Apple is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Florence relief efforts, as it routinely does for natural disasters, according to a tweet shared by Apple CEO Tim Cook today.
Apple often accepts Red Cross donations from customers through the App Store and iTunes Store, but it has yet to add banners to either storefront, or Apple.com. We'll update this article if that changes.
The Carolinas are in our hearts. To our employees there, first responders and everyone in Hurricane Florence’s path, please stay safe. To help those affected, Apple is donating $1M to the Red Cross.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 14, 2018
Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina earlier today as a Category 1 storm, resulting in destructive winds, rain, and storm surges across the Carolinas and southeastern United States.
LG has been selected as a secondary supplier of flexible OLED display panels for iPhones, according to Korean publication ETNews.
The report, citing unnamed sources, claims that LG's sixth-generation flexible OLED display panels recently passed a series of Apple's quality tests. LG is now preparing for mass production at one of its plants, the sources said.
In April, The Wall Street Journal reported that Samsung would likely remain Apple's exclusive supplier of OLED display panels for the latest iPhones, unveiled Wednesday, after LG fell behind schedule due to mass production challenges.
If today's report is accurate, however, LG may still be coming on board as a secondary supplier of at least some OLED panels soon. Korean newspaper Newspin reported about a potential deal signed between Apple and LG back in July.
Samsung has been Apple's exclusive supplier of OLED display panels since the iPhone X launched last year. Numerous reports have identified LG as a potential second supplier, as Apple routinely aims to diversify its component makers.
While this news does not have significant implications for customers, Apple can potentially negotiate lower prices for OLED panels as Samsung and LG compete for its business, thereby lowering its production costs of OLED-equipped iPhones.
Earlier this week, Apple introduced the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max with 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch sized OLED displays respectively. The new, lower-priced iPhone XR is equipped with a 6.1-inch LCD as a cost-cutting measure.
The original iPhone X also has a 5.8-inch OLED display, but Apple discontinued that model upon announcing the XS and XS Max.
Apple has announced it will invest in a mangrove tree restoration project for a 27,000-acre forest in Colombia, as part of a broader effort by the company to achieve carbon neutrality (via Fast Company).
Apple VP of environment, policy, and social initiatives Lisa Jackson gave details of the investment at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, but stopped short of disclosing how much cash Apple intends to earmark for the project, which is being undertaken in partnership with the non-profit Conservation International.
Image via Fast Company
"These forests are critical because they're one of nature's most important tools in the battle against climate change – they can absorb and store up to ten times more carbon than a terrestrial forest," Jackson told the audience.
The project will involve tree-planting in degraded areas of the Colombian forest and tree preservation, which should help capture an estimated one million metric tons of CO2 emissions over its lifetime. Projections over the first two years indicate 17,000 metric tons in reduced emissions.
That's the same amount of emissions generated by the cars that will update Apple Maps over the next decade, making the program carbon neutral for the company, notes Fast Company.
According to M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International, mangrove trees are excellent absorbers of carbon and are able to store carbon dioxide in their leaves and branches, as well as siphon off the gas into surrounding soil and sediment through vast underwater root systems.
Mangrove trees "have the densest carbon storage of any habitat on Earth," said Sanjayan. "If you want to actually change the thermostat of the world in your lifetime, then ending the destruction of mangroves and restoring them is one of the biggest things you can do."
Conservation International has calculated how much "blue carbon" the trees sequester underwater, which will allow the project to quantify the trees' ability to act as "carbon sponges".
"By investing, [Apple] opened the door for others to also think about blue carbon as a viable way to sequester carbon and reduce emissions globally," said Sanjayan.
Back in 2015, Apple partnered with the Conservation Fund to acquire over 36,000 acres of working forest in Maine and California, ensuring the maintenance of the forests and preserving the supply of raw materials for paper. Later that year, Apple committed to protecting one million acres of forest in China.
Underlining its environmental commitments, Apple announced in April that its global facilities, including retail stores, offices, data centers, and more, are powered with 100 percent clean energy.
Apple began accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 models at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, and a half hour later, shipping estimates have slipped for many iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 4 models in the United States. At launch, all devices listed delivery estimates of Friday, September 21, but now estimates have largely slipped to October.
iPhone XS Max models in all colors and all capacities from Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are now listing delivery dates ranging from September 28 to October 12, but in some areas, in-store pickup on launch day remains an option.
For the SIM-free iPhone XS Max models, which must be purchased in full up front and are not eligible for the iPhone Upgrade Program, most continue to list September 21 delivery dates. Shipping estimates for the iPhone XS have not slipped and supplies of that device appear to be plentiful.
Almost all stainless steel Apple Watch Series 4 models are now listing shipping dates of October 5 to October 12 with the exception of some 40mm models, and supplies of aluminum Apple Watch Series 4 models available for launch day delivery are also beginning to wane.
Multiple Cellular + GPS models are still available, but the less expensive GPS-only models are almost all listing October shipping dates.
Shipping estimates for the Apple Watch Series 4 and iPhone XS Max are likely to continue to slip as additional orders are placed. Those who were not able to place an order early will not be able to get launch day delivery through an online shipment, but Apple retail stores are likely to have stock available for walk-in purchases.
The first pre-orders for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 will be delivered on Friday, September 21, the official launch date for the devices.
Apple is now accepting pre-orders for the new iPhone XS and XS Max models through its online storefront and through the Apple Store app.
Available in 5.8 and 6.5-inch screen sizes, the iPhone XS and XS Max feature super sharp edge-to-edge OLED displays with support for Dolby Vision, HDR 10, and Wide Color.
Design wise, the new smartphones look like the iPhone X with stainless steel frames and glass bodies, but there's a new gold color option, improved IP68 waterproofing, and the internals have been upgraded. The new iPhones are equipped with the A12, which is faster and more efficient than the A11.
Face ID unlocking is faster than before, and the dual-lens camera system has been upgraded with a bigger sensor for sharper, crisper photos in low light, plus there's a new Smart HDR feature that brings out more detail in images and a new Depth Control option that allows for adjustable depth of field.
Pre-orders are available in first wave launch countries including 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, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
All of the major U.S. carriers -- Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile -- are accepting pre-orders for the new devices, as are many other carriers around the world. Major online retailers including Best Buy and Target are also accepting pre-orders starting today.
Pricing on the iPhone XS begins at $999 for 64GB of storage, with 256GB of storage priced at $1149 and 512GB of storage priced at $1349. iPhone Upgrade Program customers will be able to get the iPhone XS starting at $49.91 per month.
Pricing on the iPhone XS Max begins at $1099 for 64GB of storage, with 256GB of storage priced at $1249 and 512GB of storage priced at $1449. iPhone Upgrade Customers will be able to purchase the iPhone XS Max starting at $54.08 per month.
In the United States, customers can purchase iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models from any of the four major carriers using Apple's site, or choose a SIM-free version. That SIM-free models are available suggests supplies are plentiful, but it's still always a good idea to place orders early.
Customers who successfully place an order for launch day delivery can expect to begin receiving their devices starting on Friday, September 21, the official launch date for the iPhone XS and XS Max.
Alongside the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the Apple Watch Series 4 is now available for pre-order from Apple's online storefront and through the Apple Store app.
Apple Watch Series 4 marks the first ever design change for the Apple Watch since its debut, with the new models offering displays that are up to 30 percent larger along with a smaller, thinner case. The new models are available in 40 and 44mm size options, up from 38 and 42mm.
Several new watch faces have been designed for the Apple Watch Series 4 to take advantage of the additional screen real estate, and all models now use black ceramic and sapphire crystal backing for better cellular service.
Haptic feedback has been built into the Digital Crown, which is also equipped with electrodes to enable a new feature that lets the watch take an electrocardiogram (ECG) reading. Inside, the Apple Watch Series 4 is equipped with a faster, more efficient S4 chip and a next-generation accelerometer and gyroscope enable fall detection. Despite the new features, Series 4 models continue to offer "all-day" 18-hour battery life.
Pre-orders for the cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models are available in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and US.
Non-cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models are available for pre-order in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
Major U.S. carriers - Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile - are accepting pre-orders for the LTE Apple Watch Series 4 models, as are other carriers around the world. Major online retailers including Best Buy and Target are also accepting pre-orders starting today.
Supplies of the Apple Watch Series 4 could potentially be limited and the device may be in high demand given that it's a major upgrade over the Series 3, so customers interested in launch-day delivery should order as soon as possible.
Apple Watch Series 4 models are available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold in both aluminum and stainless steel. Apple is offering multiple configurations and band options for the Series 4, with a full list of options available here.
The first Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders are expected to arrive to customers on Friday, September 21, the official launch date for the device. Nike+ Series 4 models are available for pre-order today but won't be shipped out to customers until October 5.
Apple has taken its online storefront down in order to prepare for pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4, with orders set to launch at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time or 3:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 14 in the United States.
In other countries, pre-order times will vary based on local time zone. Pre-orders will kick off at 5:01 p.m. in Sydney, for example, 3:01 p.m. in China, and 8:01 a.m. in the UK. For details on when pre-orders go live in your country, make sure to check out our post that lists all of the pre-order times.
Apple will plans to accept pre-orders through the Apple website and the Apple Store app. T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon will all be accepting pre-orders for the iPhones and cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models in the U.S., as will major retailers like Target and Best Buy.
Pre-orders for iPhone XS and XS Max will be available from Apple at 12:01 a.m. PT in the following first wave launch countries: 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, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
Pre-orders for the cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models will be available in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and US.
Non-cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models will be available for pre-order in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
Because it's not clear whether Apple has adequate supply of iPhone XS, XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 models, customers hoping to get one of the new devices on launch day should order as early as possible. We haven't heard word of shortages, but it's still always best to order as soon as you can.
The iPhone XS and XS Max, which are priced starting at $999 and $1099, respectively, are available in 64, 256, and 512GB configurations in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray.
Apple Watch Series 4 GPS-only models start at $399, while Apple Watch Series 4 models with GPS and LTE start at $499. Apple Watch Series 4 will be available in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray aluminum and stainless steel.
The first Apple Watch Series 4, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max orders placed today are expected to be delivered on Friday, September 21, the official launch date for the devices.
Pre-orders for the iPhone XR are not set to go live until October 19, so customers who prefer Apple's lower-cost device will need to wait until then to make a purchase.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Choetech to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Wireless Charging Stand that's perfect for use with Apple's newly announced 2018 iPhones.
Choetech's Wireless Charging Stand, which supports the faster 7.5W charging specification, works with the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.
Priced at $24, the Wireless Charging Stand comes bundled with the QC 3.0 power adapter that's necessary to enable 7.5W wireless charging on iOS devices. For other Qi-based devices, such as Samsung's Galaxy line, it will also charge at up to 10W.
This upright charger features a little shelf to hold the iPhone in place along with two charging coils so that it will work well with iPhones of all sizes. Your iPhone can be placed in either portrait or landscape orientation when using the Wireless Charging Stand.
Choetech has included temperature protection, over-voltage protection, and short circuit protection for safe charging, and there's a built-in indicator to show charging status with a sleep-friendly muted light.
Choetech is offering a discount on the Wireless Charging Stand and the separate power adapter for those who don't win our giveaway. The Wireless Charging Adapter is available for $18.99 with the code MACHO524B, while the Wireless Charging Stand is available for $9.99 with code MACHO524.
We have 30 of the Choetech Wireless Charging Stands to give away. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (September 13) at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time through 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time on September 21. The winners will be chosen randomly on September 21 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
Pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 will begin at 12:01 a.m Pacific Time on September 14, which is just hours away. While Apple tends to offer the smoothest, more streamlined pre-order process through its website and Apple Store app, multiple carriers and retailers will also be offering September 14 pre-orders.
There are no rumors suggesting supplies of the new devices are going to be constrained, but it's always a good idea to pre-order early if you're aiming for a launch day device. It's a good idea to have a backup plan if Apple happens to sell out of a particular device that you're aiming for.
Below, we've rounded up the carriers and retailers in the United States that we've confirmed are offering pre-orders for the new Apple Watch and iPhone models.
Carriers
T-Mobile will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
Customers can elect to sign up for a reminder email on the T-Mobile website, and those with the T-Mobile app will receive a push notification when pre-orders go live.
T-Mobile's Equipment Installment Plan will require a $279.99 down payment for the 64GB iPhone XS, with monthly payments at $30. Higher down payments of $429 and $629 are required for the 256 and 512GB models.
For the iPhone XS Max, T-Mobile will require customers to pay $379.99 up front, with monthly payments at $30 per month. A downpayment of $529 is required for the 256GB iPhone XS Max, while a $729 downpayment is required for the 512GB iPhone XS Max.
T-Mobile customers can get an aluminum Apple Watch Series 4 model for $0 down with monthly payments of $20.83 for the 40mm version and $22.08 for the 44mm version. Stainless steel models will require a downpayment of $171.99 (40mm) or $221.99 (44mm) with a monthly payment of $22.
T-Mobile says that its "super well-qualified customers" can pre-order iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models for $0 down, with the chart above pertaining to "well-qualified customers," so pricing may vary.
Customers who trade in an eligible iPhone can get up to $300 towards the purchase price of a new iPhone.
AT&T will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14. AT&T will also be offering the Apple Watch Series 4 starting on September 14.
AT&T is featuring a countdown to when pre-orders begin on its website, and customers can also sign up to receive an email when pre-orders go live.
Pricing for the iPhone XS starts at $41.63 per month for 24 months using AT&T's Next payment installment program. Pricing for the iPhone XS Max starts at $45.80 per month for 24 months using AT&T Next.
Verizon will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
There is a countdown to pre-orders on the Verizon website, and customers can sign up for email updates.
iPhone XS pricing at Verizon starts at $41.66 per month for 24 months, while iPhone XS Max pricing starts at $45.83 per month for 24 months.
Verizon will be selling the Apple Watch Series 4 for $83.33 per month paid over six months, with the company planning to temporarily waive line charges when a new Apple Watch is activated.
Verizon is offering a promomotion that provides $700 off a second iPhone when purchasing an iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8+, iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max using a Verizon device payment plan and activating a new line of service.
As for trade-ins, Verizon is offering a $100 minimum trade-in with iPhone XS or XS Max purchase.
Sprint will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
According to Sprint, Sprint customers can "jump the line" and receive Sprint Priority Status by downloading the MySprint app. Sprint is reserving pre-order spots starting now, allowing customers to save a spot without needing to get up at midnight PT.
Sprint customers are instructed to choose a device and then re-visit the Sprint app by midnight on Saturday, September 15 to place an official order.
Comcast's Xfinity Mobile will be offering iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max pre-orders starting at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
Retailers
Best Buy confirmed to MacRumors that it will begin accepting pre-orders for Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T iPhone XS and XS Max models at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on September 14.
Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders will also be available at the same time.
Target will be offering iPhone XS, XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 for sale, and while the website does not list a specific availability time, it's likely pre-orders will kick off at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time.
Target will have Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint models available for purchase.
Like Target, Walmart is listing the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max as "coming soon," with no specific availability date listed. Apple Watch Series 4 is also listed as "coming soon."
We've asked Walmart for clarification, but it's likely pre-orders will begin at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time.
B&H Photo is accepting pre-orders for the Apple Watch Series 4 starting at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, September 14. Most customers ordering from B&H Photo will not need to pay taxes as taxes are only applicable in New York or New Jersey.
B&H Photo does not sell iPhones and will not have iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models available.
AppleCare+ for Apple Watch Series 4 models is priced at $79, $30 more than AppleCare+ cost for the Apple Watch Series 3 models.
The new AppleCare+ pricing for the Apple Watch Series 4 models is listed on purchase pages and on Apple's AppleCare+ product page. Customers purchasing AppleCare+ for a new Apple Watch can pay the $79 up front or pay a fee of $3.99 per month for 24 months.
It's not clear why Apple has increased the price of AppleCare+ for the Apple Watch Series 4 by $30, but these models do include larger displays and new electrical sensors to enable ECG functionality.
The $79 price point applies to both aluminum and stainless steel Apple Watch Series 4 models with LTE + GPS connectivity and GPS connectivity alone.
AppleCare+ for Apple Watch Series 4 extends warranty coverage up to two years from the date of purchase and it adds coverage for two incidents of accidental damage, each subject to a $69 service fee.
For Hermès Apple Watch Series 4 models, Apple is continuing to charge $99 for AppleCare+.
If you missed Apple's "Gather Round" event yesterday or if you just want to rewatch, the event video in its entirety is now available from Apple's YouTube channel, in addition to the Apple Event website.
At the "Gather Round" event that was held at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, Apple unveiled its new 2018 iPhone and Apple Watch lineup.
Three new iPhones made an appearance, including the high-end flagship OLED iPhone XS and XS Max in 5.8 and 6.5-inch screen sizes and the new lower-priced iPhone XR, which features an LCD display and six color options.
Apple also unveiled new Apple Watch Series 4 models with bigger displays, slimmer bodies, a faster S4 chip, a haptic Digital Crown, and support for taking electrocardiogram (ECG) readings.
If you don't want to watch Apple's full video, take a look at our recap, which covers all of the major features you need to know in just six minutes.
The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 will be available for pre-order starting tonight at 12:01 a.m. ahead of a September 21 launch date. The iPhone XR will be available for pre-order on October 19 ahead of an October 26 launch date.
Apple still has multiple products on the horizon that did not make a debut at the September event, which suggests we may also get an October event where the company launches new Macs and iPad Pro models.
Apple's chief designer, Jony Ive, recently discussed this week's reveal of the Apple Watch Series 4 with The Washington Post, stating that "Every bone in my body tells me this is very significant."
Ive's comment references new health-related features in the Apple Watch Series 4, including the ability to detect if you've fallen down and a new feature that lets you take an ECG measurement -- the first time that’s been possible in a wrist-worn device. In the interview, the designer further states that the new watch "will be a more marked tipping point in understanding and adoption of the product."
According to Ive, Apple plans to focus on further separating the Apple Watch from the iPhone in the future, in addition to increasing the reliability of internet and cellular connectivity.
Ive won’t give away how Apple wearables could spiral beyond the watch, though company watchers expect an augmented reality device could be in the works. He hints that the watch, on the other hand, could evolve in the years to come.
“The clues for the future are when you can have a high degree of confidence that you personally are connected to the Net — not your phone, you,” said Ive. Sporting a new watch with a white rubberized band, Ive said the gadget has helped him lessen his dependence on his phone.
Ive says that he became "zealous" about the Apple Watch following the thousands of user letters sent to the company, in which people describe how the wearable saved their life. These life-saving Apple Watch stories have grown frequent in the years since Apple debuted the Apple Watch in 2015, with many referencing the device's ability to pick up on abnormal heart patterns and others using the Apple Watch's emergency 911 feature.
“I’m so zealous about the watch because I see it as making a material difference to people’s quality of life and actually their ability to be alive,” Ive said.
Ive also mentions that the increased display area of Apple Watch Series 4 is beneficial to users who want to reduce the screen time on their iPhones. Ive says that while the Series 4 displays are bigger, they aren't so expansive that you'll become sucked into a social media spiral.
“The screen size isn’t so expansive that you somehow feel you’ll fill every minute browsing whatever you browse, whether it’s your social media, ” said Ive. He added: “It addresses that functional imperative of being able to be in touch. ”
The all-new Apple Watch Series 4 is just hours from being available for pre-order, with orders opening on Apple.com at 12:01 a.m. PDT on September 14. If you're still on the fence about jumping to the new generation, this post should help you discern all of the pros and cons between sticking with your Apple Watch Series 3 or going with the upgraded Apple Watch Series 4.
Display
Perhaps the first thing you'll notice about the Series 4 is its bigger display, which is up to 35 percent larger than the Series 3. Specifically comparing the larger 42mm Series 3 and 44mm Series 4 models, the Series 3 has a 740 sq mm display area while the Series 4 has a 977 sq mm display area. This means that the 44mm Series 4's display is 32 percent larger than the 42mm Series 3.
Likewise for the smaller models, the 38mm Series 3 has a 563 sq mm display area, compared to the 40mm Series 4 with a 759 sq mm display area. This results in a 35 percent display size increase between generations. In essence, this means that the Series 4 packs more screen into what is nearly the same package as the Series 3, with slimmer bezels that are somewhat visually similar to the rounded corners of the iPhone X and iPhone XS.
The increased display area also results in increased resolution, with the 44mm Series 4 including 368x448 pixels, compared to 312x390 on the 42mm Series 3. The 40mm Series 4 has 324x394 pixels, while the 38mm Series 3 has 272x340 pixels. Thanks to all of these changes, app icons and fonts are now bigger and easier to read as well.
Case Size
Although the display sizes have been increased, there are minimal changes to the actual size of the cases for Apple Watch Series 4, despite the new measurements. 38mm in Series 3 and prior has become 40mm, and 42mm in Series 3 and prior has become 44mm, with both of these numbers representing the height of the Apple Watch Series 4 case.
This is a change that shouldn't be too noticeable, unless you're comparing the Series 4 with a previous generation model side-by-side. And don't worry about this update affecting your current band collection, as Apple made it clear during yesterday's keynote that all previous Apple Watch bands will fit with the Series 4 case.
Looking at the thinness, Apple Watch Series 4 is just under 1mm slimmer compared to Series 3. Series 4 measures in at 10.7mm thin, compared to 11.4mm thin for Series 3.
Processor
As expected with an Apple update, the Series 4 has received a beefed up processor in the form of the 64-bit dual-core S4 processor.
Apple says that this is up to two times faster than the S3 processor found on the Series 3, enabling the Series 4 to be speedier when opening apps and performing other functions.
Watch Faces
Exclusive to Apple Watch Series 4 are a collection of watch faces that take advantage of the enlarged displays to showcase as many as eight complications.
These complications have been enhanced to be more precise and provide more information, thanks to the increased display area.
There are also a few watch faces that will uniquely react to the edges of the Series 4's display, like Vapor, Liquid Metal, and Fire and Water.
Health
For the first time in a wearable device, you'll be able to take a full ECG reading on Apple Watch Series 4. Using electrodes built into the Digital Crown and a new electrical heart rate sensor in the back crystal, an included ECG app will perform a reading when you touch the Digital Crown and hold it for 30 seconds.
The app can classify if your heart is beating in a normal pattern or if there are signs of Atrial Fibrillation, which could hint at potential health complications. You'll be able to save your ECG recordings in the iOS Health app and create a PDF to share with your doctor. While Apple Watch has always been able to track your heart rate, the ECG app is a major update to Apple's wearable line.
The ECG app will be added to Apple Watch Series 4 later this year, and will only be available to customers in the United States at launch.
Tidbits
Below you'll find a quick list of features that are new and exclusive to Apple Watch Series 4, which are unavailable on Series 3 and prior devices. We've also listed everything that hasn't changed further down, one notable constant being 18-hour battery life.
Changes between Series 3 and Series 4:
Series 4 now includes haptic feedback on the Digital Crown
The black ceramic and sapphire crystal back allows radio waves to easily pass through Series 4 for better cellular service
The speaker on Series 4 is 50 percent louder
Apple has relocated the microphone so that it reduces echo for better sound quality on the receiving end of phone calls
With a new accelerometer and gyroscope, Series 4 can detect if you fall down and ask if emergency services should be alerted
The improved accelerometer can measure up to 32 g-forces, increased from up to 16 g-forces on Series 3
Series 4 has Apple's new W3 wireless chip instead of the previous generation W2
Connectivity improvements also include new Bluetooth 5.0, up from 4.2 on Series 3
Now all models have 16GB storage capacities, instead of just GPS + Cellular on Series 3
Second-generation optical heart sensor
No changes between Series 3 and Series 4:
Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery with an 18-hour battery life
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and GZSS
LTE and UMTS on GPS + Cellular models
802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
Barometric altimeter
Water resistance up to 50 meters
Ambient light sensor
Force Touch
Display with 1,000 nits brightness
Magnetic charging cable and USB power adapter included
If you're interested, Apple Watch Series 4 pre-orders will kick off at 12:01 a.m. PDT on September 14. Our pre-order post can help you figure out when pre-orders go up for you if you're in a different time zone. We also went hands-on with Apple Watch Series 4 after yesterday's "Gather Round" event, which you can read here.
Pre-orders for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 will kick off on Friday, September 14 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, allowing customers to purchase one of Apple's newly announced devices.
Apple is planning to make the new devices available in multiple countries around the world simultaneously, so we've created a list of when pre-orders will kick off all around the world.
Australia West - 3:01 p.m. AWST
Australia East - 5:01 p.m. AEST
Austria - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Belgium - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Canada West - 12:01 a.m. PDT
Canada East - 3:01 a.m. EDT
China - 3:01 p.m. CST
Denmark - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Finland - 10:01 a.m. EEST
France - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Germany - 9:01 a.m. CES
Guernsey - 8:01 a.m. BST
Hong Kong - 3:01 p.m. HKT
Ireland - 8:01 a.m. IST
Isle of Man - 8:01 a.m. BST
Italy - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Japan - 4:01 p.m. JST
Jersey - 8:01 a.m. BST
Luxembourg - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Mexico - 2:01 a.m. CDT
Netherlands - 9:01 a.m. CEST
New Zealand - 8:01 p.m. NZDT
Norway - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Portugal - 8:01 a.m. WEST
Puerto Rico - 3:01 a.m. AST
Saudi Arabia - 10:01 a.m. AST
Singapore - 3:01 p.m. SGT
Spain - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Sweden - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Switzerland - 9:01 a.m. CEST
Taiwan - 3:01 p.m. CST
UAE - 11:01 a.m GST
United Kingdom - 8:01 a.m. BST
United States West - 12:01 a.m. PDT
United States Mountain - 1:01 a.m. MDT
United States Central - 2:01 a.m. CDT
United States East - 3:01 a.m. EDT
US Virgin Islands - 3:01 a.m. AST
We haven't listed every time zone for every country, such as in Canada, Russia, and the United States, so make sure to double check your specific time zone so you're certain you know the exact time that pre-orders will kick off. A time zone converting website is a useful tool for confirming accurate pre-order times.
Rumors have not suggested that supplies of the iPhone XS and XS Max will be constrained, but it is always best to pre-order as soon as possible if you're aiming to get a new device on launch day.
We also haven't heard rumors about Apple Watch Series 4 supply, but given that this year introduces major changes like larger displays and ECG functionality, available supply could go quickly.
iPhone XS and XS Max pre-orders are available September 14 in first wave launch countries including 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, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
Pre-orders for the cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models are available in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and US.
Non-cellular Apple Watch Series 4 models are available for pre-order in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, UK, US and US Virgin Islands.
The first pre-orders for new iPhone and Apple Watch models will arrive on Friday, September 21, the official launch date for the iPhone XS, XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4.
We're doing a few special giveaways this week to celebrate the launch of the new 2018 iPhones, and we've teamed up with Pad & Quill to offer MacRumors winners a chance to win an iPhone case designed for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR.
Pad & Quill is refreshing its entire iPhone case lineup with new options for Apple's latest devices. The Luxury Pocket Book, Bella Fino, Heritage Bella Fino, and Traveler cases have all been updated for the new iPhones.
Bella Fino case for iPhone XS Max
All of Pad & Quill's cases are made from high-quality Full Grain American Leather with details hand-finished wood, marine-grade nylon stitching, and slim designs created to protect iPhones without adding unnecessary bulk. Many of the cases also come in multiple colors to suit a variety of tastes.
Luxury Book for iPhone XS Max
There are book-style cases with wallet options like the slim Bella Fino and Heritage Bella Fino ($89.95 to $99.95), and book-style cases with wood frames like the Luxury Book Wallet Case ($109.95) and the Heritage Pocket Book ($119.95), both of which look great and will develop a unique patina on the leather over time.
Bella Fino case for iPhone XR
The Bella Fino is the slimmer of the two cases because it holds the iPhone in place with a snap-on case, while the Luxury Book Wallet Case is thicker due to the wood frame.
Luxury Pocket Book for iPhone XS
For those looking for standard leather case, Pad & Quill has introduced the Traveler Leather Case ($59.95) for durable protection with a rugged look and no cover.
Traveler Case for iPhone XR
All of Pad & Quill's new case options for each of the new phones are listed below, along with pricing.
Pad & Quill's new iPhone cases can be pre-ordered starting today, with the new iPhone XS and XS Max cases shipping out to customers in October and the new iPhone XR cases shipping out to customers in early November.
We have 10 of the Pad & Quill cases to give away, with winners able to choose their favorite case for their new iPhone. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (September 13) at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 21. The winners will be chosen randomly on September 21 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
The debut of new Apple Watch models every year brings an assortment of non-customizable collections, which bundle in one case finish (Stainless Steel or Aluminum) with one band. If you're interested in the new Apple Watch Series 4, you'll have to purchase one of these collections in order to get the advantages of the Series 4's new and bigger display, thinner size, ECG monitor, and more.
Because of this, picking a specific model can be difficult, so we've decided to take a look at every Apple Watch Series 4 option that will be up for pre-order starting September 14 at 12:01 a.m. PDT. Prices are taken from Apple.com in the United States.
Regarding the new 40mm and 44mm case sizes, Apple has slightly increased the height of the Series 4 cases and updated the size options to reflect that change. As a rule of thumb, if you've worn 38mm Apple Watches in the past, go for 40mm in Series 4, and if you've previously worn 42mm cases, then the 44mm Series 4 should fit you well. All previous generation Apple Watch bands will fit with Apple Watch Series 4.
Alongside the collections, Apple has a number of new and sold-separately Apple Watch bands up for sale. New colors for the Fall 2018 band collection include Nectarine, Blue Horizon, and Lavender for Sport Band; Cape Cod Blue, Nectarine, Hibiscus, Storm Gray, and Indigo for Sport Loop; Peony Pink, Forest Green, Cape Cod Blue, and Ruby (PRODUCT)Red for Modern Buckle; and Forest Green and Cape Cod Blue for Leather Loop.
You can also purchase the new color blocked Hermès bands individually, starting at $339 for Single Tour and $489 for Double Tour. The new Gold Milanese Loop can be purchased on its own as well, available for $149. Head to Apple.com to check out all of these new Apple Watch bands.
In terms of pre-order dates, all models of the Apple Watch Series 4 will be up for pre-order beginning at 12:01 a.m. PDT on September 14. One week later on September 21, all Series 4 models except Nike+ will launch and begin arriving to pre-order customers.
While Apple Watch Nike+ pre-orders will also take place on September 14, the models will not officially launch until Friday, October 5. According to Apple's press release, these will also face "limited availability" on that date.
On launch day, Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS) will be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, and US Virgin Islands.
One week later on September 28, the GPS model will expand to Bahrain, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Guam, Hungary, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Macau, Monaco, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and South Africa.
The GPS + Cellular model will be available in the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UAE. Other countries will be added later this year.
MacRumors will have coverage of pre-orders for Apple Watch Series 4, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max as Apple.com goes live with the new devices at 12:01 a.m. PDT on September 14, so be sure to check back to our front page for all the latest details as you wait to place your orders.
Just over two months after Google updated the "Inbox by Gmail" app for iOS to support iPhone X, the company this week announced that it will discontinue the service at the end of March 2019.
Inbox by Gmail was an experimental email app, offering users features like snoozing emails to check later, Smart Reply, high-priority notifications, and more. The company says that in the four years of the app's life it has "learned a lot about how to make email better," adding some of the most popular Inbox features directly into its main Gmail client.
Because of this, and to maintain a "more focused approach," Google will shutter Inbox by Gmail and focus entirely on Gmail.
Four years after launching Inbox in 2014, we've learned a lot about how to make email better—and we’ve taken popular Inbox experiences and added them into Gmail to help more than a billion people get more done with their emails everyday. As we look to the future, we want to take a more focused approach that will help us bring the best email experience to everyone. As a result, we’re planning to focus solely on Gmail and say goodbye to Inbox by Gmail at the end of March 2019.
In an effort to help users transition from Inbox to Gmail, the company has set up a new guide on its support website. Google says that the new Gmail, which launched in April, will be a nice home for former Inbox users since it incorporates many of the same features as Inbox, as well as some new ones.
The Apple Watch Series 4 officially launches on Friday, September 21 in the first wave of countries, but like last year, customers interested in Nike+ models will have to wait a couple of weeks longer.
In fine print, Apple announced that new Series 4 models of Apple Watch Nike+ will be available in limited quantities starting Friday, October 5, although Apple Watch Nike+ pre-orders still start tomorrow, September 14, like regular Series 4 models.
The new Apple Watch Nike+ devices come with all the features new to the Series 4 models, including a larger screen, thinner body, a (currently U.S-only) ECG reader, fall detection, and more.
In addition, the Nike+ collection features redesigned Nike watch faces that match to the new band colors, including a Pure Platinum/Black Sport Band and a Summit White Sport Loop with reflective yarn.
Apple Watch Nike+ comes in four styles in both 40mm and 44mm sizes, with both cellular and Wi-Fi + GPS only models to choose from:
Apple Watch Nike+ models are priced between $399 and $499 in the United States. Additional Nike+ bands are $49 each.
Launch countries include Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macau, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, the U.K., and the U.S.
As expected with an Apple update, the Series 4 has received a beefed up processor in the form of the 64-bit dual-core S4 processor. 
