP68 rating, equivalent to Samsung's Galaxy S9 smartphones.
The IP68 rating means the iPhone XS and XS Max can withstand water up to two meters (6.6 feet) deep for approximately 30 minutes. In this number, the IP6x rating refers to dust resistance while the 8 represents water resistance.
IP6x is the highest dust resistance rating, so the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are fully protected from dust and dirt. The new IP68 rating is up from the IP67 rating of previous iPhones.
Apple's iPhone XR is also water and dust resistant, but it is IP67 rated rather than IP68 rated, like the iPhone X. IP67 means that the iPhone XR can withstand immersion in water up to one meter (3.3 feet) for 30 minutes.
Apple does not cover any kind of water damage to its iOS devices, so it's always best to use caution when exposing a water resistant iPhone to liquids.
Apple also warns that seals against water resistance can weaken over time, which is another reason why it's best not to deliberately expose iPhones to moisture. In general, though, the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR will hold up to accidental splashes of water and rain.
The Apple Watch Series 4, also newly announced, continues to feature the same water resistance rating as the Apple Watch Series 3. It has a water resistance of rating of 50 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010.
That means the Apple Watch Series 4 is suitable for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or an ocean, but it should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities that involve exposure to deep water or high-velocity water.
The long-awaited AirPower charging mat, which is designed to charge the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once, did not make an appearance at today's iPhone-centric event that saw the launch of new iPhone XS and iPhone XR models.
Apple did not mention the AirPower at all on stage, despite the fact that it's now been an entire year since the device was announced in September 2017 alongside the iPhone X.
In addition to failing to give an update on the AirPower, Apple has also essentially scrubbed all mentions of the device from its website. Searching for AirPower doesn't bring up anything, and the only place AirPower is listed appears to be on the page for the AirPods.
In a section of Apple's AirPods site the AirPower is depicted alongside a mention of an optional wireless charging case, which is listed as "currently unavailable." The wireless AirPods charging case was meant to be sold alongside the AirPower to enable AirPods wireless charging.
At this point, it's not clear what's going on with the AirPower. Apple originally said that the device would launch in 2018, but it seems like alongside new iPhones would have been the opportune moment.
It's clear there are still technical details to be worked out, and earlier this year, rumors suggested that Apple was still working on issues with overheating and dealing with multi-device circuitry. At the time, Apple was said to be aiming for a September launch, but no AirPower is coming in September.
Apple still has a few more months to meet its 2018 deadline for the AirPower, so it's possible we'll see the device debut via press release in October, November, or December.
Apple today unveiled Beats headphones in fresh color options that are designed to match the newly announced iPhone XS and iPhone XR models.
The Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear headphones, priced at $299.95, are available in Satin Silver and Satin Gold, two new shades that match the silver and gold iPhone XS models. There is no Space Gray option.
The UrBeats3 Earphones with Lightning connector, priced at $59.95, are available in new Blue, Yellow, and Coral colorways to match the iPhone XR models that come in those shades.
While the new Solo3 Wireless models are available for purchase starting today, the UrBeats3 models that match the new iPhone XR will be available later this fall, presumably when the iPhone XR models are released in October.
Now that the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have officially been announced, Apple.com has been updated with detailed pricing information for all versions of the new iPhones. We've rounded up the prices for the new iPhone XS models below, and note that these prices relate to the one-time payment option on Apple.com.
To start, the iPhone XS is priced the same as last year's iPhone X, now with the added 512GB tier:
iPhone XS 64GB - $999.00
iPhone XS 256GB - $1,149.00
iPhone XS 512GB - $1,349.00
With the iPhone XS Max, Apple not only has the biggest iPhone ever, but now the most expensive iPhone it's ever sold, with the 512GB tier reaching $1,449.00:
iPhone XS Max 64GB - $1,099.00
iPhone XS Max 256GB - $1,249.00
iPhone XS Max 512GB - $1,449.00
Estimates for monthly installment plans on AT&T place the iPhone XS Max 512GB at around $68.66 per month, while the iPhone XS 512GB is about $64.50 per month.
For those interested, all models of the iPhone XS and XS Max will be available for pre-order this Friday, September 14. Then, one week from Friday, the smartphones will launch on September 21.
The devices will be available in more than 30 countries and territories including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UAE, and US Virgin Islands.
The new iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR models all come equipped with support for dual-SIM functionality through the inclusion of a standard nano-SIM slot and an eSIM, a feature that has previously been used in iPad models.
According to Apple's website, eSIM functionality will not be available when the new iPhones launch, with the company instead planning to introduce it later this year through an iOS 12 software update.
Dual-SIM support will allow the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR to support two cellular plans at once. This is useful for people who have two phone numbers for work and personal use and for travel.
Both numbers used with a dual-SIM iPhone can make and receive voice calls and receive SMS and MMS messages, but an iPhone can only use one cellular data network at a time. That means if one number is on a call, a call to the other number will go to voicemail.
There will be a section in the iOS 12 settings to establish a default number and to label both cellular plans that are in use, with Apple outlining these features in a support document. You will be able to easily make and receive calls from both numbers and switch phone numbers for a call.
Not all carriers are going to support eSIM functionality, but in the United States, it will work with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile devices. Apple has a full list of carriers offering eSIM support on its website.
Dual-SIM functionality will be available in all new iPhone models and it appears to be available in all countries, despite rumors suggesting it could be limited to countries where multiple SIM use is more popular.
eSIMs are not allowed in China, so in this region specifically, Apple is introducing iPhones that support two physical SIMs. Other countries will have devices that support one physical SIM and one eSIM.
Apple's latest event has come to a close, and that means the press is now getting a chance to go hands-on with the newest iPhones: the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. While largely similar in design to the 2017 iPhone X, the new models pack in a few new features that are distinct from the previous generation, namely the XS Max's large new 6.5-inch display.
According to The Verge, the iPhone XS Max actually "feels much better than any 'Plus' iPhone ever has," thanks to a more ergonomic fit in the hands.
The iPhone XS Max is bigger, yes, but as you can see in the photos (below), it is almost hard to distinguish the two when you’re looking at photos. It feels much better than any “Plus” iPhone ever has. I always found the Plus-sized iPhones to be ungainly, but the Max seems to be a little more ergonomic in subtle ways. If you’ve wanted a Plus before but were put off by the size, I’d at least try to hold the new Max size before making your decision.
Although Engadget warned that the iPhone XS Max approaches "smartphone overkill" with its size, they ultimately admitted that the device is "shockingly" light.
And then there's the iPhone Xs Max, which is the closest Apple has ever come to full smartphone overkill. That's mostly because of the phone's massive display -- at 6.5-inches diagonal, this is the biggest screen that Apple has ever squeezed into a smartphone. To say it's a handful is putting it very mildly, but here's the really crazy thing: it's surprisingly light, almost shockingly so. That might not sound like something to get worked up over, but take it from me, a habitual phablet fan: every fraction of an ounce a company can shave off a phone's weight means my old-man wrist won't hurt quite as much in the long term.
TechRadar came away impressed with the camera quality on the XS, but said that this line of iPhones feels like one of the more disappointing "S" generations, given how it's missing many standout features that make it recognizably different from the previous models.
There’s always something so disappointing about the ‘S’ years of the iPhone - sure, it makes business sense for Apple given it can still command sales without having to redesign the phone every time, but without a new shape it’s not as easy to explain to buyers why it’s worth buying.
There are some decent improvements in the mix - notably the capacity, the louder speakers and the more colorful screen - but beyond that, many will likely be torn between last year’s iPhone X that will now be cheaper and having the latest iPhone as we can’t say the upgrades we saw were many and overpowering. The iPhone XR seems more of an impressive feat from Apple, to be honest.
Numerous publications pointed out some potential killer features of the iPhone XS include the bokeh effect slider in Portrait mode, as well as Dual SIM support. Dual SIM lets users integrate two separate phone numbers in one device, with one being a physical SIM card and another being an eSIM (China will get a version that supports two physical SIM cards).
Slash Gear called this a "potential gamechanger" for the iPhone XS lineup.
The other potential game-changer is dual-SIM support. To be accurate, only one version will have the ability to accommodate two physical SIM cards: a dual-SIM version of the iPhone Xs Max intended for China. Everywhere else will use a combination of one physical SIM and eSIM. That means carriers will need to play ball, and while Apple has a list of early compatibility, there’s still a reasonable chance that your operator of choice may not be up to speed.
Apple will offer SIM-free iPhone XS and iPhone XS models for pre-order according to Apple's website, which means customers will be able to purchase the new smartphones without a carrier.
The SIM-free models are not always offered for newly launched iPhones, especially when supplies are tight, so the availability of SIM-free models suggests iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max supply will be plentiful this year.
SIM-free models are unlocked and can be activated with any carrier at a later date, making them an appealing purchase choice.
To purchase a SIM-free device, the outright price must be paid upfront. The iPhone XS starts at $999, while the iPhone XS Plus starts at $1,099. Apple plans to begin offering pre-orders this Friday, likely at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time based on past iPhone launches.
Alongside the launch of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, Apple has introduced a new AppleCare+ plan that's designed to protect against theft and loss.
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss is priced at $299 (or $14.99 per month over 24 months) for the iPhone XS and XS Max and allows for two incidents of accidental damage, theft, or loss coverage, so long as the purchaser pays the deductible.
As with regular AppleCare+, Apple will repair accidental damage for $99, but a lost or stolen phone will be more expensive.
It will cost $199 to get an iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s or iPhone 6 replaced, and $229 to get an iPhone XR, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, or iPhone 6 Plus replaced.
For a replacement iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone X, customers will need to shell out $269. Getting a new iPhone will require the device in question to have Find My iPhone enabled. Disabling the feature voids coverage, according to Apple.
AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss will be available as a purchase option when pre-ordering an iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max this Friday.
It will also be available for the iPhone XR when that device becomes available, and based on the pricing of the plan for the iPhone 8 Plus, it will cost $249 or $12.99 per month for 24 months.
Apple is continuing to sell standard AppleCare+ that offers coverage for two incidents of accidental damage but no theft or loss coverage. Regular AppleCare+ for iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max will cost $199, so the Theft and Loss coverage is $100 more expensive.
Apple's new Series 4 Apple Watch lineup is missing the higher-end ceramic Apple Watch Edition models that were first introduced in 2016.
In fact, there are no higher-end Apple Watch Edition models at all this year, with Apple offering only GPS and GPS + Cellular Aluminum and Stainless Steel Series 4 Apple Watch options.
"Edition" models were first introduced alongside the original Apple Watch, with Apple offering solid gold Apple Watch options at prices that exceeded $10,000.
These models did not prove to be popular with consumers and Apple did not continue offering solid gold Apple Watch options beyond the original Apple Watch.
With the Apple Watch Series 2, Apple introduced "Edition" models that were made from ceramic priced starting at $1,299, which it continued offering when the Series 3 Apple Watches were announced.
Apple is continuing to sell Apple Watch Series 3 models as a low-cost option alongside new Apple Watch Series 4 models, but only in aluminum. Apple is no longer offering the Apple Watch Series 3 in stainless steel or ceramic, a material that has been discontinued.
The Apple Watch Series 4 is available in aluminum and stainless steel in colors that include Gold, Silver, Space Gray, and Space Black. Aluminum models start at $399, while stainless steel models are priced starting at $699. Stainless steel models start at a higher price point because all stainless steel models are equipped with LTE support.
With the launch of the Apple Watch Series 4 and the price drop on the Series 3 (which now starts at $279), Apple has also discontinued Apple Watch Series 1 models.
Apple Watch Series 4 will be available for pre-order on Friday, September 14, likely at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time. Orders will start shipping out on September 21, the launch date for the device.
Despite rumors suggesting Apple's 2018 iPhones might ship with an 18W adapter and a Lightning to USB-C cable to enable fast charging right out of the box, that didn't end up being the case.
The iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR ship with the same standard 5W Power Adapter that's traditionally included with iPhone models. The three devices also include a standard Lightning to USB-A cable, despite the fact that Apple's current Mac lineup has been transitioned to USB-C.
Those who want to use fast charging on the new 2018 iPhones will continue to need to purchase an 18W+ power adapter and a USB-C to Lightning cable.
There are plenty of third-party 18W+ power adapters on the market (or you can get a 30W MacBook charger from Apple for $49), but Apple sells the only certified Lightning to USB-C cable at this time. Apple is planning to let other manufacturers make these cables, but third-party USB-C to Lightning cables aren't expected until next year.
With fast charging, iPhone models are able to charge to 50 percent battery life in a 30 minute time span. iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR all support fast charging.
Amid the reveal of the Apple Watch Series 4, today Apple refreshed its band lineup with new colors for Fall 2018. There is no major new Apple Watch band style this season, like the introduction of the Sport Loop and Woven Nylon following previous events, but there are quite a few new colors to match the new iPhone cases.
To start, there are three new Sport Band colors: Nectarine, Blue Horizon, and Lavender Gray. These join existing Sport Band colors like Stone, Midnight Blue, Pink Sand, White, Black, and (PRODUCT)Red. Sport Bands run for $49.00 in the United States. There are no new Nike Sport Bands being sold individually.
Next up, the Sport Loop has added five new colors: Cape Cod Blue, Nectarine, Hibiscus, Storm Gray, and Indigo. You can also still buy the Pink Sand, Seashell, and Black Sport Loops. These also sell for $49.00 on Apple.com.
In leather, the Modern Buckle has gained new Peony Pink, Forest Green, Cape Cod, and Ruby (PRODUCT)Red options, all available in 40mm case sizes only. The Leather Loop (44mm only) has received Forest Green and Cape Cod as well, and the existing Stone option remains available. All of these run for $149.00.
On the more expensive side of things, Hermès has four new bands. There are two new Double Tour options, in Indigo/Craie/Orange Swift Leather and Bordeaux/Rose Extrême/Rose Azalée Swift Leather. Both of these are color blocked and match exclusive watch faces found on Apple Watch Series 4 Hermès editions, and cost $489.00.
The other two new bands are the same colors in Single Tour, which runs for $339.00.
Lastly, there's just one new color in the stainless steel section of Apple's bands webpage: a new Gold Milanese Loop for $149.00. You can also still buy the Silver and Space Black Milanese Loop, and now the Space Black option is priced the same as all the others at $149.00.
Since the headphone jack was removed from the iPhone with the launch of the iPhone 7, Apple has bundled iPhones with a Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter for customers who continue to have 3.5mm headphones.
With the launch of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, Apple is discontinuing this practice and will not include the Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter.
On the "In the Box" section of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR tech specs, no adapter is listed. The three devices will ship with EarPods with Lightning Connector, a Lightning to USB Cable, and a USB Power Adapter.
Apple's new iPhone lineup also marks the discontinuation of the iPhone 6s and the iPhone SE, the last two iPhones that Apple sold with a headphone jack.
None of the headphones in the new lineup, which includes the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, and iPhone 7, have a headphone jack.
Apple is continuing to sell the Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter separately for $9.
Apple's iPhone-centric event that saw the launch of new iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR models has officially wrapped up, and with the culmination of the event, Apple has posted the full video of the new product unveilings on its website.
For those who were avoiding news of the event because of being unable to watch the video due to work or school, the full event video will offer the chance to catch up on all of the announcements.
Apple will eventually publish the event video on its YouTube channel, but in the meantime, the company has shared several of the videos that were shown on stage, which we've included below.
We'll have plenty more coverage of the new iPhone and Apple Watch announcements today, including a video highlighting everything that was debuted, so make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors.com.
Alongside the new iPhone XS and XS Max, Apple has released new Silicone and Leather case options in a range of fall colors.
Priced at $39, Silicone Cases for the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max are available in colors that include Nectarine (a reddish orange shade), Lavender Gray (gray with a touch of blue), Blue Horizon, Stone, Pink Sand, Midnight Blue, White, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.
Leather Cases for the iPhone XS and XS Max, priced at $49, come in Peony Pink, Cape Cod Blue, Forest Green, Taupe, Midnight Blue, Saddle Brown, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.
Apple is also selling Folio Cases for iPhone XS and XS Max, priced at $99 for iPhone XS and $129 for iPhone XS Max. The Folio Cases are available in Peony Pink, Cape Cod Blue, Forest Green, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.
Apple has not yet released iPhone XR cases because that device will not be available to pre-order until October 19 ahead of an October 26 release date. Apple is likely to debut new cases for the devices closer to the launch date.
All of the new cases for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max will be available for purchase this Friday when the two new high-end smartphones become available for pre-order.
With today's announcement of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, Apple has officially discontinued the iPhone SE and the iPhone 6s, the two iPhones that it was selling as its most affordable smartphones.
The iPhone SE was Apple's last remaining 4-inch device, and now the smallest phone that Apple sells is the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 and iPhone 8.
Apple has also discontinued the iPhone X, something that we were expecting based on rumors. The iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max replace the iPhone X.
Apple's new lineup is as follows:
iPhone 7 with pricing starting at $449
iPhone 7 Plus with pricing starting at $569
iPhone 8 with pricing starting at $599
iPhone 8 Plus with pricing starting at $699
iPhone XR with pricing starting at $749
iPhone XS with pricing starting at $999
iPhone XS Max with pricing starting at $1,099
The iPhone 7 is now Apple's cheapest device at $449, which is $100 more expensive than the now-discontinued 32GB $349 iPhone SE. With the discontinuation of the iPhone 6s and the iPhone SE, Apple no longer sells an iPhone that includes a headphone jack.
The iPhone 7 models come with 32 or 128GB of storage, while the iPhone 8 models are available with 64 or 256GB of storage. The iPhone XR is available with 64, 128, or 256GB of storage, while the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are available with 64, 256, or 512GB of storage.
Apple's iPhone XS and XS Max smartphones will be available for pre-order this Friday, with a release date coming on September 21, while the iPhone XR will be available for pre-order on October 19 with a ship date of October 26.
Apple today announced the iPhone XR featuring an edge-to-edge "Liquid Retina" LCD display with wide color and True Tone support, and the same all-screen design as the iPhone Xs and Xs Max, but with an aluminum frame instead of stainless steel.
Comparatively, the iPhone XR has a bigger display (6.1-inch) than the iPhone 8 Plus (5.5-inch), but a smaller overall body, and comes in six colors: White, Black, Blue, Coral, Yellow, and (PRODUCT)Red.
A seven-layer color process gives the glass back nuanced hues, and the aluminum band and camera trim are color matched. The new design also supports Qi wireless charging, is splash and water resistant with a rating of IP67, and protects against everyday spills including coffee, tea and soda.
The iPhone XR uses LTE Advanced for faster download speeds and introduces Dual SIM through the combined use of a nano-SIM and digital eSIM.
Otherwise, the iPhone XR has many of the same gestures and features as iPhone X, with swiping up to unlock and no home button. iPhone XR does lack 3D Touch, but instead includes a new feature called "Haptic Touch," similar to the Force Touch found on MacBook Pro trackpads.
The iPhone XR is powered by Apple's A12 Bionic chip with next-generation Neural Engine, and includes the TrueDepth camera system first introduced in the iPhone X, along with faster Face ID, and a more advanced camera system capable of portrait photos via a single camera lens.
iPhone XR features a 12-megapixel f/1.8 aperture wide-angle lens with an all-new sensor, delivering faster auto-focus, while larger and deeper pixels improve image fidelity and low-light performance on photos and videos.
New Depth Control allows users to adjust the depth of field both in real-time preview and post-capture, while improvements to the ISP, Neural Engine and improved software algorithms enable portrait photos with a signature bokeh effect. New smart HDR feature also brings better highlight and shadow detail across photos, according to Apple.
iPhone XR will be available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB models in the aforementioned colors, starting at $749. iPhone XR will be available to pre-order in more than 50 countries beginning Friday, October 19, with availability in stores beginning Friday, October 26.
Apple today in California officially announced the "iPhone XS" and "iPhone XS Max," the latest iPhone models coming this year. The company confirmed that both models will come in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold color options, with Gold being the new addition to the iPhone XS lineup this year.
The iPhone XS models have the same design as the iPhone X from 2017, with an edge-to-edge OLED display, greatly reduced bezels, and a "notch" that houses the front-facing TrueDepth Camera system. The iPhone XS is the direct iPhone X successor and measures in at 5.8 inches, while the XS Max is Apple's biggest iPhone yet at 6.5 inches.
Apple says that the XS lineup has the most advanced iPhone features ever seen, thanks to a new A12 Bionic chip, which is the industry's first 7-nanometer chip. A12 Bionic includes a next-generation Neural Engine, powering a new and improved Face ID on the iPhone XS and XS Max, making the biometric security feature faster than iPhone X.
The new iPhones have the highest pixel density of any Apple device, coming in 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch sizes. The Super Retina displays have a custom OLED design and support Dolby Vision and HDR10, meaning that you can watch 4K content on the devices. On iPhone XS Max, you'll be able to see over 3 million pixels in videos, movies, and games.
As Apple points out, the iPhone XS Max is the largest display it has ever built in an iPhone, but the overall size of the device is similar to the iPhone 8 Plus. The screen includes the most durable glass ever in a smartphone with improved scratch resistance, the band around the side retains the iPhone X's stainless steel finish, and the back is made out of glass as well to enable wireless charging.
Both models are rated to IP68 water resistance for up to 2 meters for 30 minutes of submergence, meaning that the devices are protected against everyday spills and dips.
In terms of the processor, Apple's A12 Bionic features a six-core fusion architecture with two performance cores and four efficiency cores, as well as a four-core GPU, video encoder, Signal Processor, and more. All of this is as much as 50 percent faster and more efficient than last year's iPhone X, enabling new experiences in games, photography, video editing, and more.
Battery life is 30 minutes longer than the iPhone X on the iPhone XS, while the XS Max offers battery life that lasts an hour and a half longer than iPhone X.
The camera on the iPhone XS includes advanced depth segmentation, Smart HDR, advanced bokeh quality in Portrait mode photos, and dynamic depth of field that you can adjust after you take a photo. The 12-megapixel dual camera system features dual optical image stabilization with 2x optical zoom, while a new sensor is twice as fast.
In videos, the XS family features larger pixels and a faster sensor to enable improved low-light performance and video stabilization. With the four built-in mics, you can also record stereo sound to get the most out of video recordings.
The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max will be available in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, and in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold. The iPhone XS will start at $999 in 64GB, while the iPhone XS Max will start at $1,099 in 64GB. You'll be able to pre-order the smartphones on Friday, September 14, ahead of launch on Friday, September 21 in more than 30 countries and territories.
Apple announced new Apple Watch models at its Gather Round event today at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino. The Apple Watch Series 4 will be available in 40mm and 44mm sizes – a step up from the 38mm and 42mm options of previous models – has a thinner body, and comes with a number of next-generation medical heart detection features approved by the FDA.
The new models have screens that are 30 percent larger than previous versions and, combined with a new user interface, allow watch faces to display up to eight complications, while native apps can show more information.
The Digital Crown has been re-engineered to include haptic feedback for better tactile responsiveness, the built-in speaker is 50 percent louder, and the microphone has been relocated, to reduce echo for better sound quality.
Meanwhile, new heart detection features, made possible via a new electrical heart sensor, include the ability to perform electrocardiogram (ECG) readings right out of the box, as well as detect low heart rhythm with background detection for atrial fibrillation, and low heart rate monitoring to detect very low blood flow from the heart.
The back of the Series 4 is made entirely of ceramic and sapphire crystal, with radio waves able to pass more freely through the front and rear, enabling better reception when using cellular functions. Despite the new tech, battery life remains on average the same as the previous generation Apple Watch, while running enthusiasts can now look forward to six hours' battery life when using outdoor workouts.
A new 64-bit Dual Core S4 processor provides up to 2x faster performance over previous generation models, and faster accelerometer and gyroscope technologies allow for better sensitivity, including the ability to detect a physical fall.
By analyzing wrist trajectory and impact acceleration, the Apple Watch Series 4 sends the user an alert after a fall, which can be dismissed or used to initiate a call to emergency services. If the device senses immobility for 60 seconds after the notification, it will automatically call emergency services and send a message along with location to emergency contacts.
With watchOS 5, Activity competitions allow users to challenge other Apple Watch wearers, automatic workout detection provides an alert to start a workout while giving retroactive credit, and Yoga and Hiking are new dedicated workout types that accurately track active calories burned and exercise minutes earned.
Meanwhile, Apple Watch owners can reach their friends with a tap of the wrist with Walkie-Talkie, a watch-to-watch connection exclusive to watchOS 5 that allows communication around the world over Wi-Fi or cellular.
The 40mm and 44mm Apple Watch models come in GPS and GPS + Cellular versions, in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold aluminum case options, and stainless steel options in Silver, Space Black, and Gold (with matching Milanese band).
A new Nike+ collection for Series 4 features redesigned Nike watch faces, which match to the new band colors, including a Pure Platinum/Black Sport Band and a Summit White Sport Loop with reflective yarn. Meanwhile new Hermès variants introduce an assortment of color-blocked bands and watch faces that shift from one color to the other with the passage of the minute hand.
Apple Watch Series 4 pricing starts at $399 for GPS and $499 for LTE, while the Series 3 continues to be available but at the new lower price of $280. Orders for the new models and new bands open Friday, September 14, with availability beginning Friday, September 21, in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and US, with other countries later this year.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
